ChabadLife.TV Street Farbrengen

We often hear that a Chassid is one who is butil - self nullified. Is the emphasis on bitul the nullification of the negative or the spotlight on the possible? Simchas Torah is about the possible - in Torah and in yourself. This is cause for dancing!

What happens after Neilah? Does it disappear as quick as it came? Yom Kippur is not a one night stand! Once you touch soul, you can’t stay away! But you do need a mindset that supports Neilah and Napoleons March. It’s the attitude behind what is a Chassid on Chabad: drilling down to the core with the Rebbe by your side .

It is Kabbalistic thinking that the creation “recedes” on Rosh Hashana and awaits the  prayers and the sound of the Shofar to begin creation anew. Not only is the world waiting for a spectacular creation for the next year, each individual is  integral to this new creation process. Each must  also must want to create again. Street Farbrengen peeks into the world of creation- from inside out!

Chassidic transformation ( avodah) boils down to molding G-d into your best friend. More so , G-d is your spouse  as alluded in many ways beginning in Shir Hashirim, Song of Songs.. But your therapist?  Street Farbrengen lies down on the couch. Who do I trust and  expect to hear guidance from more? My therapist or G-d?

Elul and Tishrei are a basketful of obligation.  Is that my focus at this time of year?  There is another option. Elicit the power of the 'one who is obligated' - after all,  I've been asked to make it all happen! In this week's episode of Street Farbrengen we explore the connection between things we should do, the things we are being asked to do, and who’s being asked to do it...

You can set the bar so high that no one shows up for the track meet! Have  chassidim inadvertently set the cruising altitude so high that we don’t join the voyage to begin with  Reuven and Zacharia tackle Avodah in 5784.... are we in or out? Are we ready or not?

Elul. Chabad owns the month, characterizing it as “the King is in the field.” Is the King not “in the field” all your round? What does this month mean to you and me? What am I supposed to do? Reuven and Zachariah work through the “month of Elul” and conclude, it is about stepping out of control. 

There is an emphasis in Chassidic literature on limiting one’s participation with the physical environment, to measure what is necessary and what is extra and luxury. We call it eskofia , holding back. Is this practice relevant  today? Does  the Chabad culture encourage or train our children and ourselves to “ avoid what’s permitted”? What is the reason for eskafia ? Zecharia and Reuven debate the...

After fire  destroys his  home Reuven wonders about  his calm and joy. Shouldn't I feel guilty or some sort of contriteness for some actions that led to a fire burning down my house? Zacharia and Reuven talk fire, Tisha B'av and the manner the Rebbe  directs to approach and look at the ups and downs and surprises of life.

We open the closet door and let out the secret everybody knows: that the fast days of 17 Tammuz and Tisha B” Av are the essence of Judaism by rote!! Why do we go through this charade?!

Every Geulah is fashioned  from a prison. “The Rebbe # Tammuz 5710” Zechariah suggests that “prison” is associated with “Nisayon,” a test, different then birurim, extracting the good from the negative. The Rebbe states that  the work of birurim is finished. Does this mean that today is the work of “nisyaon”? Why is our time to be approached with the attitude of nisayon? Why is this Moshiach like?

Gimmel Tammuz is a real modern challenge for the serious Chassid. How do I relate to who and what is the Rebbe himself beyond ‘scholar’? Is Rebbe the writings and videos left ‘below’? Zacharia and Reuven attempt to understand a 4th level of Rebbe-Chassid paradigm refer to as Maor and Ohr.

Zacharia and Reuven prepare for Gimmel Tammuz.... Why does it feel that Gimmel Tammuz is an exercise in renewing my membership in the Chabad club? Is the Chassid's mission these days to promote the Rebbe? We're only half way through the discussion on Legacy vs the Power of Self...

How deep a dive inside must I take, and how specific do I engage  with my  darker side? Do I need to know the source of why I am triggered by something  or why I have a specific type  of desire or failing?  In other words, how do I conquer my city as the Alter Rebbe writes in Tanya? Do I inspect my landscape before I begin to conquer it? How do I avoid the pitfalls of the spies that saw themselves...

The blessing given for Shavuous is to receive the Torah B'pnimius - integrate the Torah from within.  What exactly is this core that integrates this Torah? How do I incorporate Torah in such a manner? A heart to heart talk on Street Farbrengen on pnimius and making it work on Shavuous.

Zacharia and Reuven take a different look on the day of the 28th of Nissan. In place of a response to the  message of the day by finding ways to convince the public  of the agendas the various factions that Chassidim have developed over the years - “tut altz “ do what you can, how about a response of being all you can….and mentor. You will want to listen carefully to this one. Don’t be afraid to s...

In this week’s Street Farbrengen we ponder freedom. Are we really free if we are in the habit to make weak or wrong choices ? Can we be free if we are afraid to make choices ? This Street Farbrengen concludes that freedom is Pesach and of all things freedom begins with sweeping, scraping and making our houses and cars and backyards free of the dreaded chometz! Pesach cleaning can be a curse or a b...

“The older I get and the more Chassidus I digest the more I realize just how lazy and stupid I can be...And that’s going to change in Adar. I have all the tools! Why don’t I use em!???” There are two approaches to Chassidic material. One is ready for “what is it saying should be”! The other asks “what will this be asking me to do?” When you hit a wall, what is your go to? "I should” or “what...

Do you consider yourself a disciplined individual?  Can I be disciplined and also be in a joyous state? Welcome to Street Farbrengen 48 - Fun is not Joy and Discipline isn’t a dirty word.

Does G-d need you as his defense lawyer? Does truth need you to defend it?  Do we move forward when we “drink the Koolaid?” How honest do we be with our children?  Street Farbrengen tackles the challenge of “truth and consequences”.

A fundamental slice of Chabad life is action. We know the what - hiskashrus to the Rebbe , learning sichos and maamarim etc. But how often do we attend Farbrengens and hear 'the what' but much less of the “how”? Join in on a Street Farbrengen presentation on a small dose of “how.”

“I admit I have a PHD in sarcasm” Reuven tells Zacharia.  The use of sarcasm at some chassidic gatherings is common enough to be a concern for discussion on this week’s episode of Street Farbrengen. Sarcasm is a cover for something very important that must be addressed: do we feel capable to live up to the standards and goals of Chabad Chassidus?

Reuven  opens tonight's farbrengen   with the theme song  from a hit movie during the 1960’s, “The Good The Bad and The Ugly.” "It came up for me as part of our farbrengen topic tonight:   I’ve been thinking for awhile:  I am not interested in religious organization …. even Chabad Lubavitch.

Religious people in general , Chassidim in particular, and Chabad Chassidim specifically, are often accused of being dreamers. Often enough they even may be considered mildly delusional! Zacharia asks when do you know you dreams are real and when they are not?  The finger of delusion  often points to Moshiach. But as the song goes, “you don’t have to be Chabad  to want Moshiach, but you have to wa...

Culture:  “The customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group.” What is the modern day Chabad culture? Reuven and Zacharia explore the connection between Hey Teves and the culture of Chabad.