The Rebbe's Letters

In this class we depart from the year 1973 to explore the Rebbe's position on bringing in Shabbos early, with letters and Sichos.

In this letter the Rebbe discusses the pitfalls of modernity (including Modern Judaism) and "-isms" of all kinds, and the class delves into a Michtav Klali and Sicha that explain the futility and failure of the many ideologies that Jews cling to instead of Torah and Mitzvos.

The famed Yiddish writer Chaim Grade described himself as a "Modern" Jew who comes from "Misnagdim". In this letter, the Rebbe explains why the term "Misnagid" is outdated, and the class unpacks what the Rebbe means when he says Misnagdim no longer exist.

Those who put their hearts and souls into institutions are often fiercely defensive of their ability to run their Mosdos by fiat. But the Rebbe does not tolerate dictators, and demands that every head of a Chabad institution consult with an advisory board before making major decisions. This class looks at multiple letters from the Rebbe that push a collaborative model—and which harshly censure ind...

This is Part 2 of a two-part series. Here we review both letters and Sichos to determine what the Rebbe wants schools that teach secular subjects to look like. The class highlights four key features that every dual-curriculum school must have in order to meet the Rebbe's expectations.

This is Part 1 of a two-part series covering the Rebbe's perspective on secular studies. This first episode highlights the Rebbe's wish—expressed in many letters from Shavuos and the summer months—that children not engage in any secular studies over the summer, instead dedicating this time exclusively to immersion in Torah. We also discuss a letter that encourages schools with secular curr...

In this letter, the Rebbe outlines a path of atonement and penitence (Tikkun) for someone who forgot to put on Tefillin. The class will explore the Rebbe's overarching philosophy about crafting Tikkunim, and present sample Tikunim the Rebbe gave for a number of sins.

Intermarriage is one of the most pressing Jewish concerns of our era, and thinkers across the religious spectrum have their opinions on how to respond to this challenge. The Rebbe's approach is utterly unique, difficult to swallow, and ultimately effective.

This letter captures The Rebbe's unique take on the prison system and the need for criminal justice reform. The class looks at a Sicha that describes The Rebbe's vision for prisons that rehabilitate offenders, and discusses what progress has been made since the Rebbe called for prison reform 50 years ago.

Judaism is clearly not a religion, race, or nationality. In this letter The Rebbe describes exactly what a Jew is, and the class reviews a handful of letters in English that address similar points, arming us all with a definitive answer to this central question.

By request of one of our regular listeners, this episode explores the Rebbe's position on siblings getting married out of order (eg, a younger sibling before an older sibling). Rebbe has many letters on this subject, and the answers are quite nuanced. The class explores the Halachic parameters of the question, and demonstrates that the Rebbe's responses to each scenario line up perfectly w...

The Rebbe had a long and close relationship with Zalman Shazar, former president of Israel. This letter, one of the last that they exchanged, discusses the end of Shazar's final term as president. The class provides an overview of this unique relationship and some of the historical highlights.

This letter includes the classic phrase כל המברך מתברך (all who give a blessing are, themselves, blessed), and the class explores the source for this expression.

Whenever someone new moves into town, Hasidism traditionally greet them with the well-known adage: משנה מקום משנה מזל לטובה (one who changes location changes his luck, for good). Where did this expression come from, how and when does The Rebbe use it, and do we sometimes misuse it?

In this letter the Rebbe gently reminds the writer that there should be a B"H or BS"D at the tops of all letters and written materials. The class explores the source of this custom and the extent of the instruction, along with its potential Halachic pitfalls. Iggros Volume 28 Pg 353

Requested by one of our regular listeners, this special episode analyzes several letters from the Rebbe to determine the circumstances under which one is allowed to leave the land of Israel.

In this letter, the Rebbe describes how a child's Mitzvos can provide Zchus for his or her parents. From there, the class launches into an analysis of the limitations and practical implications of shared merits between parents and children, both living and deceased. Iggros Volume 28 Pg 29

The Rebbe took particular interest in journalists and inspired them to use their platforms for good. This letter is one such example. The class explores other examples, with an eye toward learning how everyone can use their platforms for spreading Torah and Mitzvos.

From the preponderance of pictures of The Rebbe, one wouldn't necessarily expect that the Rebbe had a complication relationship with photography and photographers. Although the Rebbe compliments an artist who painted his likeness in this letter, the class explores the Rebbe's varied reactions to others trying to capture his likeness throughout the years. Iggros Volume 28 Pg 187

In this letter, the Rebbe advises a woman struggling with anxiety to try "Hesech Daas"—putting unpleasant thoughts out of her mind, and distracting herself with other thoughts and activities. In the class, we trace this strategy back to a letter from the Tzemach Tzedek and discuss how distraction can help with Teshuva, defend us from Ayin Hara, and bring Moshiach. Iggros Volume 28 Pg 131

The Rebbe was always vague about why he chose to launch the Mezuzah campaign. In Sichos, he'd say he felt "compelled" or that he himself wasn't sure why it felt so urgent. This letter may be the earliest record of the Rebbe grappling with the Mivtza, and may be part of the mysterious circumstances that led to its launch. Iggros Volume 28 Pg 207

These two letters from 1972 discuss an initiative near and dear to the Rebbe's heart: Mivtza Matza. The class explores other letters and Sichos that drive home the importance of ensuring our colleagues and neighbors have Shmura Matza for Pesach. Iggros Volume 28 Pg 152 and Pg 160

Does the Rebbe support learning in Kollel? Who, if anyone, should be learning Torah full-time? And which institutes of Torah learning meet the Rebbe's standards—and which might be better off closed down? In this letter the Rebbe lays out his vision for a productive Kollel, and the class explores the Rebbe's exacting standard when it comes to what sort of Kollel—and what sort of students—th...

The Rebbe often encouraged the study of Chovos HaLevavos (specifically the Gate of Trust), but that's not the only ethical work he references. This letter, which mentions Chovos HaLevavos, serves as a launching point for a class that collects the various non-Chabad, non-Hadisic "Mussar" Sefarim that the Rebbe suggests we learn. Iggros Volume 28 Pg 217

The month of Nissan is a time of freedom from not only physical slavery but also emotional turmoil, and this letter from Rosh Chodesh Nissan 1973 captures the connection between Pesach and liberation from worry and doubt. The class discusses strategies the Rebbe shared over the years to remove worry from our lives. Iggros Volume 28 Pg 175