The Rebbe's Letters

In honor of the upcoming election, a series of letters and Sichos from the Rebbe about the importance of voting and what to look for when deciding on a candidate. -- Original letters and Sichos for this Shiur and many others available here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12ehoGNXfgJTm4xCQKYNRRBW2E0XMscsL?usp=sharing

A two-part special episode on Calabria or Yanaver Esrogim, explaining why this particular type of Etrog is preferable even to those grown in the Land of Israel from the same seed line, and why everyone should make it a priority to use an Italian Esrog. -- Original letters and Sichos for this Shiur and many others available here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12ehoGNXfgJTm4xCQKYNRRBW2E0XMs...

The Shulchan Aruch obligates sleeping in the Sukkah, but the longstanding Chabad custom is not to do so. Through letters and Sichos, we explore the origins of the custom and its justification in Halacha. (Reposted from 5784)

We have a firm custom not to hang decorations on the Sukkah (known as "Noi Sukkah"). An explanation, in letters and Sichos. (Reposted from 5784)

A simple reading of the Talmud and Code of Jewish Law would suggest it is inappropriate to sit in the Sukkah when it's raining. The Rebbe's novel approach explains the Chabad custom. (Reposted from 5784)

Letters, Sichos, Maamarim, and even table conversations about the Chabad custom to say Selichos during the month of Elul, but not during the Ten Days of Repentance.

A letter from the Rebbe about strategies to ease the fast kicks off a broader Halachic discussion about taking pills on erev Yom Kippur to aid in fasting, and whether part of the Mitzvah of fasting on Yom Kippur is feeling hunger.

In commemoration of October 7, we present a series of letters in which the Rebbe comforts the relatives of soldiers who were killed defending the Holy Land, and reflect on the themes that emerge in the Rebbe's letters of consolation.

The Rebbe's position on Jewish music within secular genres, such as Rock, Pop, or Rap, and a brief discussion of secular music and setting Torah lyrics to non-Jewish melodies.

In 1981, a shooter tried to assassinate President Ronald Reagan. The Rebbe wrote a letter wishing the president a speedy recovery, and then delivered a powerful Sicha that explains why people harm others and how an education instilled with faith can prevent future attempts. Fourty three years later the U.S. is grappling with the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, and the Reb...

A deep dive into the Rebbe's involvement in the construction of 770 replicas in Kfar Chabad, Milan, and Los Angeles, and a discussion of the Rebbe's position on building 770s around the world.

The Rebbe responds to a question about wearing Tzitzis in a dirty workplace, which leads to a discussion of whether men should be wearing a Tallis Katan while playing sports, working out, or boiling in the heat of summer. We end with a Sicha, and the overall implications for Tznius and strict Halachic adherence in the summer months.

The Rebbe believes in the power of the public school system to civilize the nations of the world, but recognizes the shortcomings of the system. In these letters and Sichos, he highlights some of the biggest issues and strongly advocates prayer, G-d, and morality in public school classrooms.

The Rebbe strongly supported (and according to some Washington insiders, was instrumental in founding) the U.S. Department of Education. Today we look at letters and Sichos in which the Rebbe supports the creation of a federal Department of Education, and begin to explore the Rebbe's position on the importance of strong public schools.

Guidance from the Rebbe on how to celebrate a birthday, with a handful of surprising letters about specific practices.

In honor of Shavuos, please enjoy this episode from last year (5783). In this special episode, we departed from our usual 1973 letter repertoire to discuss several letters about the international dateline—specifically focusing on how the Rebbe wanted those who traveled to/from Australia during Sefiras HaOmer to celebrate Shavuos.

The Rebbe's approach to dealing with world leaders who oppose Israeli and Jewish interests, in letters and Sichos.

In this Two-Part series we explore the history of Techeiles, the long-lost blue thread that the Torah commands us to attach to our Tzitzis. We mainly focus on how our Rabbeim responded to the (now less popular) Radzyner Tekheles, but we also discuss how the principles found in the Rebbe's letters and Sichos may apply to modern Teckhelet. Part I: The Rebbe Rashab's Letter Part II: The Rebbe...

In this Two-Part series we explore the history of Techeiles, the long-lost blue thread that the Torah commands us to attach to our Tzitzis. We mainly focus on how our Rabbeim responded to the (now less popular) Radzyner Tekheles, but we also discuss how the principles found in the Rebbe's letters and Sichos may apply to modern Teckhelet. Part I: The Rebbe Rashab's Letter Part II: The Rebbe...

Note: This is a repost of a prior Shiur, given in 5783 in preparation for Lag B'Omer. The Rebbe only missed one Sunday Lag B'Omer parade ever: in 1973, the year that we are studying. We know that The Rebbe refused to attend, and we know that he delivered a Sicha describing his reasons, but the details remain opaque. In this letter The Rebbe responds to a Chosid protesting his decision, wit...

Letters and Sichos clarifying the Rebbe's position on the so-called "Heter Kiruv", which would allow bending or even breaking Halacha in order to bring Jews closer to Judaism.

A multi-part series on the Rebbe's push for individuals to learn "Baal Peh"—memorizing words of Torah. Part 1: Overview of the Hasidic emphasis on Torah by heart Part 2: Deep-dive into Mishnayos by heart Part 3: Deep-dive into Tanya by heart

A multi-part series on the Rebbe's push for individuals to learn "Baal Peh"—memorizing words of Torah. Part 1: Overview of the Hasidic emphasis on Torah by heart Part 2: Deep-dive into Mishnayos by heart Part 3: Deep-dive into Tanya by heart

A multi-part series on the Rebbe's push for individuals to learn "Baal Peh"—memorizing words of Torah. Part 1: Overview of the Hasidic emphasis on Torah by heart Part 2: Deep-dive into Mishnayos by heart Part 3: Deep-dive into Tanya by heart

The story of one of the Rebbe's most storied Halachic showdowns, in which he uses his Halachic and engineering expertise in concert to debunk the false claims of Israel's ZIM shipping company that their transatlantic cruises were not violating Shabbos (or had no choice but to do so). This was originally a three-part Shiur, condensed into a single Special Episode.