Daily Insights by Rabbi Eli Silberstein: Recent Episodes
Rabbi Eli Silberstein
Daily Insights on Chasidic Thought, Halacha, Stories, Parsha, Nach, Mishnah, Talmud, Halacha, Holidays and Niggunim by Rabbi Eli Silberstein
Geshmake pshat of Reb Yitzchok of Vurke re the praise given to Aharon for not deviating from Hashem’s instructions when lighting the Menorah
Some beautiful thoughts and stories by Chidushei Horim and the Kotzker on the issue of the מתאוננים - The Complainers
Why polishe tzadikim established parshas Para as an auspicious time for a chossid to be by his rebbe
Why no Jew entertained the possibility of converting out during the threat of Haman - Maamar of the rebbe
Beautiful Chasam Sofer re the Choshen’s function in answering questions for the Jewish ppl during Moshe’s lifetime
Reb Akiva Egers question about the paid custodians liability and its spiritual implications
What’s the meaning of chazal that the Torah should be like it’s new every day? - maamar of the rebbe
בני השפחות משעבדים בהם ושמחים בצרתם - רש״יWhy does Rashi have to add that they rejoiced in the troubles of the Jewish ppl?
‘Esav should be well compensated for his services’ - Previous Rebbe - related to the מעשי השם
Great pshat from sefer מעשי השם on the meaning of the Exodus being ביד חזקה - with a mighty hand
The excrements of Yitzchok’s donkeys are preferred over the gold and silver of Avimelech
The amazing story with Baal Shem Tov and the bishop and the reason Reb Pinchos Koritzer didnt recite Tachnun on the 3rd of Kislev
Rosh Chodesh Kislev in tanach according to Chasam Sofer is a day of atonement like Yom Kippur.
The Riziner brought healing to the sick with his mind, while the Belzer with his hands - great story
A creative way to connect the disobedience of the Earth with the sin of the Etz Hadaas based on the principle of אין שליח לדבר עבירה
Why would the Nations of the world, according to Rashi, accuses us as committing theft? Didn’t all nations engage in conquest?
The שמחה of Elul - Rebbe׳s fascinating explanation as to why there’s no mitzva for שמחה on אלול as we have on a יום טוב
Beautiful pshat of the great Tzadik ר׳ מנדל בארער on שלח תשלח את האם- recorded by the צמח צדק
The reason for why Eidim Zomemin don’t require warning, like in the case of other crimes
רבינו בחיי and Reb Levi Yitzchok’s interpretation of the possuk לשמש ולירח אשר לא צויתי
How does the 15th of the month -a full moon- represent a time of deep connection with Hashem
2 anecdotes with the Baal Shem Tov where he offered 2 different interpretations of the possuk in Echa זכור ה׳ מה הי׳ לנו, הביטה וראה את חרפתינו - cited in a maamar of the Previous Rebbe
The Alter Rebbes profound explanation of the contradictions regarding הכל בידי שמים חוץ מיראת שמים
ויאמינו בה׳ ובמשה עבדו - Remarkable explanation of the בעש״ט about our relationship with Moshe and what Chazal mean לגבי משה מילתא זוטרתא היא - cited in תולדות יעקב יוסף
Two fascinating perspectives on הכל בידי שמים חוץ מיראת שמים - Nodah Beyehudah and Chidishei Horim
A valuable lesson as how to avert antisemitism from the כלי יקר on the possuk פנו לכם צפונה
Kli Yokor on Moshes description of how the Jews approached him requsting that he send spies to Eretz Yisroel
Why did Moshe mention in the beginning of דברים the controversy of Korach before the Egel - didnt the Egel happen first? - great insight by Rebbe Reb Heshel of Krakow
Beautiful story re the Rashi in the parsha ‘anyone who teaches Torah to his friend’s child, is as if he bore him’
Gevaldiger pshat from the Kotzker as to why Hashem rewarded a Goy who honored his father with a פרה אדומה
Interesting discussion in Halacha by the Chida as to the status of Reb Zeira after he was revived
Beautiful insight of the Rebbe as to why מגילת אסתר will remain relevant after ימות המשיח
A marvelous insight from the great Gaon Rene Tzvi Hirsh the Rov of Halberstat on שים באזני יהושע and מגילת אסתר
Amazing insight from the Heiliger Riziner on why Shaul said to Shmuel הקימותי את דבר השם
Nice pshat from Reb Naftoli Ropshitzer on מאת כל איש אשר ידבנו לבו - being vested in the moment
The ירושלמי says that תשים לפניהם is referring to secrets of the Torah. What do secrets of Torah have to do with laws like משפטים?
A great story about the Baal Shem Tov and the possuk Mechasheifa lo Sechayeh - told by the Shaarei Tshuva
Humerus story with the great scholar Reb Mordechai Banett re to the possuk לכלב תשליכו אותו
A beautiful halachic explanation by the Kotzker Rebbe as to the difference between a slave who dies within 24 hours of his master’s beatings and one who dies after that.
Beautiful story with Reb Nochum Tchernobeler and Reb Zushe - related to the parsha ויחזו את האלוקים ויאכלו וישתו
Powerful maamar of the Rebbevas to why the menorah itself needs to be outside rather than shining out from within
A הלכה discussion as to how the sale of Esav׳s בכורה to Yaakov was valid - isnt it a sale of a דבר שלא בא לעולם?
The amazing story with Baal Shem Tov and the bishop and the reason Reb Pinchos Koritzer didnt recite Tachnun on the 3rd of Kislev
Amazing lesson by the mekubal Reb Avrohom Azulay from Yitzchoks reaction to Esav after realizing that Yaakov got the Brochos
beautiful Maharal on the struggle of Rome with Israel - corresponding to the struggle of Yaakov and Esav - why are the garments of Esav so central to this story?
Rosh Chodesh Kislev in tanach according to Chasam Sofer is a day of atonement like Yom Kippur.
The encounter of Shimon the heretic and the Alter Rebbe - the lesson the Alter Rebbe taught him about ויחרד יצחק חרדה גדולה
Interesting insight by the Beis Halevi on why Eliezer changed the wording of Avrohom - ולקחת אשה לבני
fascinating story in the gemoro about the Cave of Avrohom and Sara - and its deeper meaning according to chassidus
Great lesson about love in marriage from the marriage of Yitzchok and Rivka by Reb Levi Yitzchok of Barditchev - ותהי לו לאשה ויאהבה
When humility becomes a source of egotism - Great interpretation on the last possuk of Vayeara by the Baal Shem Tov - ופילגשו ושמה ראומה
Fascinating Zohar: when Avrohom tried to burry Sara, Adam and Chava tried to stop him. Why?
Beautiful insight by the Kotzker Rebbe re Eliezer’s hope that Avrohom would consider his daughter as a suitable match for Yitzchok.
An awesome story with the Rebbe Rashab related to yesterday’s hafTorah- in honor of chof cheshvan
A great story about Reb Meir Shapira told by his student Reb Pinchos Hirshprung based on the story of the Akeidah
How did Avrohom know that providing hospitality is greater than having a rendezvous with Hashem?
nice insight from Reb Bunim of Pershischa about Hashem visiting Avrohom while he is sick
The question the Holy Riziner asked the Alter Rebbe as a 9 year old and the TT’s answer
A fascinating explanation by the צמח צדק of the science of earthquakes, based on השמים כסאי והארץ הדום רגלי
When Titus pierced the פרוכת with his sword, blood emerged - what’s the meaning of this?
Why did Reb Yehuda hanasi want to suspend the fast of tisha beav on a year when it fell on shabbos? Why not on the 17th of Tammuz? Interesting Chasam Sofer
A story of the Arizal and his Talmid Reb Shmuel Uzido, author of מדרש שמואל על פרקי אבות
Awesome story about the Arizal and the great mekubel Reb Moshe Galanty from Tsfas - told by the Shinever Rov
Beautiful story with the great sage Reb Avrohom Abishel from Frankfurt about the sanctity of a promise and the meaning of ככל היוצא מפיו יעשה
A moving incident i witnessed on the very first Gimmel Tamuz while standing on Eastern Parkway along with tens of thousands of Jews from all walks of life
Beautiful story the Previous Rebbe tells about the Alter Rebbe’s Chossid Reb Isaac of Vitebsk
A wolf or a lion? The beis hamikdash is called both. A fascinating insight from the rebbe Maharash
The story the צמח צדק tells in a maamar re the power of an unrealized positive thought complementing the thoughtless action of another
The fiery words by the Piaseczno Rebbe in the Warsaw Ghetto re the connection between the Akedah and the Holocaust
The post Holocaust debate amongst rabbonim whether widows from the Holocaust should remarry
Understanding the nature of the Jew’s relationship with Hashem is key to understanding martyrdom
Are Jews killed during the Holocaust, who did not lead a life of תורה ומצוות, called martyrs (קדושים)?
Fascinating insight from חידושי הרים as to why the Egyptians drove us out in such a hurry that we couldn’t even prepare our food for the road.
An awesome story with the Rebbe Rashab - in honor of Beis Nissan (Was posted already on Chof cheshvan)
The remarkable insight of יונתן בן עוזיאל that from the time of Creation until the Exodus, תשרי was the first month of the year
Beautiful story and insight with Rebbe Maharash and the great Gaon the Malbim regarding preoccupation with physical vs. spiritual matters
Beautiful story with Alter Rebbe who described how the process of bringing a korban to the Beis Hamikdash caused a person to do tshuva
The deeper meaning in עבודת ה׳ in the possuk כי יתן איש אל רעהו כסף או כלים - from שפת אמת
The deeper spiritual meaning of the meaning of עבד עברי as opposed to an עבד של עברי - a beautiful maamar of the rebbe
Beautiful pshat from Reb Bunim of Pershischa on why Hashem told Moshe not to add anything to His when delivering to בני ישראל
The Alter Rebbe said that מתן תורה can only happen once in history. The Rebbe explains why.
Does writing have the same halachic status as speaking, re שבועה or ברכת התורה etc? ויאמר אל משה
The ראש השנה of trees is on the 15th, while the ראש השנה of grains and vegetables is at the beginning of the month - fascinating maamar
What does the possuk אמר אויב ארדוף אשיג וגו have to do with the שירה which is full of שבח for Hashem? Baal Shem Tov
The one who believes in Moshe believes in Hashem, a remarkable insight from the Baal Shem Tov on ויאמינו בה׳ ובמשה עבדו
How did the hands of Moshe influence the outcome of the war against Amolek? Reb Pinchos Koritzer
Why is the Mitzvah of קידוש החודש the first Mitzvah and how it serves as the foundation for all of תורה שבעל פה
A Talmudic discussion as to status of the new month in case Bes din abstains from declaring it
The assertion of the Rambam, based on the mitzvah of Kiddush Hachodesh, that there will always be Jews living in Eretz Yisroel
Beautiful insight of Chasam Sofer re the nusach of the blessings of shema - what the famous Lithuanian Rosh yeshiva Reb Yechezkel Abramsky told the Previous Rebbe - the difference between love and trust
Beautiful insight from Kedushas Levi as to how it’s possible for the same light of Hashem to serve as a source of darkness to Egyptians and light for the Jewish ppl
Moshe was afraid of פרעה, so was יעקב when faced עשו. Neither of should have says the מדרש
The Mekubal Reb Shimshon Ostropoler the deeper meaning in Rashis words ביקש לגלות את הקץ ונסתלקה ונסתלקה ממנו שכינה
The Midrash says that Yaakov didn’t reveal the קץ to his sons because the letters קץ are missing in their names
ויעש לאביו אבל שבעת ימים Why we don’t learn the Mitzvah of Aveilus for 7 days from Yosef?
The Zohar says that the 10 הרוגי מלכות where a punishment for sale of Yosef, despite Yosef’s claim that it was all לטובה
If someone intends to do an עבירה but it materializes instead into a מצוה, does this person need forgiveness for his evil intentions? אתם חשבתם לרעה והאלוקים חשבה לטובה
How the 2 views of the power of Chanukah lights reflects a fundamental difference between Kabbalah and chassidus
The difference between Kaballah and chassidus in understanding the power of the Chanukah lights
Rochel stole her father’s idols, Avrohom broke them, yet Rochel was punished while Avrohom wasn’t - what’s the difference?
Why did Shimon and Levi kill the entire city of Shchem if only one person was guilty? - Rambam Ramban and Or Hachaim Hakodosh. Does one country have the right to intervene and punish another for committing crimes against their own citizens?
Powerful thought of Reb levi Yitzchok of berditchev on why the angel that struggled with Yaakov had to say Shira -song to Hashem - exactly at that moment
Nice vort of the Avnei Nezer as to the meaning of the 2 opinions in chazal whether the angel appeared to Yaakov like a non Jew or like a Talmid Chacham
Surrogate motherhood in this parsha- who’s the real mother according to Halacha? We can learn from the story in this parsha a possible answer.
Nice insight from Beis Halevi on the Midrash that says that וילך חרנה is a reference to גלות
Why did Yaakov marry after he labored the 7 years for Lovon, but married Rochel before starting the 7 years? - nice halachic explanation by Ponim Yofos
A great story with Reb Pinchos Koritzer about the right chemistry in a marriage for bearing children - based on this week’s parsha
How Avrohom was allowed to keep Shabbos? Wasn’t he a בן נח who’s forbidden to keep shabbos?
An awesome story with the Rebbe Rashab related to yesterday’s hafTorah- in honor of chof cheshvan
why did Avrohom refuse to take gifts from the king of sdom but didnt mind taking from Paroh - shlah hakadosh
Why would Avrohom even think of seeking the advice of Mamre whether he should circumcise?!
Inspiring thought from Reb Nachman Horodenker, student of the Baal Shem Tov, about Sara’s treatment of Hagar - cited by Degel machne Efraim
How to navigate through difficult dilemmas in ones life - Kedushas levi on the word אראך
Shouldn’t avrohom have chosen to die rather than subject sara to adultery?!- Reb Yonoson Eibeshetz and the Rebbe
the souls they made in charan- beautiful story about reb pinchos raizes a chossid of the Mitler Rebbe
How would the miracle that happened to the pagan king of Sedom strengthen the belief in Avrohom’s miracle
Why the holy Rizhener refused to save his life by changing his last name while running from czar’s soldiers - לך לך מבית אביך
The third incredible story the previous Rebbe tells re the relationship of the Riziner and the Tzemach Tzedek
A story about the Riziner told by the Tzemach Tzedek - Tonight is Yartzeit of the heiliger Riziner - this shabbos is the yartzeit of the holy Rizhener
A fascinating story with Reb Levi Yitzchok with a Jew who lost his money - told by Reb Yankele
Beautiful story with Reb Levi Yitzchok of Barditchev- told by the Previous Rebbe on Lag Baomer 5699. Tonight is the yartzeit of Reb Levi Yitzchok
The first possuk in בראשית tells us the foundation of our עבודה in this world - a maamar of the rebbe.
Beautiful description of previous rebbe about the body’s ‘workout’ during dancing on simchas torah and how it prepares the body for its workout in daily life during the year
Awesome story that happened with the previous Rebbe in 1939 on the night of Simchas Torah in Warsaw, during the Nazi bombardment of the city
awesome sicho of previous rebbe about the jews who came back home after spending sukkos with shlomo hamelech in the first beis hamikdosh - the haftorah of shmini atzeres
The difference in approach between other chassidic sources and Chabad re the uniqueness of Hoshana Rabbah. The brochos from Above vs. the Avodah of the Jew.
Gevaldig pshat of the Rebbe Maharash related to תפילת גשם in the words יחד לב וגל אבן מפי באר מים
Fascinating evidence From the Natural Growth of the Arovo For the Absolute Self Effacement of the Simple Jew Who Has Neither Taste Nor Fragrance
Geshmaker insight in the first משנה in 3rd perek of סוכה that לולב הגזול פסול - from the sefer תפארת שלמה
How Sukkah and Lulav celebrate 2 different aspects of our relationship with Hashem - A fascinating interplay between the Halachic (Nigleh) aspects of those mitzvas and their Mystical dimensions
Fascinating Halachic question about a jew who built a sukkah in a concentration camp shortly before sundown on Erev Sukkos and ate a Kezayis after dark and immediately deconstructed the sukkah
Fantastic story with a Jew who turned his hat into a Sukkah and Holy Rizhener’s reaction
Stirring melody by Reb Pinchos Koritzer on the words אמנם כן, יצר סוכן, בנו בך להצדק, רב צדק ועננו סלחתי
Heart stirring nigun on words of erev Yom Kippur slichos (Chabad doesn't say it). It's from one of the Dzikever Rebbes in Poland. The first Dzikever was a son of Reb Naftoli of Ropshitz. Many polish Rebbes used to sing it during the erev Yom Kippur feast.
Here are the powerful words:
ירצה צום עמך / אשר דמו לך מזה
חשוב חלבו כעל זבח / וקרבנו אל תבזה
חתום עליו אות חיים / ותפילתו תחזה
מחר יהיה האות הזה:
צדקתך התאזר / שוכן עד ומרומם
סמך נא הנכשלים / שלח ידך להקימם
אשר דמעם שקויים / ואנחתם היא לחמם
ותנקום דם עבדיך / מאויביך עד תומם
ותדרוש לשפך דמם / לדעת מה זה ועל מה זה
מחר יהיה האות הזה:
חנון חון עמך / אשר לשמך הוא מאמין
סנגור עלי תמנה / אשר חטאתי יטמין
וחובי בשמאל יכמין / זכותי תעלה בימין
ואפר יצחק יזמין / אשר יאמר כי הוא זה
מחר יהיה היום הזה:
קרב ושמע רנתי / לזעקי תפתח שער
לזכות את חטאתי / כמו בן שנה נער
ותחסום לשון משטיני / ואת פיהו לא יפער
יְיָ בשטן יגער / קום רד מהר מזה
מחר יהיה האות הזה:
במה אקדם ואכף / פני לא יקח שחד
ובידי אין מעש / ועל זאת לבי יפחד
אבל בזכרי מלכות / יחוד שם המיוחד
על זאת אני בוטח / באומרים יְיָ אחד
ומושכים כולם יחד / מזה אחד ומזה
מחר יהיה האות הזה:
ראה אין מכפר בעדי / ואין סודר לי סדר
ובגדי לבן אַיִן / ואֵין לובש האדר
וגם אין קרבן חובה / ולא נדבה ונדר
ואתה תכפר עלי / בוחן כליות וָחֵדֶר
גדור פרצת צאנך / ושים רוח לעדר
ותבנה למו גדר / מזה וגדר מזה
מחר יהיה האות הזה:
צל קורתך באו / בנים אשר נגרשו
ביתך כנתועדו / רעשו וגם נתגעשו
חסד אבותם תזכור / עת לריב יגשו
אמת ושלום נפגשו / גם את זה לעומת זה
מחר יהיה האות הזה:
An ערב יום כיפור story of a tailor, an officer and a fish - from the מדרש and it’s deeper meaning as explained by כלי יקר, חתם סופר and חסידות
Remarkable explanation by the Tzemach Tzedek as to why Kol Nidre became the introduction to the whole mood of Yom Kippur
Beautiful story with the holy Rizhener who met a simple Jew who saved the jewish community through his simple and sincere prayer - וסלחת לעוונינו כי רב הוא
What’s a shabbosdik tshuva - the Tzemach Tzedeks explanation to his grandchild the Rashab
Amazing insight from the Barditchever on why we mention in מלכיות the psukim from כתובים first
The dramatic story of Reb Shaye Bardeki who was forced to swim to the shore of Yafo with his 2 children and the cry of ‘Tatte!!!’ From his little daughter that saved her life - profound lesson for Rosh Hashana
Inspiring tosafos in Rosh Hashana 17b that Reb Mendel of Rimanov asked every erev RH for his Gabai to announce in shul
How the שבועה of the נשמה is the key to the עבודה of ראש השנה in making hashem a מלך over the entire Creation- Rebbe’s Maamar
Awesome story told by the Tzemach Tzedek in a maamar about a dream Reb zushe had where the Baal Hatosffos Rabbeinu Yitzchok explained to him a line in the machzor of Rosh hashono. והוא באחד ומי ישיבנו ונפשו איותה ויעש נורא וקדוש.
My memories of Reb Nissan's davening on the first night of Rosh Hashana - his crying and his singing.
Story of the Alter Rebbe who said that he davened rosh hashana with a shtender- the Rebbes explanation
Gevaldig story about Chasam Sofer and his Rebbe Reb Noson Adler about how to have שמחה של מצוה
The בעל שם טוב explains how Hashem speaks to us many times every day, asking us to do תשובה
Beautiful nigun song by the famous chossid Reb avrohom mayor to the words in the rosh hashana davening 'gaavoso godlo'
What prayer did Avrohom Avinu say on Har Hamoryiah? - מי שענה לאברהם אבינו בהר המורי׳. The Shelah Hakodosh and the Maharsha
why is Tishrei referred to in מדרש as the Month of the Oath - ירחא דשבועתא? Fascinating insight of the צמח צדק
Fantastic story with the first Belzer Rov, the Sar Sholom of Belz, during motze shabbos slichos
Story about previous Rebbe, Rebbe Rashab and Reb Chaim Brisker’s father. The battles each one fights within his own yetzer horah effects the physical wars across the world
Introduction to שערי תשובה. Daily dose about תשובה based on the Mitteler Rebbe’s sefer שערי תשובה
The Kloyzenburger Rebbes humorous comment on Reb Akiva’s statement that he once witnessed a pagan who tied up His own father and fed him to his dog (cited in Rashi)
The Chasam Sofer’s novel idea that when eating meat at night and one goes to sleep, one does not have to wait 6 hours before drinking milk because digestion is expedited when one sleeps. But he was proven wrong
Fascinating Or Hachaim Hakodosh on how the act of killing an entire city of idol worshippers - עיר הנידחת - will not effect our character
Gevaldig insight and story on how to give tzedaka - Reb Meir Shapiro and Reb Shmelke of Nikleshburg
ויאמינו בה׳ ובמשה עבדו - Remarkable explanation of the בעש״ט about our relationship with Moshe and what Chazal mean לגבי משה מילתא זוטרתא היא - cited in תולדות יעקב יוסף
The Alter Rebbes profound explanation of the contradictions regarding הכל בידי שמים חוץ מיראת שמים
Two fascinating perspectives on הכל בידי שמים חוץ מיראת שמים - Nodah Beyehudah and Chidishei Horim
ועתה ישראל מה ה׳ אלוקיך שואל מעמך כי אם ליראה את ה׳ אלוקיך Beautiful pshat by Mezricher Magid, cited in Basi Legani 5727
A beautiful insight from the third Belzer Rov, Reb Yissochor Dov, on the words in the Kaddish that Hashem is לעילא מן כל ברכתא ... ונחמתא- what does it mean that Hashem is above all consolations? Related to נחמו נחמו
Powerful essay of the Rebbe written in Vichy France 1940, under Nazi occupation re the Midrash in Eicha on the possuk נחמו נחמו עמי that the Jewish Nation חטאה בכפליים, לקתה בכפליים נחמה בכפליים
The 2 levels of Tshuva mentioned the parsha ואתחנן by the Or Hachaim and a deep lesson re the true level of Tshuva by the Rebbe
A valuable lesson as how to avert antisemitism from the כלי יקר on the possuk פנו לכם צפונה
Powerful insight from the Rebbe’s maamar on the story that when Titus pierced the Paroches blood came out
Powerful Midrash and commentary of Tzemach Tzedek on חטא חטאה ירושלים - why our sins are more devastating than the sins of the other Nations
The connection between Yom Kippur and Tisha Beav -from Tzemach Tzedek on the possuk in Echa טומאתה בשולי׳
Great insight from Kedushas Levi into the relationship of tshuva and the concept of ‘Now’ - אין ועתה אלא לשון תשובה. The meaning of השיבינו השם וגו׳ חדש ימינו
Incredible Kedushas Levi: the fact that Eretz Yisroel was deserted and never successfully rebuilt by foreign governments is the best evidence that the land is forever ours. The meaning of אתה השם לעולם תשב וגו׳ שועלים הלכו בו
Geshmake Tzemach Tzedek on the relationship between pesach and Tisha Beav. They fall always on the same day of the week. 2 types of love. The one of Tisha Beav is greater!
Fascinating Tzemach Tzedek re Midrash that Yeshayahu cured the harsh prophecies of Yirmiayahu איכה = 36 אלה = 36
Beautiful moshol of the Mezricher Magid on the Shechinah being more accessible in times of darkness. כל רודפי׳ השיגוהבין המצרים
2 anecdotes with the Baal Shem Tov where he offered 2 different interpretations of the possuk in Echa זכור ה׳ מה הי׳ לנו, הביטה וראה את חרפתינו - cited in a maamar of the Previous Rebbe
Story about the Arizal and the great mekubel Reb Moshe Galanty from Tsfas - told by the Shinever Rov
A remarkable insight from the Alter Rebbe as to the difference in opportunities in the physical world vs those in Gan Eden
What is Rosh Chodesh? Why does Hashem need atonement? Beautiful Sforno and Tzemach Tzedek
Incredible pshat from first Belzer Rov on Rashi’s comment that Pinchos ‘raged the rage that Hashem should have had’.
The Or Hachaim’s beautiful explanation as to how a רשע could voice such holy prophecies
Fascinating insight of the Baal Shem Tov as to how a defiled individual like Bilam became a vehicle to such holy prophecies
Why did the מלאך tell בלעם that he will not succeed at cursing the Jews because they observe שלוש רגלים? Why not other מצוות?
Incredible letter of the Rebbe to his father Reb Levik proving from Bilam’s attempt to curse the Jews, that the sefardic pronunciation of a vowelless ע at the end of a word is correct.
Amazing story of the great Mesiras Nefesh of the Previous Rebbe as a young man when his father sent him on a highly dangerous mission
Why is מיתת צדיקים compared to פרה אדומה and not to regular קרבנות that also serve as a כפרה? - amazing פנים יפות
An עמלקי who dresses like a כנעני, is he still an עמלקי? - A powerful thought from Reb Pinchos Koritzer - student of the Baal Shem Tov - on the critical effect garments have on our minds and identities
This is the חוקה of the Torah - דא גזירת אורייתא - Torah as a force that destroys evil - דגל מחנה אפרים
Great pshat from עוללות אפרים (author of כלי יקר) as to how פרה אדומה cleanses away the חטא העגל - as Rashi says תבא אמה ותקנח את הצואה
Why did the clouds disappear when Aharon died - a scientific explanation the Rizhiner gave to a non jewish scientist
Beautiful story with Baal Shem Tov, told by Reb Mendel Futerfas - wealth and honor is in the hands of Hashem
Great story with the holy Riziner related to this parsha - וימאן אדום נתן את ישראל עבר בגבולו
An astonishing פנים יפות claims that 24,000 died in the מגיפה and Chasam Sofer’s effort to explain
Great stories about Jewish leaders who’d be ready to sacrifice everything to help a Jew connect with Hashem
The Gemoro says that Korach suspected Moshe of adultery. How’s that even possible?- Maharal offers a great pshat
Incredible vort of the Chesed Leavrohom - The Kabbalist Reb Avrohom Azulay- on why Moshe and Aharon fell on their faces when they prayed for the Jewish ppl
How could Aharon bring קטורת outside the the משכן? There’s an איסור of מקטיר קטורת בחוץ?
Understanding the בעל ההפלאה opinion re התראה by probing the underlying reason for התראה
The astonishing חידוש of the בעל הפלאה in פנים יפות that the מקושש was warned in the middle of the מלאכה
Why is Yehoshua’s name Bin Nun rather than Ben Nun? Why does his appear in end of האזינו as הושע? The Rebbe
Fascinating Sfas Emes on the Midrash in this week’s parsha which describes how the spies of Yehoshua became potters
Why did Hashem forgive the Jewish ppl after the חטא העגל but not after the חטא המרגלים - nice insights by Reb Bunim of Pershischa and the Kotzker Rebbe
Beautiful insight on why Hashem will test the Nations of the world with the mitzvah of סוכה, by famous Mekubal (400 years ago) Reb Avraham Azulay (author of חסד לאברהם), Rabbi of Chevron.
Geshmaker Kedushas Levi on the words in the parsha באש תישרף - transformation negative passions into good ones
Incredible story Reb Nissan heard from his Mashpiah that heard it from Previous rebbe showing the connection between Rashbi and the Alter Rebbe
great insight from the Shelah Hakodosh re why the torah uses לא תגנובו in the plural - relevant re today’s news
Why we ask Hashem to treat us the way Yosef treated his brothers - a fascinating Maamar of the Rebbe on parshas קדושים
The Zohar’s instruction that we emulate Yosef’s behavior towards his brothers- ואהבת לרעך כמוך
Remarkable insight of the Shelah Hakodosh re the 3 dimensions of kedusha in a person’s life
How does one create kedusha in ones life - קדושים תהיו - marvelous insight from Chozeh of Lublin
Why Dovid Hamelech requested that reading Tehilim should bring reward like the study of נגעים ואהלות
fascinating story about the Rebbe Maharash - told by the elder Chossid Reb Chaim Tzvi Konikov AH
A lesson of the Tzemach Yzedek to his son the Maharash re the virtue of davening every day in the same place
Incredible story that illustrates how the gift of freedom is etched into the fabric of our neshomos
a profound insight from the rebbe re freedom as a state of mind - not a physical condition of life
the Rebbes phenomenal explanation of החודש הזה לכם - why didn’t the Torah start with this possuk
The Alter Rebbe’s beautiful pshat on the Gemoro that one should remember prior to shabbos 3 things:עשרתם ערבתם הדליקו את הנר
What did Aharon see that made him do the Egel - וירא אהרן ויבן מזבח לפניו - Gemoro and Midrashim
Beautiful story with Reb Shimon sofer - son of Chasam Sofer- re why we don’t do tefilin on shabbos - tonight is his yartzeit
An incredible story about the Baal Shem Tov told by the Chidushei Horim as to why Chazal encouraged us to drink on Purim
Where’s Haman hinted in the Torah? המן העץ הזה. The Alter Rebbe gives fascinating insight into this Gemoro
Gevaldig insight from Reb Pinchos of Koritz re Esthers request from the Sages to include her book in Tanach
just as we decrease our joy in Av we should increase our joy in Adar - The Rebbe and Chasam sofer
Awesome story with Reb Shrira Gaon (9th ce) that explained the words of Esther that Haman ‘sold’ the Jews to be killed. כי נמכרנו אני ועמי
Reb Levi Yitzchok of Barditchev’s beautiful explanation on not differentiating between the blessings of Mordechai and the curses of haman
Fascinating insight from Reb Yonasan Eibeshetz re Purim being a day when we don’t differentiate between the blessings of Mordechai and the curses of Haman
Was ר׳ זירא still a כהן after he died and came back during his purim meal with רבה - interesting pshat from בעל האדרת
Interesting תשובות אבני נזר where he explains why Aharon Hakohen will need a new chinuch to kehunah when moshiach comes - today יא אדר is his yartzeit
Geshmaker explanation by the Rebbe how the description of the יריעות teaches us the principle of כל המוסיף גורע
Fascinating story with רמ״א re the Mitzvah of collecting Tzedaka from the rich and the poor
Beautiful insight by תולדות יעקב יוסף about the analogy between life and a wedding- לי לשמי
Fascinating discussion by the Rebbe as to why Rashi comments on the reason for increasing simcha in Adar is because of the miracles of Purim and PESACH?!!
What exactly must we do to increase our simcha in Adar? - the Munkatcher Rov in Nimukei Orach Chaim
A fascinating gemoro which uses treacherous waves of the ocean as metaphor to the spiritual challenges of life
A profound spiritual explanation by the Rebbe on the last Mishnah in ch. 7 of Mikvaos - in honor of my father’s yartzeit Adar 3
A great Halachic analysis on the mitzvah for Bes Din to execute a master who struck his slave with a fatal blow - אך אם יום או יומים יעמוד
Great pshat from the Koznitzer Magid on וכי יזיד איש על רעהו להרגו בערמה - antidote to מחשבות זרות
Beautiful insight of the Alter Rebbe on the dual reading of the עשרת הדברות and its connection to a profound understanding of halachic concept כל מילתא שאמר רחמנא לא תעבד, אי עבד לא מהני
Great story about שירת הים with Reb Elimelech of Lizensk - told by Reb Yankele of Pshevorsk
ויאמינו בה׳ ובמשה עבדו - Remarkable explanation of the בעש״ט as to why our relationship with Moshe is instrumental to our relationship with Hashem
Titus thought that the Jewish G-d is in control of the sea only - an interesting explanation by תולדות י״י
Chazal tell us that Moshe’s preoccupation with rescuing the bones of Yosef out of Mitzraim shows his immense love for mitzvos - a remarkable insight from the תשובות בית יעקב
Inspiring insight from the תולדות יעקב יוסף on the possuk ואמר פרעה לבני ישראל נבוכים הם בארץ
3 Halachic reasons for why the Egyptians only died after they washed up on the shore and not in the water - בעל הפלאה in פנים יפות
The incredible story witnessed and told by Reb Michoel Chazan who experienced an awesome miracle with the Rebbe - in honor of Yud Shvat
Why does it say in the Shema לאהבה את ה׳ אלוקיכם instead of לאהוב את ה׳ another jem from torah or
Jems from תורה אור פ׳ וארא - why we say סלח לנו after we׳ve gone through most of shacharis
Rabbi Pinchos Hirshprungs yartzeit - anectodes that he shared with me while i studied in Montreal
The Alter Rebbes profound explanation as to why moshe was to throw his staff in front of Paroh
וירא אלוקים את בני ישראל, וידע אלוקים What’s the meaning of וידע אלוקים - a Chassidic insight
Powerful teaching of the Baal Shem Tov re Moshe’s vision of the burning bush והסנה איננו אוכל - told by the alter Rebbe at the famous polemical debate in Minsk ה׳תקמ״ג
Amazing story with Viledniker Rebbe which the Rebbe told at a farbrengen and the miraculous blessing that came in the wake of that farbrengen - tonight is his yartzeit
Another great explanation from the holy Rizener for Moshe’s refusal to act as a messenger
How could Moshe refuse to serve as the messenger to redeem the jewish nation?! Didn’t he care about their suffering?! A great insight from the Riziner.
The relationship of ערבות (guarantorship) and Kingship - why יהודה was destined for kingship
The Shelah Hakodosh shows how the Rambans explanation re the kingship of Yehuda explains the controversy between Yosef and his brothers
Gevaldig Malbim on Paroh’s question to Yaakov כמה ימי שני חייך and Yaakov’s puzzling response
Beautiful insight from Tzemach Tzedek and Reb Nochum Tchernobeler on the relationship between the 7 cows and the seven candles of the Menorah
Another beautiful insight by the Alter Rebbe into the analogy of the neshomo and a candle
Fascinating story with Previous Rebbe and Reb Itsche der Masmid re seeing spiritual light
The incredible miracle with leftover oil from the Radomsker Rebbes menorah - ומנותר קנקנים נעשה נס לשושנים
Interesting Midrash Tanchuma on the contrast between Greek and Jewish symbolism of the bull and its horn - based on an insight from Tzemach Tzedek
Amazing insight by Reb Chaim Vital as to the difference between the candles of shabbos and those of Chanukah
Inspiring insight by the Rebbe into the 2 types of darkness that candles of Chanukah dispel
Fantastic lesson we learn from רחל אמנו how to ensure that our tefilos are heard - כלי יקר
Mitteler Rebbe to a young scholar: you can grasp the deepest concepts in Torah and remain a donkey
Beautiful anecdote with a Chernobyler chossid and the Mitteler Rebbe-from the previous Rebbe.
A remarkable insight of the Sfas Emes on the first Rashi שיציאת צדיק מן המקום עושה רושם
How the story of Yaakov’s journey to חרן is a metaphor for the jew in times of golus - the רבי in a sicho of 5752
Why is the principle of אין עשה דוחה לא תעשה not applicable in the בית המקדש - Reb Yosef Engel on מה נורא המקום הזה
A הלכה discussion as to how the sale of Esav׳s בכורה to Yaakov was valid - wasn’t it a sale of a דבר שלא בא לעולם?
The amazing story with Baal Shem Tov and the bishop and the reason Reb Pinchos Koritzer didnt recite Tachnun on the 3rd of Kislev
Amazing lesson by the mekubal Reb Avrohom Azulay from Yitzchoks reaction to Esav after realizing that Yaakov got the Brochos
Beautiful Maharal on the struggle of Rome with Israel - corresponding to the struggle of Yaakov and Esav - why are the garments of Esav so central to this story?
Rosh Chodesh Kislev in tanach according to Chasam Sofer is a day of atonement like Yom Kippur.
Interesting insight by the Beis Halevi on why Eliezer changed Avrohom’s words - ולקחת אשה לבני
Great lesson about love in marriage from the marriage of Yitzchok and Rivka by Reb Levi Yitzchok of Barditchev - ותהי לו לאשה ויאהבה
When humility becomes a source of egotism - Great interpretation on the last possuk of Vayeara by the Baal Shem Tov - ופילגשו ושמה ראומה
Fascinating Zohar: when Avrohom tried to burry Sara, Adam and Chava tried to stop him. Why?
Beautiful insight by the Kotzker Rebbe re Eliezer’s hope that Avrohom would consider his daughter as a suitable match for Yitzchok.
A halachik question whether Eliezer acted as a shliach - legal proxy - for yitzchok in marrying Rivkah - The Rebbe and Reb Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev
Avrohom came with the days of his life - a point of a maamar by the Rebbe on that possuk
A Geshmaker pshat of the Sar Sholom of Belz on כמו שכבש אברהם את רחמיו .. כן יכבשו רחמיך
Beautiful רבינו בחייי and Shelah Hakodosh on the difference whether the name Aleph Daled Nun Yud is spelled with a קמץ or a פתח
The incredible insight of the Baal Shem Tov on גדולה הכנסת אורחים יותר מקבלת פני השכינה
Does the Mitzvah of הכנסת אורחים transform ones home - great story with Mezricher Magid
Remarkable letter of the Noam Elimelech’s son as to why great Tzadikim are often humiliated and assaulted by prominent Rov or rosh yeshiva and how Avrohom left כנען as a result of such harassment
Did Avrohom show a lack of trust by leaving כנען as a result of the famine? - Ramban and the Barditchever offer different views
Nice pshat of Reb Meir Shapiro קום התהלך לארכה ולרחבה - today was the yartzeit of Reb Meir Shapiro
The historic controversy re the status of a prospective convert who has had his Bris but not Mikvah
A brilliant conversation the Chasam Sofer overheard as a child in Frankfurt between 2 Torah giants re לא ישבותו
Sholom Aleichem sung to an old Chabad nigun. The Previous Rebbe was once heard singing this tune on Friday night
The Midrash explains that Hashem’s praise came originally from water as the world was enveloped entirely in water. Chassidus gives a deeper understanding of this.
The third story the previous Rebbe tells re the relationship of the Riziner and the Tzemach Tzedek
A story about the Riziner told by the Tzemach Tzedek - Tonight is Yartzeit of the heiliger Riziner
Geshmaker vort of Reb Levi Yitzchok Barditchever about the order of the creation of שמים וארץ
Yartzeit of Reb Levi Yitzcok Barditchever. His beautiful insight into the puzzling Midrash which asks which actions does Hashem prefer? The actions of tzadikim or the ones of the Resha’im.
Reb Levi Yitzchok of Barditchev on בראשית ברא אלוקים and the connection to ה׳ מלך, ה׳ מלך, ה׳ ימלוך
A fabulous idea in ליקוטי תורה about two types of מצוות - מצוות that involve the self of the person and those that can only be performed without the involvement of the self
Another fundamental difference re הושענה רבה between other chassidic approaches and chassidus Chabad in understanding of the ערבה
The difference in approach between other chassidic sources and Chabad re the uniqueness of Hoshana Rabbah. The brochos from Above vs. the Avodah of the Jew.
Why did ר׳ יוחנן בן זכאי enact 2 traditions in one day - shaking the lulav for 7 days and refrain from eating חדש till the end of the 16th of Nissan? Fascinating insight into our relationship with the בית המקדש
Amazing debate between the Alter Rebbe and the Shpoler Zayde as to how one should get closer to Hashem - vov tishrei is the yartzeit of the Shpoler Zayde
‘Hashem resembles a Mikvah’ - fascinating insight of the Rebbe on the last משנה in מסכת יומא
A tale of 2 Chazanim from the city of Kremenchug - told by the illustrous chossid Reb Saadiah Liberov - The inspiring prayers on Rosh Hashana of the legendary chossid Reb Yisroel Noach Belinitzky
Fantastic story with the first Belzer Rov, the Sar Sholom of Belz, during motze shabbos slichos
The 2 reasons behind the principle of תורה לא בשמים היא and their halachic implications - חתם סופר and חסידות
Fascinating discussion on the halachic principle of תורה לא בשמים היא - debate between כסף משנה and חתם סופר
Ramban’s fascinating interpretation of כי בשרירות לבי אלך - the psychology of decadent behavior
Amazing insight by the Rebbe on the words לדוד ה׳ אורי וישעי ממי אירא, ה׳ מעוז חיי ממי אפחד
Fascinating halachic discussion on the permissibility for יהושע to cover the 12 stones, which had the text of the Torah on them, with plaster - wouldnt that erase Hashems name?
Great introduction to the פרשה by רבינו בחיי regarding the incredible promise made by Hashem in return for giving צדקה
A synopsis of the maamar by the Alter Rebbe on מה יפו פעמיך בנעלים בת נדיב which was inspired by the (seemingly) casual conversation that ר׳ פנחס קאריצער had with his wife about the lunch preparations
Stirring melody by Reb Pinchos Koritzer on the words אמנם כן, יצר סוכן, בנו בך להצדק, רב צדק ועננו סלחתי - From the liturgy of the night of יום כיפור.
The Alter Rebbes relationship with Reb Pinchos Koritzer - Tonight Ellul 10 is Reb Pinchos’ yartzeit
The שמחה of Elul - Rebbe׳s fascinating explanation as to why there’s no mitzva for שמחה on אלול as we have on a יום טוב
Beautiful pshat of the great Tzadik ר׳ מנדל בארער on שלח תשלח את האם- recorded by the צמח צדק
Amazing Or Hachaim Hakodosh on the deeper reason for why Torah would permit a non Jewish יפת תואר to a Jew in war time
The Lubavitcher Rebbe is a believer in Jews- great anecdote with Reb Shlomo Zalman Ohrbach
A beautiful pshat in אני לדודי from באר מים חיים and an awesome story that took place in a Nazi concentration camp
The Rebbes revolutionary understanding of אני לדודי ודודי לי - אלול. What’s our עבודה in אלול really about
Are 2 witnesses necessary for verification only - ramarkable Ramban cited by Ktzos Hachoshen
Why does the Torah say Al Pi Shnayim oh Shlosho Edim - Reb Saadiah Gaons pshat and Chasam Sofers explanation
fascinating Tzemach Tzedek on the Rambams claim that our belief in the Mount Sinai event is based on the legal principle of testimony
A model of judging others favorably - anecdotes about the Belzer Rov Reb Aharon Rokeach in honor of his yartzeit
How the engagement in destruction of an entire city will not result in fostering cruelty in our hearts - the Or Hachaim Hakodosh on venosan lecho rachamim