ב"ה
Ki Tavo
Seasons of the Soul
Advice for Life from Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov
Brief snippets of advice on Love, Providence, Faults, The Simpleton, Your Fellow, and more...
Brief snippets of advice on Love, Providence, Faults, The Simpleton, Your Fellow, and more...
Love Your Fellow Jew
The Baal Shem Tov's revolution was not in the discovery of this universal truth, but in the "depth of heart and fire of soul" that he revealed within this profound mitzvah, which changed the face of Judaism for all time to come.
The Baal Shem Tov's revolution was not in the discovery of this universal truth, but in the "depth of heart and fire of soul" that he revealed within this profound mitzvah, which changed the face of Judaism for all time to come.
The Synchronous Universe of the Baal Shem Tov
Many a scholarly mind of his day found the notion absurd. That G‑d cared about the righteous deeds of those who did His will, that they understood. But why on earth would a great G‑d care about a fallen leaf in some forsaken forest?
Many a scholarly mind of his day found the notion absurd. That G‑d cared about the righteous deeds of those who did His will, that they understood. But why on earth would a great G‑d care about a fallen leaf in some forsaken forest?
Parshah
When Bad Is Good
Amongst those who commit themselves to the belief that everything is coming from G‑d and therefore is good, there are two levels...
Amongst those who commit themselves to the belief that everything is coming from G‑d and therefore is good, there are two levels...
Two Aspects of Thanksgiving
The first approach reflects the depth of one’s faith. The second, steeped in intellect, may lack the spontaneity and power of the first, but truly penetrates the entire personality of the individual.
The first approach reflects the depth of one’s faith. The second, steeped in intellect, may lack the spontaneity and power of the first, but truly penetrates the entire personality of the individual.
Limitations and Freedom
When the farmer brings the fruit in a simple wicker basket, the basket too is considered part of the sacred offering.
When the farmer brings the fruit in a simple wicker basket, the basket too is considered part of the sacred offering.
Spiritual Security
Besides material support for the war effort, and in addition to tanks and fighter jets, Israel also needed spiritual support. There is a spiritual defense system, too, said the Rebbe
Besides material support for the war effort, and in addition to tanks and fighter jets, Israel also needed spiritual support. There is a spiritual defense system, too, said the Rebbe
How the Chassidic Revolution Shook Society
A culture of emotional comatoseness and lethargy plagued Jewish living, until the Baal Shem Tov inspired a mass “re-Jew-venation.”
A culture of emotional comatoseness and lethargy plagued Jewish living, until the Baal Shem Tov inspired a mass “re-Jew-venation.”
I'm a Jewish Body Part
The "personal" mitzvah of Bikkurim teaches that even as we explore our individual path towards G‑d, our personal journey and destiny is deeply intertwined with, and part of the process and progress of our nation.
The "personal" mitzvah of Bikkurim teaches that even as we explore our individual path towards G‑d, our personal journey and destiny is deeply intertwined with, and part of the process and progress of our nation.
Jewish Stories
The New Year's Card
As weeks turned into months, it seemed that my relationship with Yetta was over. I was soon proven wrong. One day, I received an official envelope in the mail from the city hospital Yetta lived in. The letter was headed, "Dear Family Member of Yetta G."
As weeks turned into months, it seemed that my relationship with Yetta was over. I was soon proven wrong. One day, I received an official envelope in the mail from the city hospital Yetta lived in. The letter was headed, "Dear Family Member of Yetta G."
Check Out My Room
“This,” they declared, in contrast to how most people thought a home should be furnished, “is interior decorating.”
“This,” they declared, in contrast to how most people thought a home should be furnished, “is interior decorating.”
The Singing Heart
The Baal Shem Tov told them to shut their eyes. Then he placed his right hand on the shoulder of the disciple to his right, and his left on the disciple sitting there. The circle was closed…
The Baal Shem Tov told them to shut their eyes. Then he placed his right hand on the shoulder of the disciple to his right, and his left on the disciple sitting there. The circle was closed…
Hidden and Revealed
The holy beggar's face was transformed. His eyes began to glow with a divine light, and his coarse features assumed a sublime grace...
The holy beggar's face was transformed. His eyes began to glow with a divine light, and his coarse features assumed a sublime grace...
G-d's Nourishment
Dressed in the clothes of a simple wayfarer, the Baal Shem Tov would travel from town to town and from hamlet to hamlet, asking questions
Dressed in the clothes of a simple wayfarer, the Baal Shem Tov would travel from town to town and from hamlet to hamlet, asking questions
Chassidic Thought
Perpetual Joy
From the very inception of chassidism, in fact, perpetual joy was one of the primary distinguishing characteristics of the chassid.
From the very inception of chassidism, in fact, perpetual joy was one of the primary distinguishing characteristics of the chassid.
Living
Refine Your Search For a Soulmate
Your soulmate is the other half of your soul, the missing part of your very being. You can only recognize your soulmate if you first get to know your own soul...
Your soulmate is the other half of your soul, the missing part of your very being. You can only recognize your soulmate if you first get to know your own soul...
Sounds of Silence
When we get to the climax of the prayer service, the top rung of the ladder, the Amida, what do we hear? Nothing. Just lips moving. But why? Why, after all the hub-bub, when we get to the heart of our personal conversation with G-d, do we finally go silent?
When we get to the climax of the prayer service, the top rung of the ladder, the Amida, what do we hear? Nothing. Just lips moving. But why? Why, after all the hub-bub, when we get to the heart of our personal conversation with G-d, do we finally go silent?
Bad Parenting Days
Parenting brings out the best – and the worst – in everyone. No matter how much we love our children, we will find ourselves saying and doing things that we later regret...
Parenting brings out the best – and the worst – in everyone. No matter how much we love our children, we will find ourselves saying and doing things that we later regret...
A Heavenly Destination
It's an uphill battle and the journey is long, but the end is in sight and the destination is heavenly.
It's an uphill battle and the journey is long, but the end is in sight and the destination is heavenly.
Mitzvahs & Traditions
The Jewish Birthday
What is a Jewish birthday? ... What happened on your birthday? ... How to celebrate your Jewish birthday ... Jewish birthday calculator …
What is a Jewish birthday? ... What happened on your birthday? ... How to celebrate your Jewish birthday ... Jewish birthday calculator …
Moving to a New Home
Thinking of moving? Judaism offers insight on where to move, and there are several traditions and customs associated with new homes.
Thinking of moving? Judaism offers insight on where to move, and there are several traditions and customs associated with new homes.
The Prohibition Against Living in Egypt
The return of the Jews to Egypt would be an affront to G‑d, who specifically saved us from slavery there and removed us from there...
The return of the Jews to Egypt would be an affront to G‑d, who specifically saved us from slavery there and removed us from there...
The Jewish Woman
I Don't Know How to Pray!?
The few brief words I say out loud into the air, I hope are going to be heard by the Cosmic Source of the Universe.
The few brief words I say out loud into the air, I hope are going to be heard by the Cosmic Source of the Universe.
Not Boiling Over
I would hate to think that one day my children will grow up and feel inferior because they can't do something on their own. I would be devastated if they don't turn to me to ask for advice or assistance because I taught them that they had to be perfect and to do everything by themselves...
I would hate to think that one day my children will grow up and feel inferior because they can't do something on their own. I would be devastated if they don't turn to me to ask for advice or assistance because I taught them that they had to be perfect and to do everything by themselves...
The deeper significance of "May G-d add to me another son" (Rachel's words upon the birth of Joseph, Genesis 30:24) is: may this child merit to transform an "other" into a "son"
— Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch ("Tzemach Tzeddek", 1789-1866)
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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