Category: Holidays

Rosh Hashana— You Are the World

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Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of Adam, the first human being. On Rosh Hashanah we are thus reminded that one person is an entire world. How do we translate this idea into inspiration and action for the New Year?

Based on a Michtav Klali from 5723.

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Erev Yom Kippur — Addicts, Sensitive Souls, and Other Spiritual Seekers

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Why do we ask G-d on Yom Kippur to forgive us "for the sin we committed with the evil inclination"? Aren't all sins committed with the evil inclination?

Chasidus explains that this means the specific sin of not properly channeling the energy of the evil inclination and using it as a force for good. Many people, particularly our youth, who often seem to be rebelling are in truth spiritually seeking. Their energy only needs to be directed.

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Sukkos—Pants on Fire

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Massive oil-burning street lamps lit up the whole city of Jerusalem at night during the water-drawing celebration.

But why were the wicks of these lamps made specifically from the old shorts and belts of the priestly garments?

Based on a talk from the Rebbe on Sukkos 5714 we can answer this question by understanding how to joyously overcome our most carnal desires and transform the deep, dark shame of the past into sweet, holy light.

Based on 3rd Night of Sukkos 5714 from Toras Menachem vol. 10, pp. 64-68.

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Tu B'Shevat—Spiritual Lessons from the New Year for Trees

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Various spiritual lessons that we can learn from trees, particularly the "seven species" associated with the Land of Israel.

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Tu B'Shevat—Lessons from the Trees

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In honor of Tu b'Shevat, the New Year for Trees, we examine some of the spiritual lessons that we can learn from trees in general and the five species of fruits associated with the Land of Israel in specific.

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Purim—When Life Makes No Sense

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How do we get the strength to go on when we cannot see G-d's plan for us? One of the lessons of the Purim holiday is how to respond when life makes no sense.

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Purim—Secrets of the Megillah

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A deeper reading of the details of the Megillah—particularly those involving Haman's plot against the Jews—reveals an underlying truth about the unbreakable bond between Jews and G-d.

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Pesach—Matzah as a High Risk Investment

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Matzah can only be made with dough that is able to become chametz. But why do we have to take such risks when making matzah? The answer to this question will lead us to understand the "high-risk" investment that Hashem has taken by implanting each one of us with an ego.

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Pesach—Never Going Back

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How are we to understand the Torah prohibition against the Jewish people returning to Egypt when many great Jews throughout the ages including the Rambam lived in Egypt? We offer several explanations according to halacha as well as the explanation of the Ari Zal according to kabbalah. What is the lesson for us?

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Pesach—Seder Highlights

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Rabbi Shais Taub share some of his favorite ideas from the Haggadah. Part 1 of 2.

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Pesach—Seder Highlights Part II

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Rabbi Shais Taub share some of his favorite ideas from the Haggadah. Part 2 of 2.

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Pesach—Healthy Individuals, Healthy Communities

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Is Jewish identity collectivist or individualist? Are there no Jews without the Jewish people or no Jewish people without Jews? The first mitzvah performed by the Jewish people, the korban Pesach, holds the answer.

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