Copyright. Different הסכמות, approbations and some stories. ר’ זושא ור’ ליב הכהן, Reb Zusha, and Reb Leib HaKohen The hidden tzaddik “Carl.” The Alter Rebbe’s children publish a complete Tanya with five sections and explain what they are. Haskama for that also. Text-based Tanya classes from Rabbi Yossi Paltiel are available on his site, http://www.insidechassidus.org/ Posted on thelongshortway.org with permission.
What are we celebrating on Chanukah? What was the Greeks’ issue with the Jewish people? This edition of The Long Short Way covers an excerpt of the Rebbe’s ma’amer, Tonu Rabbonon Mitzvas Ner Chanukah, from Parshas Mikeitz, 5738 (1978). This ma’amer was distributed with its sequel in honor of Chanukah, 5747 (1987). Download the PDF here. A War On Spirit The Greeks defiled the oil in the Heichal of the Beis HaMikdosh as an act of…
Three reasons not to write the Tanya: Not everyone has enough clarity to understand what he reads without getting confused. If a sefer is a product only שכל אנושי, human intellect, it’s reach and appeal is limited. Even when the Sefer is a product of שכל אלוקי, G-dly intellect, the complexity of הנסתרות, the hidden parts of Torah, makes it almost impossible to identify your part and avoda in Chassidus. The answer to these questions: As a Rebbe he…
What is the Torah’s relevance to the real worlds? What role does Chassidus play? How does Torah refine the world? This edition of The Long Short Way covers an excerpt of the Rebbe’s ma’amer, Podoh V’Sholom 5741 (1980). This ma’amer was said and distributed in honor of 10 Kislev, the birthday and yohrtzeit of the Mittler Rebbe. Download the PDF Real Triumph These questions can be answered from both a physical and spiritual perspective. At…
Three reasons not to write the Tanya: Not everyone has enough clarity to understand what he reads without getting confused. If a sefer is a product only שכל אנושי, human intellect, it’s reach and appeal is limited. Even when the Sefer is a product of שכל אלוקי, G-dly intellect, the complexity of הנסתרות, the hidden parts of Torah, makes it almost impossible to identify your part and avoda in Chassidus. Text-based Tanya…
If I’m able to make up a missed mitzvah, why do I need to do mitzvos every day? Open parts one, two, three, and four in a new tab. Download the PDF here. Shifting Our Gaze The purpose of Torah and mitzvos is to refine and cleanse the material world. ח) אַךְ הָעִנְיָן הוּא, דְהִנֵה יָדוּעַ שְׁהַתַּכְלִית דְתּוֹרָה וּמִצְווֹת הוּא לִפְעוֹל בִּירוּר וְזִיכוּךְ בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶה הַגַשְׁמִי. Most people live a lifestyle —or want to live a lifestyle—based on their…
A Rebbe writes for his flock in a way that is not subjective: based on where they are at. Chassidus is abstract and practical. The Tanya’s objectivity and clarity is why it’s accessible to everyone. It isn’t an opinion or a series of examples—it’s the soul of the entire Jewish people in book form. The objectivity of the tzaddik is what makes it so practical. Text-based Tanya classes from Rabbi Yossi Paltiel can be found on his site,…
Handle With Care What is the role of human effort? Can my life relate to G-d’s? This is part four of a series on the Rebbe’s ma’amer, V’Avrohom Zokein, 5738 (1977), from Parshas Chayei Sara. Open part one, two and part three in a new tab. View and download the PDF here. ו) וְיֵשׁ לוֹמַר בְּדֶרֶךְ אֶפְשָׁר דְהַגַם שְׁהִזְדַכְּכוּת הַתּוֹרָה וּמִצְווֹת וְהַעֲלָאתָן לְמַעֲלָה נַעֲשָׂה עַל יְדֵי הַמַלְאָכִים, מִכָּל מָקוֹם, מִכֵּיוָן שְׁתַּכְלִית הַשְׁלֵימוּת דְכָל עִנְיָן הוּא כַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא נַעֲשֶׂה עֲל יְדֵי עַבוֹדַת הָאָדָם (וְלָכֵן…
On the Shoulders of Giants How far does human effort reach? Is it even possible for a person to communicate with the infinite G-d? The ultimate self-made man is limited by his efforts to succeed—then what is effort for? This is part three of a series on the Rebbe’s ma’amer, V’Avrohom Zokein, 5738 (1977), from Parshas Chayei Sara. Open part one and two in a new tab. View and download the PDF here (for iPhone, here). ד) וְהִנֵה מְצַד הַהִתְלַבְּשׁוּת דְתּוֹרָה…
Why should we be consistent? What difference does it make if I do or don’t do mitzvos? I won’t be the first and I won’t be the last? Summary of part one: This ma’amer is based on the verse “And Avraham became old, advanced in age (bo bayomim).” “Bo bayomim,” literally means, “entered into days,” meaning that all of Avraham’s days were complete and full. The Zohar explains that Avraham entered into the “supernal days,” meaning that his time became holy. Time—like anything…