A free weekly video podcast featuring excerpts from Living Torah and other films by Jewish Educational Media.
From Living Torah (Volume 68, Episode 269)A visit by the president and board members of the UJA-Federation.Also in this Episode:* Live in the Moment* The Rebbe’s House* Spare the Rod
From Living Torah (Volume 66, Episode 262)Rabbis Yosef Goldstein and Mendel Baumgarten recall a memorable Tashlich on Rosh Hashanah, 1956.Also in this Episode:* Challenge Seeker* Panim* Standing Before G-d and Man
From Living Torah (Volume 66, Episode 261)During Tishrei, Jews wish each other “a sweet year” — but this means healthy sweetness.May the problems with your blood-sugar levels be switched to healthy sweetness.Also in this Episode:* Turn Up the Light* Selichos* Hakhel: Top of Mind
From Living Torah (Volume 65, Episode 260)Mr. Ron Nachman, Mayor of Ariel, Israel, visits the Rebbe:You can double the population of Ariel by launching a publicity campaign. Promote the physical amenities that the residents will enjoy, in addition to all the spiritual amenities, which are especially necessary in the Holy Land. Also in this Episode:* Guardian at the Gates* Niggun Utzu Eitza-Ach Tzaddikim* “Check Your Mezuzahs”
From Living Torah (Volume 65, Episode 258)Dr. Velvl Greene is Professor Emeritus of Epidemiology and Public Health at Ben Gurion University. An original participant in NASA’s Exobiology program, he served as Professor of Public Health and Microbiology at the University of Minnesota for 27 years.Also in this Episode:* The King Awaits* President Zalman Shazar* New Start
From Living Torah (Volume 65, Episode 257)The Rebbe leads Evening Prayers on the Yahrzeit of his mother, Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson.Also in this Episode:* A Journey Ends; Another Begins* Fill the Void* The Schneerson Resolve
From Living Torah (Volume 64, Episode 256)The Lubavitcher Rebbes were emphatic that children be taught the Hebrew letters and vowels separately, and only afterwards how to pronounce them together — for example, to recite: "Kumatz-Alef — Uh". Each individual letter, vowel and sound was given at Sinai, and therefore, each must be articulated in its own right.My father-in-law explained the meaning of Kumatz-Alef — Uh: It instills within the child the first letter of the Ten Commandments, the Alef of “Anochi — I am the Lord your G-d.” “Anochi” encapsulates the whole first Commandment, which encapsulates all Ten Commandments, which encapsulate the entire Written Torah, which includes the entire Oral Torah… This is all included in the Alef of "Anochi."The letters of "Anochi" themselves form initials: "Ana Nafshi Ksovis Yehovis – I have inscribed and given My Soul in Torah.” The Alef of "Ana — I” refers to G-d A-lmighty’s very Essence. At that level vowels are entirely immaterial, for a vowel is already commentary on the letter. Children, therefore, must first be given the chance to absorb the Alef on its own — representing G-d’s absolute oneness, and this forms the very foundation of their Judaism. Also in this Episode:* Reb Levik’s Niggun* Angioplasty* Kumatz-Alef — Uh
From Living Torah (Volume 64, Episode 255)After graduating High School, Mrs. Bassie Garelik planned to attend college. The Rebbe, however, offered her a whole new perspective on planning for the future...Also in this Episode:* “Wolf, Wolf”* Niggun “Sheyiboneh”* Simple Prayer
From Living Torah (Volume 64, Episode 254)As he leaves 770 to prepare to visit the Ohel, the Rebbe distributes coins to children to give to charity.Also in this Episode:* One* Responsibility of the Journalist* The ABCs of Love
From Living Torah (Volume 64, Episode 253)Israel’s welfare is in the best interest of the United States, because Israel is the front line against the Arabs. The Arabs are against the United States no less than they are against Israel — and perhaps even more so! And it is imperative that there be a strong Israel in order to inhibit the influence of Syria, Iran, and the other hostile countries in the Middle East.Also in this Episode:* Applied Kabbalah* Shacharis* Sent Packing
From Living Torah (Volume 63, Episode 252)Bar Mitzvah boys and Bat Mitzvah girls receive the Rebbe’s blessings.Also in this Episode: * Royal Humility* Aliyah* Knowing Chicago's Ropes
From Living Torah (Volume 63, Episode 251)My father-in-law, the Rebbe, published a letter stating a clear directive how to utilize the events of the 12th and 13th of Tammuz: To unify all Jews — “those who hold Torah dear, those who safeguard the commandments, even those who consider themselves ‘Jewish’ in name only.”The Rebbe’s letter was addressed to every Jew, and to man and woman alike. But in general, the older a person is, the more set he is in his ways. The younger one is, however, the easier it is to break free of self-limitations. Therefore, adolescents have a special mission to go out with greater strength and to achieve much more.Through their energetic work, the “youth will put the elders to shame” — they will outshine the efforts of their elders in this regard. And the elders will certainly not be jealous, but rather “envy of scholars increases wisdom” – the youth will draw the elders along with them, and together they will awaken every Jew to recognize their own duty “to perfect the world under the sovereignty of G-d.”Also in this Episode:* Nigun Simcha* Your Own Voice in the Senate* Private Conversation
From Living Torah (Volume 63, Episode 249)Chassidim sing a joyous Nigun.Also in this Episode:* My Servants* Eitan the Levite* “I’ll Give You Half”
From Living Torah (Volume 62, Episode 248)In Jewish law, when someone converts to Judaism, they are referred to as: “a convert who converts.” The obvious question: Before he converted, he was not yet a “convert,” he was a gentile? The commentaries explain that when a person converts it proves that he had a Jewish spark inside him all along, but he needed the conversion process in order to reveal it.This principle applies similarly to all Jews, in all areas of Torah and Mitzvos. When one seeks to motivate a fellow Jew in a positive direction — for example, to genuinely be concerned and yearn: “Ad Mosai — When will Moshiach finally come?” — then even if at first the person resists the idea, this belief and yearning is not foreign to him; it is already ingrained deeply in his soul. You merely need to make him aware of it and help bring it to the fore. Also in this Episode:* Nigun Simcha* Necessary Care* Worthy of Respect
From Living Torah (Volume 62, Episode 247)The Rebbe is called to the Torah in the upstairs synagogue at 770.Also in this Episode:* Little Things Count Big* Pass It On* To Lift Up
From Living Torah (Volume 62, Episode 246)The Code of Jewish Law rules that it is forbidden to endanger the Jewish nation by giving away Jewish land. When I urge people in Israel to support a certain political party, it is only because that party has currently decided to proceed in line with this ruling.Also in this Episode:* …Nothing But the Truth, So Help You G-d* Kos Shel Brocha* “Don’t Tell”
From Living Torah (Volume 62, Episode 245)In 1973, Rabbi Shmuel Kaplan was called upon by the Rebbe to help a teenager at risk. He shares a touching letter that the youth received from the Rebbe.Also in this Episode:* Heartbeat of the Family* Maamar* Hand in Hand
From Living Torah (Volume 61, Episode 244)Mr. Aaron Noach Blasbalg was a member of the board of Poalei Agudat Israel for 25 years. He recalls a fascinating private audience he and his colleagues had with the Rebbe.Also in this Episode:* Summer Job* Lag B’omer Parade* Education Path
Living Torah continues to surprise!In what may be Living Torah’s most captivating Sicha yet, the Rebbe speaks in 1961 about JFK’s launch of the United States Peace Corps to do humanitarian aid around the world. The Rebbe uses Kennedy’s talk to explain his plan of dispatching Shluchim to the far corners of the world.As mentioned earlier, JEM has embarked on a worldwide “Living Torah-thon” to elicit the support of its many thousands of viewers around the world.Take part at LivingTorah.org
From Living Torah (Volume 61, Episode 241)Mr. David Chase, Chairman of the Machne Israel Development Fund, visits the Rebbe.Spread good news to both Jews and non-Jews, for a Jew is obliged to benefit all people. Don't underestimate your appointment — I appointed you long ago as my Four Star General.Also in this Episode:* Fun and Kosher* Kos Shel Brocha, Hakhel* Faith is Contagious
From Living Torah (Volume 60, Episode 238)A collage of well-wishers greeting the Rebbe upon his birthday.Also in this Episode:* Today’s Front: Outreach* Nigun “Zol Shoin Zein Di Geulah”* See No Evil
From Living Torah (Volume 60, Episode 237)The Sages of the Talmud ask: “Why does G-d allow the sun and moon to exist, if they have become objects of idolatry?” They answer: The forces of nature are positive and beneficial; should God destroy His creations only because of the fools who worship them?This same principle applies to a new trend of the Twentieth Century. Many troubled youth — and adults – have joined religious cults that practice forms of meditation involving idolatrous rituals. Meditation itself can indeed have the positive effect of calming the nerves and the psyche, but it must divested of anything idolatrous.Doctors who treat psychological or emotional disorders have a sacred obligation to find a way to utilize the therapeutic benefits of meditation in a Kosher way. When the success of a Kosher meditation method becomes publicized, people attracted by idolatrous methods will be saved.Also in this Episode:* Mayim Shelanu* Maimonides: Father Figure* “Quiet, Please!”
From Living Torah (Volume 59, Episode 235)Mordechai gathered thousands of Jewish children to study Torah and pray to G-d to save the Jews from annihilation. Only when the innocent voices of the children ascended On High, did the Almighty annul the decree and replace it with the opposite — boundless joy.It is imperative to intensify all efforts for the Education Campaign, and to reach every single Jewish boy and girl. It is our responsibility to alert every Jewish mother and father — who themselves are the innocent victims of lack of Jewish education — that it is essential for a Jewish child to grow up with his Jewish heritage.This does not require a total shift of the parents’ thinking. In recent years, most people have realized that money does not give life meaning. They need to simply be educated about things they never heard from their own parents: That a Jew has, and needs, his own heritage. We are assued that “Words that come from the heart, will enter the heart” and have the proper impact.Also in this Episode:* Purim Nigun* Visit Israel!* Tax Advice
From Living Torah (Volume 59, Episode 234)A member of the Israeli Navy visits the Rebbe:The tribe of Zebulun were sailors, while Issachar’s occupation was Torah. But they looked after each other’s welfare. Since I’m also occupied with Torah, I’m interested in what occurs with “Zebulun.” Every naval vessel should have a charity box for protection.Also in this Episode:* From Riches to Rags* Dollars to Children* Directions
From Living Torah (Volume 59, Episode 233)Dr. Yaakov Hanoka is a renowned scientist. In 1970, the Rebbe’s advice helped him get “top dollar” when he had to sell his house.Also in this Episode:* Free Will* Nigun* Presidential Move