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The Rebbe on the Holocaust Original price was: $75.00.$39.00Current price is: $39.00.
One of the most painful events to strike the Jewish people in recent memory is the tragedy of the Holocaust, which decimated European Jewry in a show of appalling cruelty. Having narrowly escaped its horrors himself, the Rebbe was uniquely placed to offer comfort and guidance to those who survived with both faith and sensitivity.
Part I – Making Sense of the Senseless: The horrific suffering of the Holocaust, having seared into our collective conscience, has confronted many Jews with a crisis of faith. The Rebbe offers a unique approach, allowing us to affirm our faith in a kind and just G-d, while maintaining our empathy for the plight of the Holocaust victims.
This paper addresses a range of issues. How does one maintain faith in G-d’s justice in light of such unfathomable horrors? Is this paradox surmountable for all, including those who do not fully subscribe to all dimensions of Torah scholarship? Is it appropriate to rationalize the plight of the Holocaust victims? Does our moral outrage preclude us from taking to heart the lessons these events offer?
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Kosher ‘Frankenfoods’? GMOs in Halacha (Sources) Original price was: $75.00.$39.00Current price is: $39.00.
Scientific advances have unlocked some of the ‘source code’ of living organisms, where by splicing genes from, say, arctic salmon into strawberries, or mice into chickens, we can produce strains of plants and animals which grow better, are more resilient, and are more beneficial economically or otherwise.
While discussion abounds regarding the long-term health effects of these developments, what is the Torah’s view on such manipulation? Do the ethos of kilayim preclude meddling in G-d’s domain? Or does the command to “fill the earth and subdue it” (Bereshis 1:28) provide the ethical mandate to do just that?
What are the Halachic ramifications? Is the act of implanting the gene –in flora or fauna- a violation of kilayim? What is the kosher status of the resulting hybrids? Does the status of the donor carryover to the recipient? What if the transferred genes affect the presence of the traditional kosher signs? (a tuna with no scales, a shark with scales)? Is an Esrog which has been thus modified considered a Murkav, disqualifying it from use for the Mitzvah?
Is there a spiritual effect? Do the characteristics of those animals which the Torah deems negative carry over into the new creature? Would consuming this (otherwise Kosher) creature bring spiritual coarseness (timtum halev)?
A collection of Tshuvos and articles in Hebrew and English.
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The Rainbow Effect (Sources) Original price was: $39.00.$25.00Current price is: $25.00.
We recite a special blessing upon seeing a rainbow, thanking G-d for upholding His covenant with Noach. But isn't a rainbow just a natural phenomenon, a function of light refracting off of moisture?
Is there significance to the colors of the rainbow?
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Spontaneous Generation Original price was: $75.00.$25.00Current price is: $25.00.
The Talmud refers to various creatures that grow spontaneously (asexually) – a phenomena roundly rejected by modern biology. What are some of the approaches that have been put forward to reconcile between the two and what bearing do they have the practical Halachah? Did the Rebbe espouse a unique approach to this?
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תפלה על קברי צדיקים. א Original price was: $75.00.$25.00Current price is: $25.00.
מאז ומעולם, היוו קברי אבותינו וצדיקי עליון ע״ה מקום לעתירה, תפלה ובקשה. אלא שמנהג קדוש זה היווה בד בבד גם מקור לתמיהה – מנא לן הא מילתא? האומנם אין היהודי אמור להתפלל אל הקדוש ברוך הוא, ולו יתברך בלבד? האם אין בזה משום איסור ׳דורש אל המתים׳? זאת ועוד: בקשותיו של אדם על קברו של צדיק – האם מהוות הן הפרעה למנוחתם או נחת רוח לנשמתם הטהורה? סקירה מקיפה ממשנתם של גדולי ישראל בנידון תפלה על קברי צדיקים.
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Making the Right Turn Original price was: $75.00.$25.00Current price is: $25.00.
Are you headed in the right direction? Depends who you ask. And when.
Many Jewish practices, such as circling the Bima on various occasions, shaking the Lulav, lighting the Chanukah candles, and others, are associated with particular physical movements in both the right and left directions.
However, the definition of right and left is apparently subject to interpretation. Is “derech yemin” clockwise or counterclockwise?
Read the history of this controversy and its intriguing halachic applications.
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Breaking a Fast Original price was: $75.00.$25.00Current price is: $25.00.
“You shall observe My statutes . . and live by them” (Vayikra 18:5).
What halachic guidelines are invoked to protect the well-being of the ill and infirm on fast days? What medical advice should be sought out in advance, and what questions need to be asked? When ought one resort to ‘shiurim’? How are they calculated?
Reviewed by a Moreh Hora’ah B’Poel
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Immersive Torah Education Original price was: $75.00.$25.00Current price is: $25.00.
Providing the highest level of quality Torah education for Jewish children has always been of paramount importance to the Jewish community.
Even amongst Chassidim, the Chabad educational model aspires for unique goals and engages a most rigorous regimen of Torah subjects for the entire duration of the school day.
What lies at the heart of the Gold Standard of Chabad education?
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The Scribe’s Code Original price was: $39.00.$25.00Current price is: $25.00.
Judaism is a multi-faceted religion with vastly different cultures, but one thing that stays the same throughout all of Judaism is Ksav Ashuri – the script the Torah is written in. This script binds all Jews throughout space and history, dating back, unchanging, for thousands of years – or does it? How far back does it really go? Has it not evolved over time? Study the origins of the Torah’s script.
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The Great Religious Cover-up: Tznius – Origins and Applications Original price was: $75.00.$25.00Current price is: $25.00.
How did we get from belief in monotheism to rules about skirt lengths, necklines and singing? This paper cuts to the very heart of tznius and why it is one of Judaism’s unshakable foundations. An analysis of the Torah and halachic source for tznius, and how its ancient laws find modern life.
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The Mysticism of Twins Original price was: $39.00.$25.00Current price is: $25.00.
A fascinating exploration of Kabbalistic, Midrashic, and Chassidic teachings about
the significance and spiritual meaning of twins.In stock
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Great Shakes: Understanding the Mitzvah of Shaking the Lulav and Esrog Original price was: $75.00.$39.00Current price is: $39.00.
Up, down, left, right, the lulav nanuim are a bewildering sight. This paper delves into the mysticism behind the historically venerated mitzvah of shaking lulav and esrog. What are its origins? What does it represent? How is it relevant today?
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Unraveling the Tefillin Original price was: $39.00.$25.00Current price is: $25.00.
This paper is a sequel to Tefillin 101 and provides an expanded view of the halachic and esoteric dimensions of the mitzvah of Tefillin.
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Why We Care About Hair: Background of the Hair-Covering Requirement Original price was: $75.00.$25.00Current price is: $25.00.
Married women cover their hair because ‘seiar b’ishah ervah’. Where in the Torah do we find such an idea? Explore the history and practice of this intriguing halachah.
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הפרדה בין אנשים ונשים Original price was: $75.00.$25.00Current price is: $25.00.
בירור מקיף על יסוד דין המחיצה, טעמיה והגדרתה. איזו מחיצה כשרה ומהם כללי היסוד המחייבים הפרדה בין גברים לנשים? סקירה הלכתית המסתעפת להשלכות רלוונטיות במיוחד בימינו אנו.
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In G-d we Trust Original price was: $75.00.$36.00Current price is: $36.00.
Bitachon. It’s a powerful word; the absolute faith that G-d will always provide. From financial deals to health concerns, travel arrangements to hopes for the future – we trust that G-d only acts for the best. But how can we have Bitachon when we’re faced with a violent and dangerous world? When personal tragedy strikes, how can we continue to have faith? Where is the line drawn between Bitachon and folly? When one laughs in the face of nature, is he trusting in G-d or scorning G-d’s providence?
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