Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

Magazine This email dedicated by: Mrs. Cynthia Roth In memory of those who have no one to say kaddish for them To dedicate an email, click here Shevat 8, 5771 · January 13, 2011 Editor's Note: Sixty years ago, on a frigid January night, several hundred people crowded into a small synagogue in Brooklyn to join an event that would change the world forever. Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson accepted leadership of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement with his signature understated style. But the vision he articulated that night was anything but small. The sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitchak Schneersohn, had accomplished what many deemed impossible: defying communist persecution, he survived to establish centers of Torah in what was then a spiritual wasteland. The seventh generation, said the new Rebbe, must complete the task of drawing the Divine Presence back down to this material world. The Rebbe, of righteous memory, made it clear that it is within the reach of every person to achieve this goal. Thus, on 10 Shevat we reflect not only on the Rebbe's extraordinary capability as a leader, but also the enormous capability and responsibility that we each possess. No act of respect is too small, no mitzvah is too simple, no inner struggle is too insignificant to transform the world. We need only make the effort, and we will see miraculous results. This Week's Features Printable Magazine Seasons of the Soul: 10 Shevat Parshah: What Is a Rebbe? A fundamental principle of the Jewish faith is that our relationship with G-d is not facilitated by any third party. So what is the role of a rebbe, indeed a Moses, in Judaism? By Yanki Tauber Video: "I Have Come into My Garden" A textual study of the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe's final discourse. By Nissan Dovid Dubov  Watch (1:01:41) Video: Sensitivity The Rebbe's compassionate attention to "the little things" Throughout history, in times of triumph and adversity, this trait has been shown to be distinctively present in our greatest leaders.  Watch (15:23) The Rebbe: Defeating the Nazis through Jewish Education In November 1964, Sam Kaplan of the Jewish Western Bulletin interviewed the Rebbe about the state of American Jewry. By Sam Kaplan, The Jewish Western Bulletin Story: A Boy and a Calf Before I had a chance to utter a sound, a half-drunk peasant grabbed me with a coarse and powerful hand by my clothing and neck�.�.�. From the diary of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch Story: Monotheism in Rostov The three emissaries from the court of death entered the room, dressed in their uniforms of red and black, rifles in hand, their belts filled with bullets. From the writings of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch Choosing and Being Chosen Video: On Being Chosen Is there a difference between Jews "being" chosen as opposed to "knowing" that they were chosen? By Manis Friedman  Watch (58:53) Video: Playing Games with G-d I know that for my daughter's own benefit I must follow the rules of the game. But with each roll of the dice, I am inwardly holding my breath, secretly longing for her victory�.�.�. By Chana Weisberg  Watch (1:32) Video: Easy or Hard Choosing effort over the quick fix. After the "oy" comes the "ah." By Dov Greenberg  Watch (2:06) Question: Why Do Some of the Best Die Young? I have lost a friend who was the best person I know. And I can think of plenty of not-so-good people who are living it up. Where is the justice? By Aron Moss Living: Jews in the Land of the Waltz Jewish Vienna After being nearly decimated in the Holocaust, Jewish life in Vienna is experiencing a rebirth. By Judie Fein Women: Knowing When to Fight Back Sometimes conventional wisdom doesn't apply. By Sara Tzafona The Power of Song Parshah: Miriam's Song The men sang their joy over their deliverance. But something was lacking, something that only a woman's song could complete. Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Video: Rapping the Sea In honor of the miracles that G-d performed when taking the Jews out of Egypt, Jono and G-Fish sing a song of praise using the timeless Jewish folk tradition of rap music. Dovid Taub & Jonathan Goorvich  Watch (3:00) Women: The Quill of the Soul Even now, years later, the tune of that melody is still in my head. Yet it went beyond what words could express. It was as if the rhythm of my soul could be found in between the notes�.�.�. By Samantha Barnett Breaking Free Parshah: The Exodus, Part II Pharaoh begged Moses and Aaron to take their people out of his land as quickly as possible. Who, then, is this mighty Pharaoh materializing like a mirage in the desert? By Yanki Tauber Parshah: How Do the Forbes 400 Compare to an East African Tribe? It seems that the old adage "money can't buy happiness" has some truth to it. Although wealth has as much as tripled over the past fifty years, mental illness has increased at an equal rate. By Rochel Holzkenner Spirituality: Pure Passion What animates me? What perks me up and gets my blood pumping? What thoughts come to mind when nothing else is taking up my brain space? By Mendy Herson Spirituality: Manna in a Basket In truth, there are two possible channels by which to receive your livelihood, according to the perspective you take in life�.�.�. By Tzvi Freeman Parenting My Son's Short but Very Meaningful Life It may seem odd that I am writing such a detailed letter. But I have noticed that it's been very hard for people to talk about this, so I decided to step forward on my own and tell this story�.�.�. By Schneur and Rachi Garb Shmuli Needs His Privacy If 16-minute-old Shmuli deserves his absolute privacy, how about the other Shmulis of the world-our friends, our children, our neighbors. Are we protecting their privacy at all times? By Yaakov Lieder Judaism Kosher Wizard Kosher from A to Z�.�.�. All the basic information you'll need about the laws of kosher and eating. Meat and dairy�.�.�. Blood removal�.�.�. kosher animals�.�.�. food blessings�.�.�. Shabbat Preparations I Get the Home Ready for the Shabbat Queen Shabbat preparations make Shabbat all the more meaningful and precious. The hard work drives home the understanding that we will soon be visited by a special guest-the Shabbat Queen.