ב"ה

18 Elul, 5742 • September 6, 1982
The 18th of Elul is the birthday of two “great luminaries,” the Baal Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe.
From the moment of birth, a person’s mission begins. He becomes an active force in the lives of others, and day by day his ability to interact with the world increases. Those blessed with exceptional spiritual capacities immediately radiate holiness around them; they are destined to elevate the world to remarkable divine heights.

Have you ever experienced the tug-of-war called life? Have you ever oscillated between the melodic voice whispering sublime dreams in one ear and the harsh guttural shrill growling depressing nightmares in the other? The Tanya, as Rabbi YY Jacobson so majestically presents, tells the tale of your two souls.

18 Elul, 5742 • September 6, 1982
The 18th of Elul is the birthday of two “great luminaries,” the Baal Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe.
From the moment of birth, a person’s mission begins. He becomes an active force in the lives of others, and day by day his ability to interact with the world increases. Those blessed with exceptional spiritual capacities immediately radiate holiness around them; they are destined to elevate the world to remarkable divine heights.

The Unique Power of the "Frontlets Between Your Eyes"
The Talmud says that the verse (Deut. 28:10) "All the peoples of the earth will see that the name of the Lord is called upon you" refers to wearing the head tefillin. How does the head tefillin cause G-d's name to be "called upon" the one who wears them?

Studying Rashi: Parshat Ki-Tavo
On the final day of Moses' life, he tells the Jewish nation, “You have now been given a heart to know, and eyes to see.” (Deuteronomy 29:3) Rashi explains that only at this point was Israel able to “recognize G-d's kindness.” How is it possible that throughout forty years of miracles, the Jewish nation didn't appreciate what had happened to then until that day?

The Alter Rebbe would read the Torah in public. One year, he was away during the Torah
reading of Ki Savo, and his young son and future successor, Rabbi Dovber, heard someone else read the portion, which includes G-d’s severe rebuke of the Jewish people. The son became so distressed that he fainted, and weeks later it was still questionable whether he’d be able to fast on Yom Kippur. The chasidim later asked him: “In previous years you didn’t faint; what happened this year?” The boy responded, “When father reads it, I don’t hear curses.”

Joy in the Torah’s ‘Threats and Curses’
Several days ago a Texas mom named Candace Payne posted a video of herself laughing hysterically wearing a talking Chewbacca mask; it's since gone viral. Chewbacca roared, she laughed, and millions are laughing with her. But why? The setup is mundane: A woman in a van with a silly mask and a dash cam, yet incredibly the whole world went ape over it. This class finds an incredible link to the weekly Torah portion, and gets to the bottom of this remarkable phenomenon—giving you a Torah-true timeless take on this latest trend to sweep social media. Listen, learn and be delighted!

Learning Likutei Sichos vol. 19, Ki Savo - Chai Elul
The 18th of Elul is a special day on the Chassidic calendar and coincides with parshas Ki Savo. The shared theme is about truly arriving. Discover what it means that Chassidus brings Judaism to life, and Chabad infuses every aspect of Judaism with vitality.

Chana’s Prayer and Rosh Hashanah
On Rosh Hashana we read in the Haftorah about the birth of the prophet Samuel. Childless for many years, one year on Rosh Hashana, his mother Chana offered a prayer that elicited the Divine blessing resulting in his birth. The Talmud states that Chana's prayer is the model which all prayer aught emulate. This class will explain how to access the awesome power of prayer any time and especially on Rosh Hashana. (Likutei Sichos vol. 29, p.182)

Learning Likutei Sichos vol. 29, Ki Seitzei sicha 1
Explore the different types of prohibited mixes (in clothing, seeds, and animals). Learn which energies don't mix well (and why), which will explain why specifically shatnex (unlike other forbidden mixtures) can be used in a mitzvah (for the priestly garm

Learning Likutei Sichos vol. 29, Ki Savo sicha 1
At times, when giving Bikkurim to the Kohen, the basket is also gifted. Learn four ways to understand the role of the container of the first fruit. Discover the spiritual takeaway: our souls are so lofty, how do they benefit from living in our limited bod

Learning Likutei Sichos vol. 29, Re'eh sicha 1
The Rambam details how the area of the Beis Hamikdash was not flat; rather it was built on the elevation of the mountain, consisting of different levels of elevation (unlike the Mishkan, which was one flat level). This speaks to the heart of what it’s all
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