Preventative Medicine

The Lubavitcher Rebbe on Medical - Halachic Research

Shulchan Aruch HaRav and Rebbe Rayatz of Chabad on what to study.

"Every Jewish male — whether poor or rich, whether of perfect health or ailing, even a poor man who begs from door to door, and even one who is married and has children — is obligated to establish a fixed time to study the Torah by day and by night, as it is written, 'And you shall meditate on it day and night.'

"During this time one must study the Written Law, and also the Oral Law, [which comprises both] conclusive legal rulings and Talmud. One should not restrict himself to Talmud if his Torah study is in its early stages, for initially one should know many of [the laws defining] what is forbidden and what is permitted, without [studying] their motivating principles and supports. [Moreover, one should learn] how to practice the mitzvos that are currently incumbent upon us, so that he will know how to observe and perform and will not sin, [even] before he knows everything properly from an in-depth study of the Talmud. (Shulchan Aruch HaRav, SECTION 155 The Universal Obligation to Study the Torah. (1-2))"  Chabad.org


Sometimes it seems as if some people deem Chassidus the only topic worthy of study but you see from the Baal HaTanya a very different picture of primary subject matter.

And now the Rebbe Rayatz:

"Everyone should study mishnayos by heart, according to his ability, repeating them while walking in the street. Through this, we will merit to greet Mashiach.

Chassidim must study Chassidus. Chassidim in general should do so on Monday, Thursday, and Shabbos. Temimim should do so for an hour every day."

HaYom Yom Tackling Life's Tasks - 21 Kislev

And then there's the Besht: "The Baal Shem Tov conducted a regular study session in Gemara with his disciples, combining acumen and erudition. It embraced the writings of Rambam, R. Yitzchak Alfasi, and Rabbeinu Asher, and other commentaries of the Rishonim1 that were relevant to the passage under discussion." (Hayom Yom: Tackling Life's Tasks - 13 Cheshvan)

Step by Step

"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?

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

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. 

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.

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.