"Rabbi Schneerson's educational contribution has been largely unexamined and remains undisclosed to both the Jewish world beyond Habad and to contemporary students of religious and moral education. Through the analysis in this book, it will be argued that Rabbi Schneerson's teachings hold import not only for the Habad fraternity but for communities and individuals in the wider world."--BOOK JACKET.
“One of the greatest religious biographies ever written.” – Dennis Prager In this enlightening biography, Joseph Telushkin offers a captivating portrait of the late Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, a towering figure who saw beyond conventional boundaries to turn his movement, Chabad-Lubavitch, into one of the most dynamic and widespread organizations ever seen in the Jewish world. At once an incisive work of history and a compendium of Rabbi Schneerson's teachings, Rebbe is the definitive guide to understanding one of the most vital, intriguing figures of the last centuries. From his modest headquarters in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, the Rebbe advised some of the world's greatest leaders and shaped matters of state and society. Statesmen and artists as diverse as Ronald Reagan, Robert F. Kennedy, Yitzchak Rabin, Menachem Begin, Elie Wiesel, and Bob Dylan span the spectrum of those who sought his counsel. Rebbe explores Schneerson's overarching philosophies against the backdrop of treacherous history, revealing his clandestine operations to rescue and sustain Jews in the Soviet Union, and his critical role in the expansion of the food stamp program throughout the United States. More broadly, it examines how he became in effect an ambassador for Jews globally, and how he came to be viewed by many as not only a spiritual archetype but a savior. Telushkin also delves deep into the more controversial aspects of the Rebbe's leadership, analyzing his views on modern science and territorial compromise in Israel, and how in the last years of his life, many of his followers believed that he would soon be revealed as the Messiah, a source of contention until this day.
In his discourses, translated here as, "The Teachings of the Rebbe," the Rebbe sheds light on the task and duty of our generation, the final generation of exile and the first generation of redemption, and the approach that we must adopt to attain and draw forth the revelation of HaShem, the Singular Intrinsic Unlimited Being Himself, blessed is He, in the here and now, culminating with the true and complete redemption for all mankind, literally.
Culled From JEM's acclaimed My Encounter with the Rebbe interviews, Seeds of Wisdom is a heartwarming collection of short stories and encounters between the Lubavitcher Rebbe and people who sought his counsel on a wide array of life's questions and challenges. Contained within these exchanges are profound life-lessons in relationships, parenting, leadership, faith, and personal well-being. This little book of wisdom has the power to enrich your life and help effect personal growth and meaningful living. "In Seeds of Wisdom Rabbi Mendel Kalmenson has assembled a wonderful series of stories about the Lubavitcher Rebbe, one of the great leaders and holy men of our time. Read it and you will be enthralled. This is true food for the soul." -Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks "I can't recall the last time I was as inspired by a 'Jewish' book as I was by Seeds Of Wisdom. The genius of it lies in its reduction, its distillation of complex ideas into immediate and potent language. Several of the vignettes gave me goose bumps, others brought me to tears. As with my own personal encounters with the Rebbe, I take away a greater sense of mission and purpose." -Peter Himmelman - Award winning musician and artist "Seeds of Wisdom is a valuable resource that makes many important points in a brief, memorable way." -Joseph Teluskin - Lecturer and author of Jewish Literacy and the Book of Jewish Values
A concise and illuminating narrative provides glimpses of the true stature of this modest woman. Far more than a passive observer, the Rebbetzin was often an active participant in the events that shook the very foundations of Jewish life. Her biography is an account of the trials and triumphs of the Lubavitcher movement during those tumultuous times. The first of a series, this elegantly presented booklet is enhanced by 18 illustrations, charts and maps including to rare photographs of the Rebbetzin in her youth.
Toward a Meaningful Life is a spiritual road map for living based on the teachings of one of the foremost religious leaders of our time: Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Head of the Lubavitcher movement for forty-four years and recognized throughout the world simply as “the Rebbe,” Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who passed away in June 1994, was a sage and a visionary of the highest order. Toward a Meaningful Life gives people of all backgrounds fresh perspectives on every aspect of their lives—from birth to death, youth to old age; marriage, love, intimacy, and family; the persistent issues of career, health, pain, and suffering; and education, faith, science, and government. We learn to bridge the divisions between accelerated technology and decelerated morality, between unprecedented worldwide unity and unparalleled personal disunity. Although the Rebbe’s teachings are firmly anchored in more than three thousand years of scholarship, the urgent relevance of these old-age truths to contemporary life has never been more manifest. At the threshold of a new world where matter and spirit converge, the Rebbe proposes spiritual principles that unite people as opposed to the materialism that divides them. In doing so, he continues to lead us toward personal and universal redemption, toward a meaningful life, and toward God.
This book is aimed at Improving contemporary educational practice by rooting it in clear analytical thinking. The book utilizes the analytic approach to philosophy of education to elucidate the meaning of the terms: ‘education’; ‘moral education; ‘indoctrination?; ;’‘contemporary American Jewish education’’; ‘informal Jewish education?; ’‘the Israel experience’; and? Israel education?. The final chapter of the book presents an educator’s credo for 21st-century Jewish education and general education. Barry Chazan is Professor Emeritus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Research Professor at the George Washington University Graduate School of Education and Human Development.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe's mystical teachings on the weekly Torah portions are widely studied by students and admirers around the world. The Rebbe saw the weekly Torah portion as an inexhaustible source of new ideas, insight into current issues, and profound relevance for daily life. He urged his followers, as well as everyone who came into contact with him, to seek daily inspiration from studying the Torah.This second volume of DAILY WISDOM, in the tradition of the highly acclaimed first volume of DAILY WISDOM, presents these daily inspirations in a clear, user-friendly format. Like its predecessor, this volume comprises 378 daily lessons, each of which offers a taste of the Rebbe's vast and deep teachings, filled with love for humanity, pragmatic optimism, and the conviction that evil and negativity will disappear when we learn to emphasize goodness and kindness. These ideas are woven together throughout the book, resulting in a precious daily resource that will enrich and elevate the lives of all readers.
This book is a history, an indictment, a lament, and an appeal, focusing on the messianic trend in Lubavitch hasidism. It records the shattering of one of Judaism's core beliefs and the remarkable equanimity with which the standard-bearers of Orthodoxy have allowed it to happen. This is a development of striking importance for the history of religions, and it is an earthquake in the history of Judaism. David Berger describes the unfolding of this historic phenomenon and proposes a strategy to contain it.
