by Elisheva bas Chana Melaveh Malkah Everyone has at least one mitzvah that is special to them. My special mitzvah is Shabbos. There are so many aspects of Shabbos, but there is one that does not receive the attention it deserves. Melaveh Malkah, and the seudah that follows, is such a beautiful and meaningful tradition. We sit down to this special meal at a table set beautifully, with Shabbos candles and our polished silverware. Melaveh Malkah means "Escort the Queen." The Qu

by Elisheva bas Chana Shabbos Sometimes there is not enough time—like today—but there are always a few minutes to spare to write a message, especially for Shabbos. Shabbos is an important mitzvah for all of us, but it is also a mitzvah specifically associated with women: lighting the candles, and experiencing the beauty and peace that come when we enter Shabbos. A sanctuary in time, a vessel we create by keeping Shabbos holy, turning it into a dwelling place for HaShem. With

by Elisheva bas Chana Chabad, And New Beginnings It is not easy to sum up Chabad philosophy in one sentence. The acronym Chabad is "Chochmah, Binah, Daas," which translates into wisdom, understanding, and knowledge of HaShem's presence within a reality that arises from the merger of the two. To observe Torah, we do not really need Chabad. Taking into account that the entire pillar on which Judaism is built is the knowledge of HaShem, having emunah is important, but this does

by Rabbi Yechiel Spero Measure for Measure Tiferet, an Israeli seminary student, was in a quandary. Her family was travelling to America to attend an irreligious cousin's wedding. The entire trip was to be sponsored by her generous uncle. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her to visit the country. However, considering the fact that her cousins were not religious, she knew the atmosphere would not be exactly what she was used to. Yet her parents very much wanted her

by Elisheva bas Chana Shavuos The word Shavuos translates as weeks, and follows the counting of the Omer. Seven weeks of preparation for Matan Torah. Vayikra Perek 23: "You shall proclaim on this very day, a holy calling it shall be for you." Shavuos, the time of the giving of the Torah. What could be more important to the Jews and Judaism than the giving and the receiving of the Torah? Without Shavuos there would be no Torah, we would not be Jewish. There would simply be not

by Elisheva bas Chana The Shabbos of Parsha Bamidbar We were a unity at Har Sinai to receive the Torah. Achdus Yisroel is a term we use to describe why we should have Ahavas Yisroel. In essence, we are one, as a people with one neshama. The two important principles of Achdus Yisroel and Ahavas Yisroel should be common practice on Shabbos before Shavuos, to prepare for the giving of the Torah as one people. During the Sefiras HaOmer we count 49 days - 7 weeks. The Jewish peopl

by Elisheva bas Chana Something remarkable is happening. President Trump called on all Jewish Americans to observe Shabbos as part of the National 250th Anniversary of the Independence of America. The Shabbos that President Trump chose is the same Shabbos the Rebbe designated to observe in unity. President Trump issued a formal official announcement in honour of Jewish American Heritage Month. “If the Jewish people will keep at least one Shabbos properly, Moshiach will come i

by Elisheva bas Chana A Chosen People A journey which began with Avraham, when he broke his father’s idols, seeing other people worshipping the sun, moon, and the stars, and asked: “But who created them?” Avraham was alone in believing HaShem was One — Ein Od Milvado. Avraham and Sarah walked into the unknown when HaShem made the “Covenant of Bris Bein HaBitarim” with Avraham, and he became our first Patriarch. From Mitzrayim via Yam Suf, arriving at Har Sinai. The Jewish peo

by Elisheva bas Chana Lag B'Omer 5786 Lag B’Omer is a very special Jewish holiday on the 33rd day of Sefiras HaOmer — the counting of the Omer. For 49 days from Pesach till Shavuos, from the Exodus out of Mitzrayim till the day of Matan Torah at Har Sinai. Sefiras HaOmer is rooted in Kabbalah, the Etz Chaim, and the counting of the Omer is a time of spirituality. But how does the counting of the Omer relate to the anticipation and the preparations for receiving the Torah? Wel