19th of Kislev: In the Merit of the Land of Israel

by Rav Yitzchak Ginzberg, translated by Hillel Fendel

Two and a quarter centuries ago, on the 19^th of Kislev 5559 [1798], the founder of Chabad-Lubavitch, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (the Admor HaZaken), was freed from his imprisonment in czarist Russia. He had been incarcerated because certain "objectors" (misnagdim) to Hassidut had falsely libeled him to the Czar. When he was freed, the Rebbe realized that more than just a personal liberation, this event was a spiritual struggle – the result of objections to his dissemination of the "inner Torah of Hassidut." This meant to him that his release was the victory of Hassidut and a Heavenly sign and instruction that he must continue to disseminate the light even more strongly. 

Vayishlah: Guarding the Honor of Israel

by Rav Zalman Baruch Melamed, translated by Hillel Fendel 

Some people ask if it is permitted to endanger oneself for the sake of the honor of the People of Israel. It seems from this week's Torah portion that the answer is yes.

Q&A: How can I trust the transmission of the Torah?

 

Q. I have been bothered for a long time by a question of faith that I have not found discussed by any of the Rishonim [the medieval-period early commentators]. I am a religious person, with no doubts about the existence of the Creator or the concept of Reward and Punishment, both of which are necessitated by logic. I also believe in the World to Come. But what mainly bothers me is how our traditions were transmitted. Our faith is based on 600,000 adult males who saw with their own eyes and experienced receiving the Torah at Sinai, and transmitted this to the generations afterwards. Why shouldn't we say that, just like other peoples had folklore and legends that they believed, we also had such tales throughout the period of the Judges and First Temple, and that at the time of Ezra the Scribe, he gathered them all together into one book that we now call the Torah? After all, the Talmud says that during his time, parts of the Torah were forgotten and he reinstated them. 

Veyeitze: "How Awesome is This Place" – Beit El!

by Chaim Avihu Schwartz, translated by Hillel Fendel

Ever since the times of our holy forefathers Avraham, Yitzhak and Yaakov, the site and town of Beit El has been a central and sacred place. Here, in this holy spot, Yaakov Avinu dreams his famous Dream of the Ladder – and when he awakens, he says: "There actually is G-d in this place, and I did not know." He then continues: "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the House of G-d, and this is the gateway to the Heavens."

Q&A: How Can I Trust the Truth of Sinai?

 

Q. I'm a religious person, but of late the following issue has been bothering me: Our faith is based on the giving of the Torah at the Stand at Mt. Sinai. How do we know that Moshe Rabbeinu did not do some kind of magic of lights and pyrotechnics that caused the nation to believe that that's what happened? Today, too, we have great magicians who fool the audience into thinking what they want them to think – so surely 3,335 years ago, with a generation that basically believed in idol-worship, magicians could certainly fool people!  

And secondly, what's this in the Book of Kings about King Hezkiyahu suddenly finding a Torah scroll and getting the nation to vow to observe everything written there? Perhaps everything began right then??