Essays
The Thousand-Year Difference: The Mitzvot of Purim
Purim revealed a new dimension to our observance of Torah, establishing it as a freely-elected way of life, as opposed to a set of compelling duties. And this thousand-year difference is reflected in several of the mitzvot of Purim.
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The Soul of a Conflict
This address by the Rebbe discusses how Korach erred by attempting to create perfection in an imperfect world..
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The Runaway Soul
How tzaraat is related to Chassidic teaching that the human soul is driven by two contrary forces: the drive to “run” or escape (ratzo), and the drive to settle (shov).
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A Visitor From Tohu
Tohu was a world comprised of the ten supernal sefirot. However, there they existed as ten distinct elements, devoid of all relationship with or even tolerance for each other.
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A Pool of Fire: The Kohen Gadol
The human kohen gadol is one who has been imparted a greater measure of holiness than his more mundane fellows. The kohen in G-d is G-d’s “holiness”.
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A Private World: The Eiruv
The ultimate function of Shabbat is to establish an eiruv in our “multi-occupant courtyard”: to integrate the diverse forces and realities of our world as a singular, harmonious expression of the divine truth; to make the exclusivity of G-d’s “ownership” as real in our lives as it is from G-d’s own perspective.
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The Colors of Blood Cells
The deeper significance of the colors of the various blood cells.
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G-d on the Moon
The moon’s greatness—her capacity to receive—is born of a sense of diminution and insufficiency.
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Forty Nine Days
Counting the Omer: Each of these days becomes a component of our reborn selves, as we internalize the freedom obtained at the Exodus as the essence of our commitment to G-d as His chosen people.
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Light Reading: The Story of Light
I am watching the candles; the candles are watching me. I listen to their story; they listen to mine. Their warmth is my warmth; their light is my light; their story is my story – it is the story of light.
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