The Rebbe's Letters

The initiative to hold public Menorah lightings was controversial. Here we explore how, in the years following the launch of Mivtza Chanukah in 1974, Shluchim gradually began to hold public Menorah lightings—and how the Rebbe responded to their critics.

This somewhat meta-Shiur examines several letters from the Rebbe cautioning that his responses are written to individuals and are not applicable to the general public, which raises the question: is it OK to learn the Rebbe's letters and apply them directly to our lives? In other words: is our Iggros Shiur OK?

For almost every year of published Iggros, we have a printed telegram from the Rebbe encouraging a 19 Kislev Farbrengen. Each year's telegram is slightly different, and sheds unique light on the importance of the day and how the Farbrengen should be arranged. Part 3: 1980-1992

For almost every year of published Iggros, we have a printed telegram from the Rebbe encouraging a 19 Kislev Farbrengen. Each year's telegram is slightly different, and sheds unique light on the importance of the day and how the Farbrengen should be arranged. Part 2: 1960-1980

For almost every year of published Iggros, we have a printed telegram from the Rebbe encouraging a 19 Kislev Farbrengen. Each year's telegram is slightly different, and sheds unique light on the importance of the day and how the Farbrengen should be arranged. Part 1: 1951-1960

Several letters from the Rebbe addressing concerns of "Hasagas Gvul" (encroachment) when a new school opens next to an existing institution, or when a new rabbi begins teaching in a town with an existing rabbinate.

The Rebbe sent a surprisingly fundamental letter on 15 Kislev fifty years ago, and a hint as to why he might have chosen this otherwise unsung day may be found in a letter that Reb Levik sent the Rebbe and Rebbetzin on their second wedding anniversary.

A brigadier general in the IDF writes to the Rebbe asking for the secret of Jewish survival.

In this series of letters from the Rebbe addressing loneliness, two distinct approachs emerge. Some writers are shown ways to conquer loneliness; others are shown ways to embrace it.

In this Special Episode, we explore the custom, widely practiced in Chabad, to not make Kiddush on Friday night between 6-7pm. Part 1: Origins of the custom; Lenient Opinions; The Precise Time Part 2: Shalom Bayis, Guests, Children, What to do in Israel

In this Special Episode, we explore the custom, widely practiced in Chabad, to not make Kiddush on Friday night between 6-7pm. Part 1: Origins of the custom; Lenient Opinions; The Precise Time Part 2: Shalom Bayis, Guests, Children, What to do in Israel

In letters written to husbands and wives who are concerned about their spouses either falling away from religion or never quite getting into it, the Rebbe has a few consistent pieces of advice.

The Rebbe took particular interest in soldiers injured while defending the Holy Land. Here we look at letters and a well-known Sicha in which the Rebbe offers guidance to wounded warriors and insists that these heros be called "exceptional", not "disabled".

What do we do when parents don't approve of a Shidduch? Should children obey their parents, or marry whomever they choose? We explore three different approaches in the Rebbe's letters, and attempt to build a general rule as to how to approach such scenarios.

How the Rebbe encouraged the founding of the girl's school Machon Chana, and his relationship with the students and faculty.

A review and clarification.

There are letters in which the Rebbe laments that some place their trust in him and not in G-d. But on other occasions, the Rebbe seems to promote the opposite message. We explore this apparent contradiction, and present a solution proposed by the legendary Mashpia R. Mendel Futerfas.

When individuals wrote to the Rebbe with a complaint about anyone—an organization, a spouse, a friend in yeshiva—the Rebbe's answer was consistent: you're probably not 100% right, and you're certainly not 100% impartial.

Letters, Sichos, and diary entries describing the Rebbe's many interactions with the beleaugered British team, led by Reb Zalman Jaffe, that was determined to publish a bilingual Tanya.

Letters, Sichos, and diary entries describing the Rebbe's many interactions with the beleaugered British team, led by Reb Zalman Jaffe, that was determined to publish a bilingual Tanya.

When Chabad in Israel told the Rebbe of their many projects helping wound soldiers and their families after the Yom Kippur War, the Rebbe wrote back: "what about the widows!!?". Here we explore how the Rebbe's concern for the widows of martyred soldiers extends back at least to the Six Day War

When the Rebbe sat Shiva for his mother, he repeatedly asked visiting Rabbonim whether he would be able to go to Mikveh before Mincha on erev Yom Kippur. Today's letter adds another piece to that puzzle, with a Halachic analysis for context.

When Reb Mendel Futerfas asked Bochurim to return to Israel to help strengthen his yeshiva, they agreed only on the condition that the Rebbe formally designated them as Shluchim. We discuss the Rebbe's refusal to do so, and explore how it fits into the idea of Talmidei HaShluchim.

The Rebbe places great emphasis on the power of Chasidic stories, and considers even minute details of the stories sacred. But today we'll look at letters where the Rebbe suggests editing the details of some of Chasidic stories, and explain the Rebbe's nuanced approach on how and when stories should be altered.

The Rebbe emphasizes the importance of education, establishes it as the foundation of Judaism itself, and empowers Jewish women to pursue that field, specifically, in the model of our Matriarchs.