שבת שלום

Praying the Amidah (Shemonah Esre) prayer in an audible voice A Shaliach has a synagogue on only 10 elderly men who don’t know how to

Praying the evening prayer (Maariv, or Arvit) before the obligatory time: lf a Shaliach lives in a place where the minyan (prayer quorum of at

4. A knot that didn’t touch the Tefillin: When someone puts on Tefillin of the arm and the yud isn’t touching the bayit , does

Writing on the Tefillin straps: Is it permitted to write the name of the Tefillin’s owner on the inner side of the straps? Is there

Putting Tefillin on a drunk: If someone is involved in encouraging other Jews to put on Tefillin and meets a Jew who is drunk or

Putting on Tefillin after sunset: If a person is doing Mivtzoim, (reaching out to others to encourage them to perform Mitzvot) and after sunset meets

What is the difference between ‘The Husks of Nogah’ and the other impure ‘Husks’ (shells, or external layers)? The Alter Rebbe in his book of

What is the meaning of ‘Bittul’ (self nullification)? One of the principles of faith is that the Creator exists everywhere, and ‘He fills the earth

How do differences between souls come about? When souls come down to this world to do the will of the Creator, they descend in gradual

What is a brief explanation of the basic foundations of the ‘Animal Soul’? The Rambam (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon) writes, as well as other commentaries,

. Why does Judaism emphasize the practical Mitzvot (commandments)? A central question in Jewish thought, and in general philosophy, is ‘Why did the Creator create

What is the meaning of the concept ‘The Breaking of the Vessels’? It states in the Midrash that before the world was created the Creator

What are the five parts that make up the soul and which Divine Energies/Lights are they parallel to? There are five parts to the soul:

What is the meaning of ‘The Soul of a Person is a Candle for G-d’? This sentence ‘The soul of a person is a candle

What is the difference between ‘Transcendental Light’ and ‘Immanent Light’? Chassidut and Kabala describe two kinds of light that illuminate the worlds: ‘Transcendental Light’ and

25. What are the ‘Garments of the Soul’? In the book of Tanya, the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman, writes that just as there are

24. Why should one distance oneself from spiritual approaches like becoming a Nazir and separating oneself from worldly/mundane matters? Until the Torah was given, it

23. What distinguishes Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai from the other sages of the Talmud? The Zohar tells us that the sages of the Talmud related

22. Is ‘Love of G d’ a hereditary attribute among Jews? The book of Tanya (Ch. 18) explains that every Jew has a hidden love

What is the meaning of the concepts ‘Arousal from Above’ and ‘Arousal from Below’? When a person lacks enthusiasm and motivation in the spiritual realm,

Why is it important that everybody take upon themselves an additional ‘beautification of a Mitzvah’ towards Rosh HaShana, the Jewish New Year? Every Jewish festival

19. How can we explain the difference between “supernal repentance/return to G d”, and “lower repentance/return to G d”? It is written in the Zohar

18. What is the meaning of the statement of the Sages “There is no ‘chance’ (happenstance) for Israel”? It is said about the (Hebrew) month

17. What is the meaning of the name ‘Av’ of the Hebrew month? The name of the month of Av symbolizes the attribute of mercy,

16. Is there a connection between Chanukah candles and the lights of the Temple? The Chanukah candles were instituted by the Sages in memory of

Can you define the three souls in a person?

14. How is it best to behave towards people in the community, using the attribute of “Justice” or “Severity” when necessary without causing distance? Three

13. It is accepted today to relate to every surprising event in life as a revelation of Divine Providence. How do we know which unexpected

12. If G d is supervising everything, what difference does it make In any case to G d what I choose? In any case G

11. Is it not trivial for G d to be involved with minor aspects of the creation? There is a well-known Chassidic commentary on the

10. What is the emphasis on (Specific) Divine Providence? How is it different from ‘General Providence’? When we say that providence is ‘General’, it means

Divine Providence – Questions and answers Chassidic thought focuses very much on events which happen by Divine Providence, what does this constitute in simple terms?

4. How can one rectify negative impressions that remain from the past? Answer: Firstly we must remember what is written in Tanya, that a person

2. How is the concept “If you become impure I am not your G d” applicable since it is also written “a Jew, even if

2. How is the concept “If you become impure I am not your G d” applicable since it is also written “a Jew, even if

1. “Voice from Heaven”, versus “Lest another should pre-empt him.” Hello! What is the meaning of “lest he be pre-empted by another” in matches if

The path to the revelation of the Self moves from the external, chaotic dimension of the psyche to an expression of the rectified inner self.

The ultimate goal in the work of uncovering the Self is to engender harmony and confluence between an individual’s inner and outer nature, so that

Characteristics of Tohu Consciousness: These express the animal soul, as reflected in a consciousness of yeshut. Included in this are mental attributes and processes that

Characteristics of Tikun Consciousness: These express the divine soul in a state of egolessness and hitkalelut (integration), and include the following mental attributes and processes

Tohu and Tikun (Chaos and Rectification): The state of consciousness that expresses a person’s inner essence (the Self) is known in Chasidism as Olam Ha-Tikun

What are the developmental challenges of every stage? and what is the proper approach needed by parents to foster further, correct development? The stages of

The main positive psychological benefits of egolessness, include an unconditional sense of self-worth, security with respect to oneself or one’s position, equanimity in the face

Academic research in the field of Chasidism and chasidic psychology have devoted extensive discussion to the problematic nature of yeshut – autonomous self-consciousness or egocentrism

When creating a new series of shiurs for a new audience, people often struggle with the question of which subjects should be discussed and taught,

The rule of thumb is to adapt the shiur material to the target audience we intend to teach. The lecturer should identify the type of

When you are about to deliver a shiur, you must, first of all, take note of the audience you are facing – the audience you’ll