Mitzvah Day

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Dec 2, 2024, 10:45 AM

A Message to Jewish Leadership

Rabbi Motti Wilhelm addresses Chabad's conference of Shluchim (photo credits of Kinus Hashluchim)

I was honored to chair the opening session of this year’s International Conference of Chabad Shluchim. Addressing a conference of 6,500 rabbis & lay leaders is both a challenge and an honor. What follows are my closing remarks (only slightly...

Oct 9, 2024, 11:20 PM

Tefillin for Those Who Stand with Our Enemies?

Recently, a post by Leibel Wiener caught my attention. He reacted to a video of Chabad students helping a pro-Palestinian Jew put on Tefillin on the streets of Manhattan, even as the individual wore a keffiyeh. Leibel described the...

Jul 9, 2023, 2:51 PM

Tikkun Olam is good but not enough

Why is tikkun olam a very necessary part of Judaism, but not enough? One potential answer - which does not stem from within our tradition - is, because "the road to hell is paved with good intentions". A more powerful Jewish...

Sharona Margolin Halickman

Jun 5, 2023, 11:35 PM

The Multifaceted Mitzvah of Challah

Near the end of Parshat Shlach (Bamidbar 15:17-21) we read: God said to Moshe, saying, “Speak to B’nai Yisrael and say to them: When you come to the Land to which I bring you it shall be that when you...

May 30, 2023, 6:55 PM

Choreography of Life’s Dance

In the intricate ballet of life, three sacred steps – Mitzvah, Teshuvah, and Tikkun Olam – form the heartbeat of our spiritual journey. These aren't mere principles; they are the rhythms we follow in the soulful dance of existence. First,...

David-Seth Kirshner

Mar 18, 2022, 5:33 PM

A letter to my children: Mission to Ukraine

When we hand out baby formula, diapers, hygiene products, socks, and chocolates to refugees, I hope the Ukrainian people know that they are not alone

Sharona Margolin Halickman

Jan 3, 2022, 2:46 PM

Why we should bake matzah

Even before B’nai Yisrael left Egypt they were already commanded to eat matzah. In Parshat Bo (Shmot 12:8), they received the mitzvah to eat matzah with the Korban Pesach (Pascal Lamb): They shall eat the meat that same night; they shall...

Oct 29, 2021, 10:46 AM

Go get yourself a Super Senior BFF!

It’s a well-established fact that having healthy friendships is closely linked to better mental health. While there’s loads of published research on the benefits of valuable bonds in old age, I think more attention needs to be paid to...

Aug 20, 2021, 6:37 AM

Parshat Ki Teitzei: Mitzvot for the Sake of Mitzvot

There are some things in life we see as means to and an end: We travel in cars to arrive at destinations; we exercise to stay in shape; we go to work to earn money; and the list goes...

Jun 17, 2021, 7:46 AM

Do it for the love

As soon as I entered the building, I knew something was wrong. It was the end of the year celebration at my daughter's preschool. Everyone around her sang and moved as she stood there, tears running down her cheeks. I felt...

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