The figure of our matriarch Rachel is the one most associated in Kabbalah with the building of Jewish nature, the inbred character of an individual who walks willingly and naturally in the path of G-d. Just as our matriarch Eve, “the mother of all life,” is the mother of human nature, so our matriarch Rachel is the mother of our unique Jewish nature.

The Month of MarCheshvan: Back to Normal: The Month of MarCheshvan Why This Is Not Going to Break You, but Make You! Why Jewish Women Will Bring Moshiach and more...

Now is the time to reflect and integrate the spiritual insights gleaned from the holiday season.

In explaining the unique properties of the month of Elul, the Alter Rebbe, the first Lubavitcher Rebbe, invokes a parable of a loving king who comes to visit his subjects in their world, the ‘field’. An examination of the details of this parable reveals a template for successful parenting, education and marriage. (Based on Ani L’dodi 5726)

Rabbi Yisrael Ba’al Shem Tov was born on the 18th of Elul 5458 (1698). When he was a small child, his parents passed away and he joined a group of hidden tzaddikim, wandering with them throughout Ukraine. In his youth, the Ba’al Shem Tov worked as an assistant melamed (teacher of small children), concealing his righteousness and greatness in Torah behind the persona of an uneducated orphan.

Preparing for Rosh HaShanah; Revelations of Divine Mercy - a collection of teachings from the Zohar, the Holy Ari, Mystical Classics, Chassidic Masters and more

The same covenant that promises suffering, promises redemption.

An overview of the joyous day of the fifteenth of Av, its inner meaning and significance.

The Shabbat before the Ninth of Av is called Shabbat Chazon

On this Shabbat, say the Chassidic masters, we are granted a vision of the Third Temple; we may not see it with our physical eyes, but our souls see it, and are empowered to break free of our present state of galut (exile and spiritual displacement) and bring about the Redemption and the rebuilding of the Temple

Tammuz is the fourth month, it always has 29 days, its zodiac is cancer