To Know and To Care - The stories contained in this book reveal a multi-dimensional picture of the Rebbe's leadership, showing many different perspectives of his personality. Our intent, however, is also to communicate something more than what is being said, to intimate to our readers an awareness of the general thrust that runs through all these different narratives.
Giving sole focus to any particular aspect of the Rebbe's personality, for example, the miracles that he works, the advice he gives people, his scholarship, narrows - and in that way, distorts - the picture of the Rebbe we all have.
Every person who has developed a relationship with the Rebbe Shlita has his own way of talking about him. But every person also realizes that his viewpoint is only a limited one and that there is something much greater about the Rebbe that he cannot describe. Nevertheless, by seeing a variety of these personal perspectives, it is possible to develop a heightened sensitivity to what that greater dimension is.
It is our feeling that stories express this best. Stories are alive. In contrast to a biography, which may often represent an academic perspective on a person's life, in stories his responses to the people and the circumstances he encounters breathe with vitality. Besides, biographies come with explicit or implied conclusions; stories quietly allow the reader to draw his own.
Storytelling is an age-old chassidic practice. The Rebbeim of Chabad would refer to chassidic stories as the Torah Shebichsav (the Written Law) of Chassidus. That name is significant, for chassidic stories, like the stories of the Patriarchs, Moshe Rabbeinu, and the other heroes of the Tanach, are "living Torah," expressions of infinite G-dly truth. Moreover, these truths are not expressed as theoretical principles, but as events occurring within the real-life framework of day-to-day experience.
In this vein, the question has frequently been asked: Why doesn't the Talmud include a tractate devoted to the subject of the love and fear of G-d? Chassidim would answer that this is unnecessary. The tzaddikim, the righteous sages of every generation, provide us with firsthand experience of these qualities, and hence there is no need to have recourse to a mere academic treatment of the subject.
Like it? Share with your friends!
Supported operating systems:
Palm OS 3.x, Palm OS 4.x, Palm OS 5.x
Other Software by developer «Dovid Zirkind»:
The Making of Chassidim The Making of Chassidim - Sixty years ago, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, sent a long letter to his daughter, Rebbetzin Chayah Mushka, describing the personal metamorphosis several individuals underwent as they accepted the chassidic way of life
Links in the Chassidic Legacy Links in the Chassidic Legacy - The history of the chassidim goes hand-in-hand with the history of Toras HaChassidus. In every generation, Chassidus gave rise to individuals who were unique among chassidim in devoting their whole being - heart, soul, and material resources - to Toras HaChassidus and the chassidic style of avodah
Listening To Life's Messages Listening To Life's Messages - Many people think of Judaism as a religion, concerned mainly with the divine and the mystical, belonging in the synagogue or place of worship. It may therefore be surprising for some to discover that Jewish teaching addresses the mundane and practical, finding meaning in all areas of everyday life
Highlights of Moshiach Highlights of Moshiach - "I believe in perfect faith in the coming of Moshiach; and although he may tarry, I await his coming every day" (one of Rambam's 13 Principles of faith).
"Moshiach is on the way - he will be here any day." These are more than mere slogans
Passover Guide (5762) Passover Guide (5762) - Everything you've wanted to know about the Holiday of Passover!
Contains:
- Passover Dates / Schedule
- Stories
- Customs
- The History of Passover
- Children's Corner
- Text of the Passover Haggadah (in english)
- And more..
Hayom Yom (Hebrew) The entire text (in Hebrew) of the Hayom Yom, with built-in perpetual calendar for current day's lesson
