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Chassidus Perspective

The Yam Suf’s Identity Crisis

Why did Hashem stipulate with the sea that it would split? He surely would have been able to split it without this stipulation!

It was as if the sea was begging to be split, so its existence could be accounted for!

Chazak Chazak Venischazek!

What type of inspiration are we supposed to get from the last possuk of Sefer Bereishis?

Knowing that Yosef was with them in golus gave the Jews the strength to prevail with flying colors.

A Name Change With a Difference

The way Yaakov received the berachos teaches us that we must approach gashmiyus with “deceit.”

Shabbos empowers us to enter the week full of spiritual energy, ready to delve into gashmiyus with the right intent.

Two Sisters and a Lesson in Piety

You cannot adhere to a stringency if that will stop you from fulfilling a clear halachah.

The way we relate to others is more important than our personal chumros.

The Twofold Blessing

Hashem, of course, is unlimited. If He gives a blessing, it surely does not lack anything. Why give a second time?

Avraham’s Old Age

You can climb up and reach down at the same time. Personal growth and outreach can, and must, go hand in hand.

A Reward of Dust and Ashes

We learn from Avraham that inviting guests is greater than welcoming Hashem’s presence. But how did Avraham know this?

Descending Upwards

Lech Lecha means that we must “travel” until we reach our true selves.

Depth of the Dance

Torah study must be in the spirit of the preceding berachos, with the recognition that it includes a much deeper dimension.

A Jew and, lehavdil, another person can learn the same Torah text, yet it is two entirely different things.

The Joy of Kabolas Ol

The great joy associated with the Nisuch Hamayim is the ability to generate an excitement in serving Hashem based on the directive to do so.

The Incredible Power of Yom Kippur

On Yom Kippur, the day itself atones. Teshuva is still necessary, as it connects the essential nature of the Jew with his conscious faculties, which allows that connection to last beyond Yom Kippur.

The Depth of Coronation

Teshuva stems from the fact that, despite external conduct to the contrary, deep down we all desire to do Hashem’s Will and are bothered enough that it results in teshuva.

It’s only possible to feel guilty and repent if the king whose commands we’ve flouted is already king. Thus the prerequisite of teshuva is crowning Hashem as king.

 

The Baal Shem Tov’s 47th Birthday

When a person learns Chassidus Chabad, one ultimately internalizes even concepts that are above sechel.

R. Levi Yitzchak wasn’t referring to the Tanya’s small number of pages; rather, intellect as a whole is a “small book.”

Of Roots and Branches

When we base our actions on our intellect, we are limited—we will only do as much as we understand.

Our motivation to understand shouldn’t be simply for the sake of understanding, but because Hashem wants us to.

Golus, and How to Leave It

In order to leave golus sooner, we must recognize what makes it so terrible.

Even when involved in Torah and mitzvos, he is concerned how his actions will be viewed by those around him.

The Egyptian Anochi

It is specifically in Mitzrayim where the power of Anochi is unleashed.

Only Hashem Himself can give a Jew the koach to do an activity associated with the “Egyptian language” in a pure, sacred manner.

Is Devarim Different?

If Mishneh Torah also comes from Hashem, how is it different from the first four sefarim?

Mishneh Torah was not Moshe’s own words; it is the word of Hashem, as it became united with Moshe’s intellect.

Moshe said Mishneh Torah with ruach hakodesh. A similar thing can be said about the tzaddikim and chachmei Yisroel of each generation.

The Ongoing Journey

What was Yetzias Mitzrayim yesterday is still Mitzrayim today, and we must leave those meitzarim for yet a higher merchav.

We might be striving higher and higher; however, as long as we have not reached Moshiach, things are not as they should be.

Affectionate Counting

The love of a parent for a child is associated with his very essence. If someone bothers your child, he is bothering you.

The Right Type of Daas

Even if someone outwardly appears distant from Yiddishkeit, there are times when his belief comes to the fore.

By focusing on the good, and telling him that he is a Jew and wants to do what’s right, we can reveal his inner good and make it shine.

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