Rebbe Responsa

By the Grace of G-d22 Cheshvan, 5711November 2, 1950

Mr. . .

My opinions correspond with those of with my father-in-law; spiritual growth cannot be sacrificed for material gain; central leadership of local schools; those that work in the institutions of my father-in-law will see extra success

ב"ה24 Teveth 5711January 2, 1951Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

All faiths agree that it is essential to preserve one's health; the specialist in preserving Jewish male life prescribes donning Tefillin daily

Self-Care Tefillin and Health Day 10 (21 Teves 5785)

By the Grace of G-d 24th of Teveth 5712 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Marriage is the foundation couple’s life and future generations; Foundations must be built from durable tested material; Torah which has helped Jews survive for millennia is that material

Eternity of the Torah Day 30 – Monday (12 Shevat)Foundation of Marriage

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By the Grace of G-d14th of Tammuz, 5712Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Lesson from oil wells: After removing the outer layers one's inner well gushes forth

Soul Day 46 – Wednesday (28 Shevat)

By the Grace of G-d 29th of Menachem Av, 5712 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Shechita raises the animal kingdom to a human standerd; slaughtering in Divine service

Day 48 – Friday (30 Shevat)Shechita

By the Grace of G-d17 Shevat, 5713Brooklyn 13, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Difficulties and failures of a Yeshivah student; the purpose of the Yetzer Hora and the counteractive soul; slow yet assured success; be wary of the trap of despondency

Day 64 - Sunday (16 Adar)Reciting Tehillim Despair

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By the Grace of G-d 17th of Tammuz, 5713 Brooklyn 13, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Open this letter to read the full text.

Day 72 - Monday (24 Adar)Compromised Judaism Wearing A Beard

By the Grace of G-d 29th of Tammuz, 5713 Brooklyn 13, N.Y

Mr. . . .

Five Faculties of the Soul; Tzimtzum; The Four Worlds; Hierarchy of the Four Worlds

Chassidic Concepts Day 72 - Monday (24 Adar)Communion With G-d

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By the grace of G-d 24th of Marcheshvan, 5714. Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . .

Blessings come through personal work

Day 74 - Wednesday (26 Adar)Commandments Bring Blessings

By the Grace of G-d6th of Nissan, 5715Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . . c/o Rabbi Greenglass

Days between Purim and Pesach are especially mazaldik; G-d asks us to test His promise that giving Tzedakah brings wealth

Adar - An Auspicious Month Nissan Day 103 - Thursday (26 Nissan)

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By the Grace of G-d 3rd of Sivan, 5715 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Following medical advice regarding pills while informing doctors of concerns

Day 104 - Friday (27 Nissan)Medical Advice Medicine

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By the Grace of G-d 17th of Cheshvan, 5716 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .c/o Rabbi ...

A yeshivah student experiencing spiritual decline; avoid falling into sadness; Tanya prescription

Day 130 - Wednesday (23 Iyar)Learning Tanya Tikkunim

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By the Grace of G-d 26th of Tishrei, 5718 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Part-time job; finishing high school; on becoming a mortician

Day 160 - Friday (24 Sivan)Grave

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By the Grace of G-d 14th of Teveth, 5718 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Inspiration from a farbrengen which should be shared with others; The lasting effect of Chanukah on our lives.

Day 171 - Tuesday (5 Tammuz)Chassidic Gathering

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By the Grace of G-d 25th of Nissan, 5718 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Donation to "Special Discretionary Fund"; Blessing for long life and Nachas

Day 183 - Sunday (17 Tammuz)Discretionary Tzedakah

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By the Grace of G-d25th of Menachem Av, 5718Brooklyn, NY

Mr. . . .

A Yeshiva student's depression due to dissatisfactory spiritual growth; depressing thoughts as a weapon of the Yetzer Hora; dealing with reactions to growing a beard; eyesight issue; advise another in study only when solicited; influencing a sister; rectifying a transgression

Day 197 - Sunday (2 Menachem Av)Bad Habits Tikkunim

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By the Grace of G-d 21st of Teveth, 5719 Brooklyn, N. Y.

Mr. . . .

Sister's health; New branch of Mesibos Shabbos; Lasting impact throughout the week

Day 217 - Sunday (23 Menachem Av)Mesibos Shabbos

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By the Grace of G-d 5th of Nissan, 5719 Brooklyn, New York

Mr. . . .

Compliments on son and his progress; Guiding our children cheerfully through life; The path of the Torah will ensure happiness

Day 233 - Tuesday (9 Elul)

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By the Grace of G-d 27th of Sivan, 5719 Brooklyn, N. Y.

Mr. . . .

Father-in-law's surgery; Do not give up the business - it is the channel G-d has chosen for your Parnassah; Give charity a stake in your business

Business Advice Day 245 - Sunday (21 Elul)

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By the Grace of G-d11th of Shevat, 5720Brooklyn, N. Y.

Mr. . . .

Study would be most successful in a Yeshiva setting; Dilemma regarding trimming a newly grown beard; Is the earth flat according to the Torah

Day 273 - Sunday (27 Tishrei)Peyos Wearing A Beard

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By the Grace of G‑d4th of Adar, 5720Brooklyn, N. Y.

Mr. . . .

The observant Jews' inferiority complex; the role of the Association of Orthodox Jewish Scientists

Jewish Inferiority Complex Day 275 - Tuesday (29 Tishrei)

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By the Grace of G-d14th of Elul, 5720Brooklyn, N. Y.

Mr. . . .

Recommendation to contact eye specialists in Switzerland; Medical and spiritual intervention; The auspicious time of Elul

Day 313 - Friday (15 Kislev)Switzerland The Month of Elul

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By the Grace of G‑dIn the Days of Selichoth, 5720200th Anniversary of theHistalkus of the Baal Shem Tovof blessed memoryBrooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

New Year wishes; Regarding worries about the future, we must have complete and sincere faith in G-d’s benevolent Providence; Unlikeliness of a "Hot War" breaking out in considering the state of the "Cold War"

Day 316 - Monday (18 Kislev)Predictions

By the Grace of G-d5th of Tammuz, 5721Brooklyn, N. Y.

Mr. . . .

News of marriage and beginning of observant home; the gains of a secondary job; set times for study and involvement in local Chabad work

Day 371 - Sunday (14 Shevat)Side Job Newlywed

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By the Grace of G-d14th of Menachem Av, 5721Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Choosing a hospital for birth; not publicizing pregnancy until later stage

Day 375 - Thursday (18 Shevat)Hospital Pregnancy

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By the Grace of G-d 24th of Nissan, 5723 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Torah and Mitzvos should be observed for their own sake but are also sure channels of Divine blessing

Day 489 - Thursday (19 Sivan)Torah Improves Health

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By the Grace of G-d 18th of Sivan, 5723 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

The unequivocal prohibition in Jewish Law against cremation; one's body is the property of G-d

Day 495 - Wednesday (25 Sivan)Holocaust Cremation

By the Grace of G-d 10th of Tammuz, 5723Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Refutation of suggested alternative method to Pi; Kabblah's stress of irrational fulfillment of Mitzvos similar to mathematical doctrine; imperative to practically fulfill daily Torah precepts

Day 500 - Monday (30 Sivan)Action Na'aseh Venishma

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By the Grace of G-d 2nd of Kislev, 5724 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Will remember in prayer; Regarding corrective spine surgery, consult doctor who does not favor surgery

Surgery Scoliosis

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By the Grace of G-dChanukah, 5724Brooklyn, N. Y.

Mr. . . .

Selling a newly purchased home

Selling a House Kislev - an Auspicious Month Real Estate

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By the Grace of G-d 20 of Teves, 5724 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

The founders of Biblical criticism had the wrong intentions

The Rebbe's Early Years Germans Studying Philosophy

By the Grace of G-d Erev Purim, 5724 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

In a desperate situation, there is no time for contemplation; when one is involved in Jewish education they can see tangible results

Purim: Prioritizing Education Working in Education Importance of Jewish Education

By the Grace of G-d 21st of Adar, 5724 Brooklyn, N. Y.

Mr. . .

I haven't heard from you since your wedding

Newlywed Writing to the Rebbe

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By the Grace of G-d 10th of Nissan, 5724 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

One cannot know the reason for which people suffer; one cannot understand the ways of G-d

Suffering Questions on G-d

By the Grace of G-d9th of Iyar, 5724 [Brooklyn, N. Y.]

Mr. . . .

Science never disproved the possibility of spontaneous generation; Torah states truths while science suggests theories

Torah Interpretation The Rebbe's Early Years Insect

By the Grace of G-d4th of Sivan, 5724Brooklyn, N. Y.

Mr. . . .

Inclusion of others with the bereaved expresses that it is not only the loss of the bereaved rather a loss for all Jews; a blessing for the orphaned daughter

Orphan Condolences

By the Grace of G-d 28th of Sivan, 5724 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Chassidism views everything as an extension of G-dliness, therefore, Chassidism is interested in the outside world

Divine Providence Chassidism Monotheism

By the Grace of G-d 25th of Elul, 5724 Brooklyn, N.Y

Mr. . . .

When visiting a holier place (the Holy Land) one must act accordingly; one is influenced and can influence their environment

Utilize Opportunities Visiting Eretz Yisrael

5724

Mr. . . .

Using Esrogim not from Eretz Yisrael

Eretz Yisrael Lulav and Esrog

5724

Mr. . . .

The important thing to do at this time, a time of emergency, is to involve oneself in Jewish education; the waves of assimilation destroying the Jews; Utopian ideas are a distraction from the evil inclination

Communion With G-d Fire Ahavas Yisrael

By the Grace of G-d 29th of Tishrei, 5725 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

How to understand the tragedy of the Holocaust and other tragedies that struck the Jewish people

Heredity Reincarnation Crusades

By the Grace of G‑d, 20th of Marcheshvan, 5725 Brooklyn, N. Y.

Mr. . . .

Taking an external substance for spiritual growth

Biology Extrinsic Motivation Drugs

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By the Grace of G-d 5th of Teves, 5725 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

There is no hypocrisy in being externally motivated to do Mitzvos; the meaning of Mitzvos

Rambam Authenticity Nature of a Jew

B"HRosh Chodesh Iyar, 5725Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Explaining various aspects of Chassidism; the importance of learning Pnimius HaTorah; can there be someone like Moshe in our generation; why there was an opposition to Chassidism in previous generations

The Rebbe's Early Years A Rebbe Lashon Hara

By the Grace of G-d3rd of Iyar, 5725 Brooklyn, N.Y

Mr. . . .

Miscarriage

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By the Grace of G-d 10th of Iyar, 5725 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

A Jew always wants to conduct himself in the ways of Torah and Mitzvos; what is true Judaism; proper Jewish conduct is nourishment for the soul

Torah Interpretation Rambam Soul

By the Grace of G-dLag B’Omer, 5725Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Help eliminate the Bill which would affect the preparation of Shechita

Shechita Church and State

By the Grace of G-d 21st of Sivan, 5725 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Make sure that there are no legislations that conflict with Jewish law

Church and State Shechita

By the Grace of G-d 21st of Sivan, 5725Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

A Jew is innately religious; when a Jew doesn't act according to his true self it creates an inner struggle; the difficulty of changing routine

Putting Tefillin on Daily Tefillin and Health Tefillin (Cowen, MLC 1944)

By the Grace of G-d22nd of Sivan, 5725Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Funding new Mikvas in Eretz Yisrael; a more liberal approach regarding constructing new Mikvas (working on a deficit)

The Taharas HaMishpacha Campaign Building a Mikvah

By the Grace of G-d 20th of Tammuz, 5725 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

In order to question Talmudic sayings, one has to have studied them thoroughly; the ant doesn't have a compelling ruler; a Talmudic sage not revealing his prophetic dream

Dream Insect Divine Names

By the Grace of G-d 20th of Tammuz, 5725 Brooklyn, N. Y.

Mr. . . .

Follow-up to a young man battling depression: Dismissing thoughts for a period of time helps one to be more objective; dealing with past sins; introspection can lead to despondency; Yud Beis Tammuz lesson

Guilt 12 Tammuz Lesson When to Repent

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By the Grace of G-d18th of Menachem Av, 5725Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

It is necessary to perform Mitzvos here in America to help Soviet Jewry attain religious freedom

Adolescence Jewish Pride America

By the Grace of G-d 20th of Menachem Av, 5725Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . .

Follow the doctors order to receive G-d’s blessings; choosing a name for your daughter

Doctor's Orders Hebrew Name Childbirth

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By the Grace of G-d27th of Adar I, 5725Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Making additional investments after one is financially stable; can one believe in G-d's providence and denounce religion?

Investment Trust in G-d Real Estate

5725

Mr. . . .

A response to a teenager who was doubting G-d's existence; most of the world's population believes in G-d

Adolescence Existence of G-d Atheism

5725

Mr. . . .

Feeling life as a burden; recognizing Divine Providence; everything in life is for the best of the human

Checking Tefillin Tzedaka Before Tefillin Divine Providence

By the Grace of G-d 29th of Tishrei, 5726 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

The vital necessity of a technical unified religious bloc

Religious Bloc Agudas Yisrael Israeli Politics

2nd of Cheshvan, 5726Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

The Aguda should publicly clarify their opinion regarding a technical religious bloc for the elections

Religious Bloc Agudas Yisrael Israeli Politics

By the Grace of G-d 8th Day of Chanukah, 5726 Brooklyn, N.Y

Mr. . . .

Science's deduction of the age of the universe; why does Torah punish with torturous deaths; slaughtering must be done in the most humanitarian way

Astronomy The Rebbe's Early Years Shechita

By the Grace of G-d8th Day of Chanukah, 5726Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Answering questions on the previous Michtav Klali: Questioning the order in Torah, the term G-d of Israel; Torah is infinite

Time Management Approach to Torah Study Divine Names

By the Grace of G-d8th Day of Chanukah, 5726Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Descendant from Lubavitcher stock; the Jews were determined not to be influenced by the Greeks

Compromised Judaism Chanukah Lesson Hellenism

By the Grace of G-d 3rd of Shevat, 5726 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Military service for a religious Jew; the Chassidic way of life

Chassidism Military

By the Grace of G-d 3rd of Shevat, 5726 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

The teenage years are very delicate, therefore parents should not mix into religious matters of teenagers

Wearing A Beard Adolescence

By the Grace of G-d 6th of Shevat, 5726 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Dealing with those who ridicule meticulous observance; growing a beard; Jewish laws have slowly evolved

Changing Nusach Hatefilah Jewish Customs Wearing A Beard

By the Grace of G-d 11th of Adar, 5726 Brooklyn, N. Y.

Mr. . . .

The prohibition of studying other theologies; Jewish history demonstrated that deviating from the path of Torah and Mitzvos has no lasting effect

Purim: Jewish Advocacy Suicide Scholarly Research

Original

By the Grace of G-d11th of Adar, 5726Brooklyn, N. Y.

Mr. . . .

If G-d commands a Jew to be happy he gives him the ability to do so; reflecting on personal blessings; responsibility of a former Yeshiva student to be a joyous example

Adar - Increase In Joy Semicha Anxiety

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B.H.8th of Nissan, 5726 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Regarding the elections in Eretz Yisrael

Religious Bloc Agudas Yisrael Israeli Politics

By the Grace of G-d24th of Tammuz, 5726Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . .

Seeking a psychiatrist free of prejudice; Judaism’s stance on seclusion; exploring other belief systems; the key to your happiness is self-discipline and daily routine

Therapist Psychotherapy Honoring Parents

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5726

Mr. . . .

If non-Jews have souls; the chosenness of the Jewish people

Nature of a Jew Soul Gentile

By the Grace of G-d 5726

Mr. . . .

Traveling to Eretz Yisrael via El Al and Jewish owned ships

Fire Visiting Eretz Yisrael Jewish Owned Ships

5726

Mr. . . .

Your mission is to support Lubavitch of London; when one values his mission it is not a burden

Purpose Supporting Shluchim

57260

Mr. . . .

Every Jew will ultimately return to Judaism; the proper way of bringing someone closer to Judaism

Compromised Judaism Nature of a Jew Methods of Influence

By the Grace of G-d 5726 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

One must do everything necessary in the natural order to improve one's health; in recent generations, one should not fast or self-afflict; instead one should increase in holiness

Checking Tefillin Tzedaka Before Tefillin Health

By the Grace of G-d 5726 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

The surgery is not vital; try to make sure that there is no sterilization done or, at least, it is performed after the prostate surgery

Sterility Surgery

5728

Mr. . . .

Hashgacha Pratis or fate?

Paradox of Free Will Divine Providence

By the Grace of G-d20th of Iyar, 5729 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Is it possible to communicate with a dead person? Absolutely nothing is in vain, including the personal opportunities and capacities

Utilize Abilities Obligation to Spread Judaism Mediumship

By the Grace of G-d24th of Iyar, 5729Brooklyn, N.Y

Mr. . . .

Independence or submission to Divine authority

Parshas Bechukosai Independence Set Times for Torah Study

By the Grace of G‑d5729Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Practicing Judaism is the answer to feelings of despair

Despair Distress Na'aseh Venishma

By the Grace of G-d25th of Teves, 5730Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Chanukah lesson: When spreading light, the source of light must also be pure

Compromised Judaism Chanukah Gelt Chanukah Lesson

By the Grace of G-d 22nd of Adar Sheni, 5730 Brooklyn, N. Y.

Mr. . .

Surprised by the insistence that a rabbinic candidate must be a university graduate despite the moral decline of universities; visit Kfar Chabad on Holy Land trip

Electing a Rabbi Role of a Rabbi College Atmosphere

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By the Grace of G-dRosh Chodesh Shevat, 5731Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

The significance of Mitzvos in general and Tefillin in particular

Parshas Bo Spreading Tefillin Observance Importance of Tefillin

By the Grace of G-d 15th of Tammuz, 5731Brooklyn, N. Y.

Mr. . . .

12th of Tammuz lesson for education today

Importance of Jewish Education Soviet Union 12 Tammuz Lesson

By the Grace of G-d 7th of Cheshvan, 5732 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Investigating the Jewish way of life is wasteful; reflecting on Jewish history should suffice; the end does not justify the means; Lech Lecha - leaving one's environment and culture

The End Justify the Means Jewish History Parshas Lech Lecha

By the Grace of G-d 8th of Teves, 5732 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Open this letter to read the full text.

Building a Mikvah

By the Grace of G-d 24th of Cheshvan, 5732 (Nov. 11th, 1971) Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Open this letter to read the full text.

Seven Noahide Laws

By the Grace of G-d 26th of Nissan, 5732 Brooklyn, N. Y.

Mr. . . .Jewish Youth Study Groups House

Open this letter to read the full text.

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By the Grace of G-d 18th of Sivan, 5732 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Wanting to become a pilot

Choosing a Career Efforts to find a Shidduch

5732

Mr. . . .

Open this letter to read the full text.

Ahavas Yisrael

By the grace of G-d 11th of Cheshvan, 5733Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

Backing down for the sake of peace isn't always effective

Murder Israeli–Arab conflict Land for Peace

By the Grace of G-d19th of Shevat, 5733Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. . . .

More important than a sculpture memorial for the KSU shooting is to solve the root of the issue: Why are students busy protesting against matters that are not of their primary concern

Vietnam War Demonstration Memorial

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By the Grace of G-dRosh Chodesh Sivan, 5733Brooklyn, N.Y.