Shiur# - Parsha
Name of Shiur
Summary
1-19
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What is Real Mesiras Nefesh -Self Sacrifice?
Affecting and Refining the World
The Merging of Love and Awe
How to Beat the Yetzer Hara
A fascinating insight of the Lubavitcher Rebbe into the depth of Midrash. Once again, the Rebbe shows how every detail in Torah is precise to the ultimate degree.The sicha will bring out the practical applications of these concepts in lessons to be applied in our day to day lives. Some of the themes discussed in this Sicha include: Simcha - Joy in the times of Exile.How to overcome Nisyonos - tests. The relationship between our Avos, forefathers, and their descendants. The significance of numbers.
The Revolutionary Breakthrough of Chassidus
The critical importance of learning and spreading Chassidus. A fascinating discussion in which the Lubavitcher Rebbe shows that in Torah, everything is significant. Even the stories in Torah are important and must be learned, analyzed, and internalized. Everything below has a spiritual source above. A discussion of the Ten Supernal Emanations - The Sefiros.
You're Either With Hashem or You're Against Him
A tremendous Sicha giving us an understanding of what Torah is about, how we should learn Torah. The great miracle taking place each time we learn Torah. Why do people "shake" when learning Torah? Halachah and Agadeta in Gemorrah. Each part of Torah is crucial and precious. In this Sicha the Rebbe teaches an Agadeta of the Gemorrah with so much depth and practical application.
How to celebrate Chanukah - An Analytical Discussion into the Depth of the Holiday
This Sicha is based on a ruling of the Rambam and his approach to the observance of Chanukah. An analysis of the wording of the Rambam. The Rebbe will dig into the depth of the significance of Chanukah, thereby coming to an understanding of the Rambam's words and a deeper appreciation of the Holiday.
When to Cry and When Not to Cry
The Two Requirements necessary to leave Golus
Bitachon
Tracht gut - Vet zein gut - Think good and it will be good.Bitachon - Trust in G -d. This sicha deals with one of the fundamental concepts of Judaism. There is much ignorance concerning the true meaning of this idea. In this sicha two major issue will be dealt with. A. What exactly is Bitachon? B. Bitachon seems to be in direct contradiction to one of the 13 principles of Judaism.Bitachon is part of the essential aspect of Chinuch - education. Bitachon is not a science, it is something which is an outgrowth of a Jew's bond with G -d. But nevertheless, there are intellectual principles concerning Bitachon which can, and must, be understood.This is a sicha which has changed people's lives.
The Essence of Redemption
This Sicha is about The Essence of Redemption. In this Sicha the Rebbe will teach us a fascinating insight on Geulah - Redemption. We will also learn about Galus - Exile, what is the purpose of the Exile. Especially, the Exile of Egypt. Concernig the present Exile. One might think that it is a punishment. But this can not be said concering the Exile in Egypt. We will also learn the inner dimension of Yetzias Mitzrayim - the Exodus from Egypt. There is a Mitzvah to remember every day the Exodus, and the Alter Rebbe says in Tanya that every Jew, every day should leave Egypt. What exactly is this leaving of Egypt will be discussed.Something else that will be discussed in this Sicha is the Names of G -d, as well as the deeper dimension of Emes - Truth.
Clothing the Naked Brings the Geulah
This Sicha discusses how to bring the redemption. The thrust of the Sicha is how the redemption from Egypt took place, and from this we will also learn how the redemption will take place from our current Exile. The context of the Sicha is a discussion on a commentary of Rashi on our Parsha.The Rebbe goes through a brilliant analysis of this Rashi, giving us insight, depth and clarity in understanding what it takes to bring the redemption.
The Advantage and Greatness of Women in the perspective of Torah
Why are women exempt from certain Mitzvos?This sicha deals with Parshas Yisro, but also is connected with the 22nd of Shvat, the Yahrtzeit of the Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, daughter of the Previous Rebbe and wife of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. There is a general rule that all positive (do) commandments which are time dependent, such as shaking the Lulav on Sukkos, are not obligatory upon women. There is another principle in the Torah that the religion of the child is determined exclusively by the mother. If the Mother is a Jew, then the child is a Jew regardless of the identity of the father. On the other hand, in regards to the tribal lineage, and determination of priesthood (Kohen, Levi, or Yisrael) the determination is made by the lineage of the father. Why?
The Advantage and Greatness of Women in the perspective of Torah
Why are women exempt from certain Mitzvos?This sicha deals with Parshas Yisro, but also is connected with the 22nd of Shvat, the Yahrtzeit of the Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, daughter of the Previous Rebbe and wife of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. There is a general rule that all positive (do) commandments which are time dependent, such as shaking the Lulav on Sukkos, are not obligatory upon women. There is another principle in the Torah that the religion of the child is determined exclusively by the mother. If the Mother is a Jew, then the child is a Jew regardless of the identity of the father. On the other hand, in regards to the tribal lineage, and determination of priesthood (Kohen, Levi, or Yisrael) the determination is made by the lineage of the father. Why?
The Beis Hamikdash in Heaven Corresponds to the Beis Hamikdash Below
This is a Rashi Sicha in which the Rebbe analyzes a comment of Rashi on the parsha. This is a fascinating, novel approach to understanding the words of Rashi. Time and again, in this type of Sicha the Rebbe brings out a new understanding of this classic commentary.
The Three Pillars of the World
In this Sicha we will see once again the Rebbe's method of studying Torah, in which every word is ultimately precise. The slightest change is deliberate and paticular. Another part of the Rebbe's approach is something we see time and again in the Sichas: Those parts of the Torah that sometimes appear to be issues of "local" significance, are revealed by the Rebbe to actually be of "global" importance in the Torah, and fundamentally significant to Judaism in general. This Sicha will be dealing with the purpose of creation. We will see how the studying of Torah, prayer, and fulfillment of good deeds are the three ways that we serve G -d. The Rebbe will teach us how each of these three is unique, and which of the these three is the most essential in G -d's plan of creation. Parshas Terumah deals with the construction of the Mishkan, the Sanctuary in the desert. The Torah discusses the utensils of the Mishkan and the Mishkan itself. Before the Torah discusses the actual construction, the Torah first discusses the donations of the Jews that were necessary for the construction. This Sicha will expose the deeper, spiritual dimension of these donations.Note: This is one of the rare Sichas of the Rebbe that were actually said as a Maamer, a chasidic discourse, that was then redrafted in the form of a Sicha.
The quality of Connection to a Tzadik after He Passes away
The quality of Connection to a Tzadik after He Passes awayParshas Tetzaveh is connected to the 7th of Adar, the day Moshe Rabeinu passed away, which is why this parsha always falls around the time of the 7th of Adar.This Sicha will deal extensively with what takes place after a Tzadik passes away.The Rebbe will also have a significant discussion about the numerology of the Hebrew Alphabet, Gematria.Another concept dealt with extensively in this Sicha is the principle of Etzem and Giluy - Essence and Revelation. These are fundamental concepts in Chassidus. We will also see examples of Midrashim that are at first glance difficult to understand but through the Rebbe's explanation we will gain an appreciation an appreciation of the depth and richness of Midrash.
How Prayer and Remembering Merge
This is a Rashi Sicha. The Rebbe analyzes a Rashi comment on the Chumash. The Rebbe's novel approach to Rashi is based on Rashi's own explanation of the significance of his commentary. Rashi writes that his explanations are meant to clarify the "Pshuto Shel Mikra", the simple understanding of scripture. Very often Rashi's words seem to be bringing out more than just the simple meaning of the text. By understanding Rashi's words in light of the Rebbe's focus on this "Pshuto Shel Mikra" understanding, we find the Rebbe explaining the most fundamental concepts of Judaism through the correct understanding of the simple text of the Torah. In the words of the Tanya, in Rashi we find "the Wine of Torah", i.e. the secrets of Torah.In this Sicha the Rebbe will cover Major topics in Judaism. As discussed in previous shiurim, the Rebbe often brings out how the most superficial things in one area of Torah are actually of global importance to Jew. In this Sicha we will see another powerful example of this.
Keep the Fire Burning, But Don't Forget the Ashes
This Sicha is very special to Chasidim because it is the last edited Sicha from the Rebbe in 1992. Right after this Sicha was edited for printing the Rebbe suffered his stroke. This Sicha was said in 1988 in connection with the passing away of the Rebbetzin, Chaya Mushka, wife of the Rebbe. In this Sicha the Rebbe will tackle a particular Halachic ruling of the Rambam - Maimonides, and explain its spiritual root and source. The Rebbe will show us how the halachic work of the Rambam is a manifestation of a spiritual level. This Sicha begins with a discussion in Nigleh - the revealed/legal aspect - of Torah. The discussion is concerning a Chakira - a hair splitting analysis of Jewish Law. From there the Rebbe will continue into a deeper analysis on the level of Pnimiyus - the inner dimension of Torah, and the lessons to be learned from this.
The Essence of G-d's Dwelling Place Below - The Soul of a Jew
This Sicha is fundamental in understanding G-d's plan in creation. It is well known that G-d created the world for the purpose of having a dwelling place in this world below, as explained in Tanya. However, in this Sicha the Rebbe will explore the inner dimension of having a dwelling place below. This is not commonly discussed in Chassidus. Here the Rebbe will show how the inner dimension of this concept is also compatible with the simple understanding.An explanation of the Kabbalistic concept of The beginning is wedged in the end, and the end is wedged in the beginning, as pertaining to the simple understanding of Torah, as well.
Why Sacrifices?!?
This is an intriguing Sicha in which the Rebbe tackles a comment of Rashi, explaining it extensively according to the rules of Pshat - the literal meaning of the text. What will be unique about this Sicha is that together with understanding the Pshat, the Rebbe will explain - based on Pshat - the depth of the intent of Mitzvos in general, especially Chukim, especially sacrifices. A known concept in Torah is that there are different types of Mitzvos. One of them is Chukim. Chukim are Mitzvos for which we do not see the logical reason - Mitzvos that we do solely as a decree of G -d without any rational explanation. These include such Mitzvos as Kashrut, and Purity. What is the intent of Chukim, and are sacrifices really Chukim?The Rebbe will take us on a fascinating journey into the depths of Chukim, something which commentators have been dealing with hundreds of years.
Haman's Decree - Punishment or Consequence
Connecting to the Root of the Soul
How to Rebuke and Succeed
Teshuva From Above - Teshuva From Below
Day of the Week VS. Day of the Month. The spiritual significance of time.
The Uniqueness of the Last Days of Pesach
Spontaneous Praise of Hashem
Appreciating the Virtue of the Ordinary Jew
To Count is to Expose
This sicha will discuss the counting of the Jewish people mentioned in this Parsha. The Rebbe will elaborate on its inner dimension. Counting is usually done only when one does not know the number of a thing. And yet in this Parsha we see that there is significance to counting even when the amount is known. What is that significance?
The Uniqueness of the Priestly (Kohanim's) Blessings
What is so special about the Birkas Kohanim, the Priestly blessings? These blessings are recited every single day, whether by the Kohanim themselves or by the Shliach Tzibur leading the prayers. We also recite them individually during the morning blessings, as well as before retiring for the night.
How to Achieve Perfection Beyond Perfection
There is a dispute whether Pesach Sheini is a separate independent holiday or a makeup for the first Pesach, merely an extension of the holiday. In the Sicha the Rebbe will analyze the various legal implications of this dispute. However, an important concept which is apparent throughout the Sichas is that the inner dimension of Torah and the external/legal dimension are two inseparable aspects of one Torah. And in this analysis the Rebbe will remarkably show how the legal implications of this dispute in the Talmud, and Halachah are fully compatible with the mystical dimension.
How to be a Successful Shliach
This Sicha will analyze the mistake of the Meraglim, the spies sent by Moshe to scout the Land before the conquest. The Torah relates how the spies erred. In this Sicha we will learn the spiritual root of their error and how each one of us can come to the same type of mistake. The Rebbe will also show us how to guard ourselves from this mistake.
Is Collective Punishment Legitimate
Attaining Eternal Life
How to Bring Moshiach
Bypassing Nature and Surpassing Miracles
To Abstain from Physical Pleasures or Not to
The Departure Counts Not the Arrival
Infinite Blessings and Finite Blessings
Your Torah Teacher is your Life
Does G-d Show Favoritism
Severance Pay: Physically and Spiritually
Religion and State: Separation or Integration?
Ready for Marriage: Physically and Spiritually
What is Chassidus?
A True Preparation for Mitzvas Shofar
The Hidden Connection
The Depth of Sukkos and the Water Drawing
Teshuvah: For Mitzvos as Well as Sins
Mitzvah; Action or Effect?
Righteousness, Evil, Reward and Punishment
The Uniqueness and Essence of Bris Milah
Putting Vitality into Life
The Blessing of Long Life
The Essence and the Paradox of Prayer
The Inner Dimension of Bar Mitzvah
True Meaning of Exile - Golus
The Depth of: Salvations, Miracles and Wonders
Healing the Exile
The Virtue of Women Over Men
Moshe Rabbeinu - Nurturimg Emunah
Everything Happens for the Jewish People
Why Decapitate the Donkey
The Jewish Profession
How Moshe Rabbeinu Taught Torah
The Inner Dimension of the Half Shekel
Deeper Significance of the Cups of the Menorah
Serving G-d with Noise
How to Deal With Crisis
The Inner Dimension of a Jew and of Golus
Jewish Children and Sacrifices: An In-Depth Analysis
What is So "Gadol" About Shabbos Hsgadol?
If Three Matzos, Then Why Four Cups of Wine?
Self Generated Divine Service
What is the Name of Moshiach
