The Rebbe's Letters

We continue our exploration of unique takes on the classic Maamar, with letters suggesting that learning Kuntres Heichaltzu can help solve marriage problems, remind us to judge others favorably, emphasize the power of group resolutions and Mitzvos, and (perhaps) help win court cases.

We begin to explore the Rebbe's unique takes on the classic Maamar, with letters suggesting that learning Kuntres Heichaltzu can help promote (and even solve) community strife, as well as influence our devotion to prayer.

When we pray for better health or write a Pan to the Rebbe, we have the custom to use the mother's name instead of the father's name. In today's letter the Rebbe strengthens the custom, and brings sources to support it.

The Rebbe's view on surgical procedures: When to listen to the surgeon; When to look for a second (or third) opinion; What types of surgeries to avoid; When to schedule an inpatient procedure.

Special Episode: What is the relationship between Tikun HaMiddos and Chassidus? Is the point of Chassidus to help me become a better person? Can Chassidus be used to fix base Middos, or is decency a prerequisite? This class looks at letters from the Rebbe and Previous Rebbe to address these questions (and resolve apparent contradictions).

When idealistic young people would write to the Rebbe about their dreams of saving the world (or "finding themselves" abroad) the Rebbe often encouraged them to instead focus closer to home. In this compilation of letters, the Rebbe reminds would-be international heroes of their pressing local obligations.

The Rebbe almost always welcomes new Shochtim (ritual slaughterers) to the profession with the expression "אין ושחט אלא ומשך". We'll explore the origins of this expression in the Talmud, and the Rebbe's deeper intent.

The Rebbe's letters from the summer of 1973 have an unmistakable theme—they are almost invariably about Chinuch and Tzedaka, with a strong emphasis on very young children. This is atypical, and the significance of this unexpected push was only appreciated months later, when the Yom Kippur War broke out.

One of the Rebbe's most oft-repeated phrases is "He who has 100 desires 200"—usually as a gentle nudge for someone reporting good news to work harder and do even more. Today's letter includes the phrase, and the class explores its origins and applications in the Rebbe's work and beyond.

The Rebbe is not a fan of college under most circumstances, but what does he think about dropping out? What if a student wants to leave college to learn in Yeshiva or make more time for Yiddishkeit? A review of two letters and seven interviews reveals the Rebbe's consistent position on the subject.

Citing Midrash Eicha, which describes the wisdom of the children of Jerusalem before the Destruction, today's letter encourages modern children to aspire to those same heights and describes how children can, through intense Torah study and commitment to Mitzvos, transform the Three Weeks, Nine Days, and Tisha B'Av itself into a time of joy.

Should we be giving children prizes for learning Torah, doing Mitzvos, or attending Shul? What does the Rebbe say about contests, raffles, etc—and are certain prizes inappropriate? In today's letter the Rebbe strongly opposes giving out a soccer ball as a prize. The class focuses on appropriate prizes (and the possible issues with a soccer ball in particular).

When the Rebbe spoke about the anniversary of his predecessor's liberation (and salvation from certain death), he invariably quoted a letter written by the Previous Rebbe on the first anniversary of the miracle. Here we read the original letter, and explore how the Rebbe used quotes from it throughout the years to drive home various important messages.

In today's letter someone asks the Rebbe for his blessing to pursue a career in professional wrestling (which will make him quite wealthy and allow him to better support Chabad institutions). The class examines the Halachic implications of such activities, and reviews a letter from the Rebbe about teaching karate and martial arts in high schools.

Is there something inauthentic (or worse—does it show a lack of deference to the Rebbe) to explain Chassidus in your own words, with explanations in the vernacular? In today's letter the Rebbe takes a strong opinion on the issue, and our class reviews several other letters and Sichos that demonstrate the Rebbe's well-defined position on the matter.

Husbands and wives often argue over where to lay down roots and raise their families—and Chassidim often brought these family disputes to the Rebbe. This shiur looks at several letters that capture the Rebbe's overarching view on where Chasidim should live, and what a couple should do when they cannot agree.

In honor of Gimel Tamuz, this class looks at letter that the Rebbe wrote in response to some Chasidim who continued to refer to the Previous Rebbe as "Der Rebbe Zol Gezunt Zayn" ("The Rebbe, May He Be Healthy") even after his passing on Yud Shvat.

In this letter the Rebbe mentions the long-standing, half-century-old relationship between the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and Lubavitch. Our class explores that history in depth, revolving around JDC's role in funding the Previous Rebbe's clandestine activities in Soviet Russia.

Roughly 50 years ago today the Rebbe responded to a letter from R. Nachman Yosef Twersky, regarding his family's continued opposition to him learning in 770. The class explores several other letters and Sichos demonstrating that the Rebbe had a very consistent answer to this sort of question: children must learn where they wish, whether their parents like it or not, for the physical and spirit...

When the Jewish Agency wanted to bring thousands of tourists to a Chabad in Jerusalem for summer Farbrengens, some were concerned that the women in attendance might sing in front of the men. The Rebbe's stance on Kol Isha is the subject of this letter, and the class discusses some of the Halachic and Hashkafic implications.

Once only Chassidim and Sefardim wore Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin, and Chabad Chassidim seldom wore them before age 18—a custom that the Rebbe overturned in 1966 with a landmark Sicha that called on every Jewish man from any background to begin wearing Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin starting from Bar Mitzvah. This two-part series explores the factors that contributed to this shift and its modern implications, th...

Once only Chassidim and Sefardim wore Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin, and Chabad Chassidim seldom wore them before age 18—a custom that the Rebbe overturned in 1966 with a landmark Sicha that called on every Jewish man from any background to begin wearing Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin starting from Bar Mitzvah. This two-part series explores the factors that contributed to this shift and its modern implications, th...

The Rebbe's advice across more than ten letters is consistent—do not leave your current job until you have another gig lined up. Here we review these letters, and propose a potential reasons for the Rebbe's strong opinion on the subject.

The Rebbe wrote a very warm letter to the Mashgiach of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath in 1973, but this was just one sign of the very close relationship the Rebbe (and the Previous Rebbe) had with the storied non-Chassidic Yeshiva.

The quarterly magazine "Bitaon Chabad" (1952-1973) was widely seen as the successor of HaTomim—and when the publication's editorial standards began to slip, the Rebbe noticed. In this letter the Rebbe addresses glaring errors and omissions in a recent edition, and the class describes how these critiques culminated in the Rebbe issuing an ultimatum: find a meticulous editor, or cease...