The Library

With regards to teshuvah – returning to G‑d – the common notion is that it wholly consists of tears and intense remorse. After all, if one really feels bad for a wrongdoing, it is only natural to cry. Let me tell you a story. Before entering a private audience with the Re...

On Lag Baomer, we joyfully sing: "Omar R‘ Akiva, Ashreichem Yisrael! Ma hamikva metaher es hat’meim kach Hkb’h metaher es yisroel.“ Why was it necessary for R’ Akiva to tell us this? The Lubavitcher Rebbe explains: As we know, there are no extra words in Mishnayos. There...

Do not EVER let the Yetzer Hara make you sad or dejected if you stumble. This sadness can be worse than the sin itself. The Yetzer Hara is hoping to get you depressed and take you away from Hashem and from yourself. We must always serve Hashem be'simcha. This is one of th...

See the original letter here. By the Grace of G-d 25th of Shevat, 5746 Brooklyn, N.Y. Greeting and Blessing: This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter of Jan. 26th, in which you write about a serious problem. As requested, I will remember you in prayer for the fulfi...

I once read an amazing few words from the Lubavitcher Rebbe in a letter to someone who was struggling with emotional stress: "Being involved with Torah will of course help your mind from these distracting thoughts. By 'being involved (osek) b'Torah, I don't necessarily me...

The mishna says "any fish with scales has fins". (On the flip side, a fish with fins might not have scales). 'Fins' indicate the positive mitvas: 'action related' activities we do as we navigate through the day (like having fins to get us around). Scales are a 'protective...

Going through Sha'ar Ha'bitachon in Chovos Ha'livavos six times helped (and still helps) me tremendously. (Addicts should start from chapter 1, not the 'pesicha' introduction, to the sha'ar, I think). It's just 70 pages of warm, warm loving words of compassion and persona...