By Tzvi Freeman The history of the world, the Talmud tells us, comprises six eras of one thousand years each. In his commentary on Genesis, Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman (Nachmanides) describes a unique theme for each millennium, corresponding to the themes of the six days in which the world was created. By this account, we entered the sixth and final day […]

By Tzvi Freeman There are two ways to ask for something. One is to kvetch. The other is a little more sophisticated. Here’s a high-level example: I’m working at home on what turns out to be one of those summer days when there’s no school, no camp, and nothing for the kids to do. Printer runs out of ink. My chance […]

By Tzvi Freeman If you were to create a world, the first thing you would need to master is tsimtsum. Tsimtsum is a way of being present in your absence. Get that one down, along with creating something out of nothing, and everything else is a piece of cake. Tsimtsum literally means “reduction.” For a Kabbalist, a tsimtsum is a reduction […]

By Rabbi Moshe Bryski In the days of communism’s fierce grip on the Soviet Union, there lived a Chasidic Jew named Reb Mendel Futerfas. Reb Mendel repeatedly put his life at risk with his efforts to promote Jewish education behind the Iron Curtain, and for some 14 years was incarcerated in prisons and labor camps for his “crime” of teaching Torah. […]

By Tzvi Freeman Nowadays it’s a motorbike. Back then it was a fast horse. So this teenage kid pulls up to the shul on his speedy white horse, ties it to a post and swaggers in for a talk with the rabbi. The Big Rabbi. RabbiSchneur Zalman of Liadi. Just so he can get his parents off his back. “Hi rabbi! Watzup?” He […]

What’s So Great About Failure? By Tzvi Freeman We need failure. The world is designed in such a way that people can fail—and fail so often. So often that at times it seems there is more failure than success. We all need failure. Failure, you see, is the only way you can fall out of the script. Yes, that’s frightening. […]

Dear All, A fantastic time was had by all over Simchat Torah and I just wanted to express thanks to all those who not only made it possible but really  excelled. Too many people to  mention individually but the Rabbis, Overlander family and the catering department, the Chassonim and everybody else contributed to make it a Simchat Torah full of Simcha and one to remember. […]

The streets of Hendon, UK were lit up with fireworks and fire jugglers, while live music and dancing went on well into the night. Simchas Beis Hashoeva took place Wednesday night first night of Chol Hamoed outside of Chabad House of Hendon, in London. First it started off with a small crowd because of the rain but with the rain […]

By Rabbi Tzvi Freeman For seven days of Sukkot, Jews walk around in circles, carrying an assortment of green and yellow flora. Then, on Simchat Torah, they dance in circles carrying Hebrew scrolls, working up to a frenzy. Did I say dance? Well, it’s more like marching, your hands over the next guy’s shoulders, singing and stomping as you march […]

By Rabbi Tzvi Freeman Dear Rabbi, In general, I enjoy your daily thoughts. However, today’s Daily Dose made me very upset: Everything can be done with joy. Even remorse can be with joy. My son is going through treatment for a rare form of leukemia. Not “everything” can be done with joy, and trying to do so would make you […]