Chai Elul marked the 278th birthday of the Alter Rebbe. As Chabad Chassidim, we learn his teachings and uphold his directives. What was important to the Alter Rebbe, is important to us, his Chassidim.
In Chitas, we just learned Perek 14 of Igeres Hakodesh. In it the Alter Rebbe explains a lesson from Rosh Hashana, how the end of each year is also the start of a new one. How we must increase year after year, rising and excelling in comparison to the previous year.
The Alter Rebbe wrote this to reinspire the Chassidim to continue supporting his fund, Colel Chabad, helping the poor in Eretz Yisroel. He is encouraging them to not only match what they had been doing until then but to give with more Chayus and in greater number.
Colel Chabad, the Alter Rebbe’s Moised, has been running without interruption since 1788. This cause was near and dear to the Rebbe, and it was known that the Colel Chabad Pushka was the only one on the Rebbe’s desk.
As we are in the final days of the year, we reflect on the past year and prepare for Rosh Hashana and the new year. The Alter Rebbe encourages us to add in Tzedakah, especially to Eretz Yisroel, as a way to bring down a renewed Koach for the coming year.
May we indeed be inspired before Rosh Hashana, and be Zoiche to a Shana Tova Umesuka!
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To coincide with when we learn in Chitas the letters about Colel Chabad, Colel Chabad gathered the most sought-after Tanya teachers, to provide concise classes on these important chapters, in video as well as podcast format.
Rabbi Manis Friedman explains Perek 5 why giving Tzedakah to Israel is special.
Rabbi Shais Taub explains Perek 9 how earning a living is one of the highest forms of Tzedakah.
Rabbi Sholom Lipskar explains Perek 12 why Tzedakah in especially important in Elul
Rabbi Ben-Tzion Krasnianski explains Perek 14 how every day is a new beginning like Rosh Hashana.
With more classes to come.
Visit https://colelchabad.org/our-philosophy/ to learn these fascinating classes.
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