(Please learn these Ma'amarim for the refuah sh'leimah (complete and immediate recovery) of:
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This week's featured Ma'amarim (scroll down for many more ma'amarim):
| About Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi ob"m | About Torah Ohr and Likutei Torah | About these adaptations |
The Ma'amarim are arranged by weekly Torah portion. You can read full texts or download Ma'amarim by clicking on the links below. (To download a free Adobe Acrobat reader, go to www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html)
| Torah Ohr | Likutei Torah | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bereishis (Genesis) | Sh'mos (Exodus) | Vayikra (Leviticus) | Bamidbar (Numbers) | D'varim (Deuteronomy) |
| Bereishis: Lo Tov Heyos HaAdam Levado -- Creation of the universe through the Divine Names "Havaye" and "Elokim" | Sh'mos: Zeh Sh'mi L'Olam -- Why negative mitzvos (and the Oral Torah) stem from a loftier spiritual source than positive mitzvos (and the Written Torah) (PDF version) | Vayikra: Adam Ki Yakriv Mikem -- Good advice for how we can make our occasional and fleeting feelings of religious inspiration last (PDF version) | Bamidbar-Shavuos: Vay’daber Hashem El Moshe B’Midbar Sinai -- "Lower-level" vs. "higher-level" yearning for G-d; The capacity for "higher-level" yearning for G-d is transmitted to us through the Ten Commandments on Shavuos (PDF version) | D'varim: Tzion B’mishpat Tipadeh V’shaveha Bi’tz’dakah -- Progression from acceptance of G-d on faith (hoda'ah) to knowing Him with certainty (b'racha); mitzvah observance facilitates this (PDF version) |
| Noach: Mayim Rabim Lo Yuchlu L'Chabos -- Inspiration for those whose struggle to earn a livelihood threatens to interfere with their spiritual pursuits | Vaeira: Vay'daber Elokim El Moshe -- Relevance of G-d's answer, involving the Divine names "Kel Shakai" and "Havaye," to Moshe's question, "why did G-d make the Jews suffer in Egypt?" (PDF version) | Tzav: Va'achaltem Achol -- Mystical significance of sacrifices; special role of Aaron and his descendants; a fundamental truth about the nature of souls and their refinement in the Messianic era. Tzav-Pesach: L’havin Ma Shekasuv B’hagadah, “Matzah Zu She’anu Ochlim…” -- The spiritual function of eating matza on Passover; differences between the first Passover and Passover as observed today (PDF version) | Shavuos: VaEh’yeh Etzlo Amon -- A profound and fundamental ma'amar for Shavuos, in which the innermost, essential nature of Torah is explained (PDF version) | VaEschanan: V’Ahavta Eis Havaye Elokecha, etc. -- [To be completed.] The unity of G-d as expressed in the Shema prayer; the intention behind each paragraph (PDF version) |
| Lech-Lecha: B'Etzem HaYom Hazeh Nimol Avrohom -- Traditionally recited by the father at a circumcision | Bo: B’etzem Hayom Hazeh Yatz'u Kol Tzivos Hashem Me’eretz Mitzrayim -- Significance of the various names of G-d; progression of G-dly revelation over time; difference between the Pentateuch and the books of the Prophets (PDF version) | Naso: Naso Es Rosh B’nei Gershon -- Structure of our daily prayer service and the emotions each section is designed to elicit; correspondence to the Levite families of Gershon, Kehos and Merari, who carried the Tabernacle in the desert (PDF version) | Eikev: Eretz Harim U’vkaos -- G-d's heavenly "attributes" are mirrored in ours and vice-versa; this is symbolized by the mountains and valleys of Israel (PDF version) | |
| Vayeira: Erda Na -- G-d's knowledge of the world; the "mechanics" of reward and punishment | B'shalach: L'havin Inyan Lechem Mishne -- Spiritual purpose of eating; how to hold the challah on Shabbos | Tazria: Sos Tasis V’Sagel Ha’akara -- Why it is preferable for us not to wait for inspiration from above, but to approach G-d on our own first; how one who has not done this may still make things right (PDF version) | B'ha'alos'cha: B’ha’alos’cha Es Haneiros (#2) -- symbolism of the Jews' request for meat in the wilderness; why Aaron's role in lighting the Menorah was superior to that of the tribal heads in offering sacrifices (PDF version) | R'ei (and Elul) #1: Ani L'Dodi V'Dodi Li: Roshei Teivos Elul -- An inspiring Ma'amar about the Jews' relationship with G-d and how the month of Elul, leading into the High Holidays, is the time to work on it (PDF version) |
| Chayei Sara: V'Avraham Zakein Ba Bayamim -- A paradox: Which is superior, this life or the next? | Yisro: Vechol Ha’am Ro’im Es Hakolos -- Symbolism of the Shofar blasts and other awesome phenomena at the Decalogue; why we needed the Torah to be given (PDF version) | Sh'lach: Vayom'ru … Tova Ha’aretz M’od M’od -- Spiritual significance of the Land of Israel; how Torah and mitzvos elevate and refine the world (PDF version) | R'ei (and Elul) #2: Ani L'Dodi V'Dodi Li: Haro'eh Bashoshanim -- The Thirteen Attributes of Divine Mercy are revealed in the Hebrew month of Elul; how they assist us in acheiving true repentance (PDF version) | |
| Toldos: Vayachp'ru Avdei Yitzchok -- Mitzvos throughout the day access the spirituality developed at morning prayer | Mishpatim: Lo Sih’ye M’shakeila Va’akara -- Need for toil and utter humility in the effort to cultivate authentic love and fear of G-d (PDF version) | Korach: V’Hinei Parach Matei Aharon -- Why we need to pray daily even though our needs were allocated on Rosh Hashana; how almonds symbolize the function of the kohanim (PDF version) | Ki Seitzei: Ki Sih'yena L'Ish Sh'tei Nashim -- The "G-dly soul" and the "animal soul"; why it was necessary that the soul descend from Heaven to Earth (PDF version) | |
| Vayeitzei: Vayashkeim Lavan Baboker -- Morning prayers elicit G-d's willingness to allow mortals to relate to Him; only then is any worship possible | T'ruma: Mi Yitencha K'ach Li -- Symbolism of the Cherubs atop the Holy Ark; sublime spiritual heights attainable through Torah study, especially that of those who work for a living (PDF version) | Acharei Mos:Ki Bayom Hazeh Y'chaper -- A maamar for Yom Kippur, containing profound and fundamental truths for all year (PDF version) | Ki Savo: Tachas Asher Lo Avad'ta: Every Jew can achieve true "Simcha Shel Mitzvah" (joy in performance of mitzvos) (PDF version) | |
| Vayishlach: Vayeavek Ish Imo -- If everything comes from G-d, how can "evil" exist? (PDF version) | T'tzaveh: V'Asisah Tzitz Zahav -- Symbolism of the "tzitz," the forehead-plate worn by Aaron the High Priest (PDF version) | K'doshim: V'hadarta P'nei Zakein -- (a translation.) Knowing (at least some) Torah by heart binds our soul to G-d at all times (PDF version) | Nitzavim: Atem Nitzavim: The miraculous "pact" between G-d and the Jews, by which he renews His sovereignty over the universe in response to repentance on Rosh Hashanah (PDF version) | |
| Vayeishev: VeHinei Anachnu M'Almim Alumim -- Purpose of creation: the mystical concepts of "sh'viras hakeilim" and "extraction of the sparks" of holiness (PDF version) | Ki Sisa: Zeh Yit’nu: Kol HaOver Al HaP’kudim -- Two levels of love for G-d; we cannot all achieve the second, but the first is the uniform, minimum requirement of every Jew. (PDF version) | Emor: U'Sefartem Lachem MiMacharas HaShabbos -- A beautifully clear explanation of the meaning of the mitzvah to count the Omer (PDF version) | Pinchas: Tzav Es B’Nei Yisrael (#1) -- Spiritual significance of the sacrifices (PDF version) | Rosh Hashanah: Yom Tov Shel Rosh Hashanah Shechal Lih'yos BaShabbos -- The spiritual benefits of Shofar and Shabbos, and why we do not sound the Shofar on Shabbos (PDF version) |
| Miketz: Ner Chanukah Mitzvah L'Hanicha: -- Chanukah (PDF version) | Vayakhel: Vayakhel Moshe -- Significance of Shabbos, and the order of its mention, in relation to the coverings and vessels of the Tabernacle; spiritual effects of Torah study and mitzvah performance and how these are symbolized by the Tabernacle (PDF version) | Matos-Masei: L’va’er Inyan HaMasa’os Bamidbar -- How the 42 encampments of the Jews in the wilderness laid the groundwork for spiritual elevation in the Messianic era (PDF version) | Vayeilech: Shuva Yisroel -- Shabbos Shuva (PDF version) | |
| Vayigash: Vayigash Eilav Yehudah: The Tabernacle and the Temple parallel the present and Messianic "architecture" of the universe (PDF version) | P'kudei: Eileh P'kudei Hamishkan: Superiority of negative mitzvos over positive mitzvos; "mishkan" corresponds to positive mitzvos, "mishkan ha'eidus" to negative mitzvos; insights into Passover matzah, daily prayer and their relation to the above (PDF version) | Ha'azinu: Ha'azinu -- "T'shuva" as "return" or elevation of the soul to its spiritual source: daily; even more so on Shabbos; and ultimately on Yom Kippur, the "Shabbos of Shabboses" (PDF version) | ||
| Vayechi: Chachlili Einayim Miyayin: Types of love for G-d and how to arouse them: "Eternal Love," "Great Love" and "Delightful Love" (PDF version) | T'tzaveh-Purim: Chayav Inash Livsumei (#2): A profound and far-reaching discourse which the Tzemach Tzedek called simply "the Purim discourse" because its subject expresses the central theme of Purim (PDF version) | B'chukosai: Im B’chukosai Seileichu--Engraved vs. written letters; souls are superior even to angels, for souls can develop and progress spiritually, while angels are static (PDF version) | Succos: Ush'avtem Mayim B'sason -- The "season of our rejoicing" and the reason for the boundless joy of Succos' water-pouring ceremony (PDF version) | |