Rabbi M. M. Schneersohn, the Tzemach Tzedek

Introduction A comparison is made between the term or (“light”) used by the kabbalists and the term shefa (“influence”) used by Jewish philosophers. Just as on the physical plane, the emanation of light does not involve any change in the source of light, ...

Introduction According to Rambam’s approach, it is possible to understand why the Torah refers to G‑d as wise and as kind, for He is identified with His attributes. However, according to Maharal, it is difficult to understand the Torah’s use of such descr...

Introduction In sections 1 and 2, the Tzemach Tzedek explained that the mitzvah of faith involved not merely believing and knowing that G‑d exists, but appreciating His transcendence and relating to Him on that level. In this section, the Tzemach Tzedek i...

Introduction The relationship between faith in G‑d and the knowledge of Him is explained. The possibility of a dichotomy existing between one’s faith and one’s ordinary thinking processes is clarified. — II — It is, however, necessary to understand:Seemin...

Introduction In this section, the Tzemach Tzedek elaborates on a point raised above: How can faith in G‑d be considered a mitzvah when it is the basis of all the mitzvos? He cites the words of R. Yitzchak Abarbanel who attempts to resolve the question by ...

Prologue The Tzemach Tzedek raises a question: Is faith in G‑d considered a mitzvah? He cites different Rabbinic views on this matter. (SeferHaChinuch, A text authored by R. Aharon HaLevi, one of the Rishonim, which lists the 613 mitzvos in the order that...

Letting the Heart Speak The Rebbe Rayatz relatedSefer HaSichos Summer 5700, p. 12. that during the Nazi bombardment of Warsaw, he once took refuge in a communal bomb shelter together with hundreds of other Jews. As one particularly powerful and close blas...

Introduction Time is revealed in a sequence in which higher levels of existence include several units of time as one, following a pattern similar to that of particular entities which come into being from a general category. The existence of time is releva...

Sefer HaChinuch, Parshas Emor (mitzvah 296): To sanctify His name, may He be blessed, as it is written (Vayikra 22:32): “And I will be sanctified in the midst of the Children of Israel.” The intent of this mitzvah is that we are commanded to publicize the...

This is the meaning of the expression Gan Eden (“the Garden of Eden”). As our Sages say (Berachos 34b): “Is the garden synonymous with Eden? It is written (Bereishis 2:10): ‘A river flows out of Eden to irrigate the garden,’ ”indicating that Eden is one e...