"One cannot expect a Jew who has drifted from the Jewish way of life to transform himself suddenly, and it is necessary to bring him closer to G-d by stages, yet we have to present to him the true aspects of our Torah and Mitzvoth, and not in any diluted form.
Letters by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, p. 176
Seems an obvious point, but how many in kiruv fail to honor it?
Notes and Reflections on Chabad Chasidus -- Dedicated to the members of Congregation Anshe Libowitz of Brownsville, Brooklyn
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The Spirit Within
Some notes from Keeping in Touch, Parshas Toldos:
Two parshas begin with the word "Toldos." The parsha detailing Isaac's life gets called Toldos because of his special way of creating a legacy, ie a life of inner meaning that inspires others.
Isaac's divine service was inward. This is the symbolism of wells. He led via the example of having an inward focus and finding the Godly core. "In this manner, the awareness of G-d becomes an integral part of one's life. It does not remain dependent on the teachings of others, but comes from one's own insight. This in turn enables one to realize the G-dliness present in every element of existence."
"Indeed, the awareness inspired by Isaac was more permanent than that generated by Abraham, for it came from the people themselves."
Lubavitcher Rebbe
Two parshas begin with the word "Toldos." The parsha detailing Isaac's life gets called Toldos because of his special way of creating a legacy, ie a life of inner meaning that inspires others.
Isaac's divine service was inward. This is the symbolism of wells. He led via the example of having an inward focus and finding the Godly core. "In this manner, the awareness of G-d becomes an integral part of one's life. It does not remain dependent on the teachings of others, but comes from one's own insight. This in turn enables one to realize the G-dliness present in every element of existence."
"Indeed, the awareness inspired by Isaac was more permanent than that generated by Abraham, for it came from the people themselves."
Lubavitcher Rebbe
The Rebbe on Parnassah
"Greeting and Blessing:
On the first day of Shevat, as the Torah relates (Deut. 1:3), Moshe Rabbeinu [Moses] began the recitation of the Book of Devorim [Deut.] - Mishne Torah [Repetition of the Torah].
The timing of the Repetition of the Torah was significant for the Jews in that it served to prepare them for their entry into the Promised Land. On the verge of leaving a place where for years they had no material care, since all their needs in the way of food, clothing and shelter had been miraculously provided (by means of the Manna, the Well, the Clouds of Glory, etc), and before settling down in a land, and way of life, which necessitate tilling, sowing, reaping, and all other mundane preoccupations - the Jews had to receive a special measure of spiritual invigoration and admonition, so that they should not become materialistic and debased in the material world that lay ahead, but - on the contrary - would instill holiness into, and spiritualize and elevate, the material aspects of daily life, transforming the material into the spiritual, by means of the Torah and Mitzvoth [commandments], Tzedoko [charity] and acts of lovingkindness.
Such is also the function of yeshivoth, especially in recent generations.
Some people think that the main purpose of a Yeshiva is to train Rabbis, Shochetim [ritual slaughterers], and other Jewish clergymen. This is not so, for the essential and main purpose is to create Jewish laymen, who, before going out into the world of business, trade, or profession, would be imbued and permeated with Torah and Yiras Shomayim [fear of heaven], and later, living within this world, would be capable of elevating their entire environment by inspiring every Jew they come in contact with, with love of G-d, love of the Torah, and love of fellow-Jew - in actual daily practice.
Letters By the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Vol. I, Tishrei-Adar, p. 260 and LChaimWeekly
Is this not the most encouraging message about earning a living that you have ever heard? One usually hears that either one may forced to earn a living but while you are there you can practice your honesty in the filthy environment -- not the most encouraging send off message. With Hirsch, you are contributing to your host society, which is more encouraging. Here you are sanctifying the physical and sharing love. Wow.
On the first day of Shevat, as the Torah relates (Deut. 1:3), Moshe Rabbeinu [Moses] began the recitation of the Book of Devorim [Deut.] - Mishne Torah [Repetition of the Torah].
The timing of the Repetition of the Torah was significant for the Jews in that it served to prepare them for their entry into the Promised Land. On the verge of leaving a place where for years they had no material care, since all their needs in the way of food, clothing and shelter had been miraculously provided (by means of the Manna, the Well, the Clouds of Glory, etc), and before settling down in a land, and way of life, which necessitate tilling, sowing, reaping, and all other mundane preoccupations - the Jews had to receive a special measure of spiritual invigoration and admonition, so that they should not become materialistic and debased in the material world that lay ahead, but - on the contrary - would instill holiness into, and spiritualize and elevate, the material aspects of daily life, transforming the material into the spiritual, by means of the Torah and Mitzvoth [commandments], Tzedoko [charity] and acts of lovingkindness.
Such is also the function of yeshivoth, especially in recent generations.
Some people think that the main purpose of a Yeshiva is to train Rabbis, Shochetim [ritual slaughterers], and other Jewish clergymen. This is not so, for the essential and main purpose is to create Jewish laymen, who, before going out into the world of business, trade, or profession, would be imbued and permeated with Torah and Yiras Shomayim [fear of heaven], and later, living within this world, would be capable of elevating their entire environment by inspiring every Jew they come in contact with, with love of G-d, love of the Torah, and love of fellow-Jew - in actual daily practice.
Letters By the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Vol. I, Tishrei-Adar, p. 260 and LChaimWeekly
Is this not the most encouraging message about earning a living that you have ever heard? One usually hears that either one may forced to earn a living but while you are there you can practice your honesty in the filthy environment -- not the most encouraging send off message. With Hirsch, you are contributing to your host society, which is more encouraging. Here you are sanctifying the physical and sharing love. Wow.
Why We Need Mitzvos
Notes on Acharei Mos
Aharon's sons died because they approached G-d from pure spirit and did not tie it back to physical acts as symbolized by their entering Holy of Holies, not wearing all the proper garments, not marrying or having children (Midrash). Mitzvos are garments of the soul.
Blog note: this can explain why even if limud Torah has special properties that mitzvos don't have we still need to do mitzvos. Hashem wants us to rectify, bring holiness into the world and we need mitzvos for that. The Baal HaTanya explains that Torah study brings the soul closer to Hashem but mitzvos bring the sechinah into the world and that is our purpose, to make the world a dwelling place. This is why mitzvos displace Torah study if there's nobody else around to do the mitzvah. Why can the mitzvah be done by another? Because the important thing is that somebody does it. The goal concerns Hashem.
Lubavitcher Rebbe
R' Avigdor Miller explains that our goal is to become an eved Hashem and for that we need to use our free choice to surrender our free choice to do His will. (YK note: the mitzvos are His will. How can you be an Eved if you are not doing anything.) He says we must learn from the mitzvos and not just do them.
See also Tehillim 119 on the love for commandments.
Aharon's sons died because they approached G-d from pure spirit and did not tie it back to physical acts as symbolized by their entering Holy of Holies, not wearing all the proper garments, not marrying or having children (Midrash). Mitzvos are garments of the soul.
Blog note: this can explain why even if limud Torah has special properties that mitzvos don't have we still need to do mitzvos. Hashem wants us to rectify, bring holiness into the world and we need mitzvos for that. The Baal HaTanya explains that Torah study brings the soul closer to Hashem but mitzvos bring the sechinah into the world and that is our purpose, to make the world a dwelling place. This is why mitzvos displace Torah study if there's nobody else around to do the mitzvah. Why can the mitzvah be done by another? Because the important thing is that somebody does it. The goal concerns Hashem.
Lubavitcher Rebbe
R' Avigdor Miller explains that our goal is to become an eved Hashem and for that we need to use our free choice to surrender our free choice to do His will. (YK note: the mitzvos are His will. How can you be an Eved if you are not doing anything.) He says we must learn from the mitzvos and not just do them.
See also Tehillim 119 on the love for commandments.
The Rebbe on the Greeks
"They would have allowed the Jews to study Torah and observe mitzvos — the mishpatim and the eduyos — so long as they did not mention that the Torah was G‑d’s and that the mitzvos were “the decrees of His will.” Hayom Yom: Tackling Life's Tasks - 2 Teves, Day 7 of Chanukah
I can think of "Orthodox" groups that seem to approach life this way. They'll study Torah all day long but mention G-d, hardly ever.
I can think of "Orthodox" groups that seem to approach life this way. They'll study Torah all day long but mention G-d, hardly ever.
Tanya - End of Chapter 8
Following what seem like disparaging remarks on secular studies, we see this:
"Unless he employs [these sciences] as a useful instrument, viz., as a means of a more affluent livelihood to be able to serve G‑d, or knows how to apply them in the service of G‑d and His Torah. This is the reason why Maimonides and Nachmanides, of blessed memory, and their adherents, engaged in them."
"Unless he employs [these sciences] as a useful instrument, viz., as a means of a more affluent livelihood to be able to serve G‑d, or knows how to apply them in the service of G‑d and His Torah. This is the reason why Maimonides and Nachmanides, of blessed memory, and their adherents, engaged in them."
The only thing that can help you
"See Joseph Telushkin, Rebbe: The Life and Teachings of Menachem M. Schneerson, the Most Influential Rabbi in Modern History (New York, 2014), p. 189, who quotes what the Rebbe told R. Leibel Groner: "When it comes to a marriage, not I can help you, not your father can help you, not your mother can help you, not your seichel [your intellectual faculties] can help you. The only thing that can help you is your heart. If you feel for her, go ahead. If you don't do not."
R. Hershel Schachter, Gedolim, Rachel Morpurgo, and More - Marc Shapiro
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