Mendel Adelman

Aug 20, 2024 | chabad.org | Mendel Adelman

The Dnieper River sat frozen and still, flanking a city with a hole in its heart. It was the 1st of January, 1908, and one block from the frozen banks of the Dnieper, the Jewish community of Ekaterinaslav was in mourning. Their leader, Rabbi Dov Ze’ev Kozevnikov, had just passed away. Since its founding in the late 18th century, the Jewish community had chosen followers of the Chabad rebbes to be their leaders, and Rabbi Dov Ze’ev was no exception.

Aug 7, 2024 | chabad.org | Jewish Practice |Mendel Adelman

Pidyon shevuyim is the redeeming of captives. Throughout our history, many Jews have been taken captive and ransomed or sold as slaves. There is an obligation upon Jews and Jewish communities to ensure the release of Jewish captives. Usually, this meant paying their ransom. It also extends to other efforts to free people who have been incarcerated. Who Is a Captive? There are two categories of captives:War captives. This refers to anyone captured by an enemy army, bandits, or slave raiders.

Aug 7, 2024 | chabad.org | Jewish Practice |Mendel Adelman

Chesed (חסד) is the Hebrew word for “kindness.” It can refer either to acts of kindness taken to help another, or a Kabbalistic sefira, the first of the seven emotions or Divine attributes, associated with the right side. As one of “the three pillars upon which the world stands,” chesed stems from the responsibility of each individual to help others in need. Classic acts of chesed (kindness) in Torah literature include visiting the sick, helping to bury the dead, and inviting guests.

Aug 7, 2024 | chabad.org | Mendel Adelman

Hadassim (הדסים) are myrtle branches, one of the four species G‑d commands us to take on the Festival of Sukkot. The Torah describes them as “branches of a rope-like tree.” Rashi explains that this refers to the myrtle, whose leaves intertwine. MeasurementsThe Talmud teaches that a lulav must have at least three myrtle branches, and that they must each be at least three handsbreadths long.

Aug 7, 2024 | chabad.org | Mendel Adelman

Who Was Rabbeinu Bachye Ben Asher? Rabbeinu Bachye ben Asher was a 13th-century Spanish rabbi, author of a famous commentary on the Torah commonly called Rabbeinu Bachye Al HaTorah. BiographyRabbeinu Bachye was born in 1255 in Spain. Nothing is known about his early life, but he was likely born into a scholarly family. Although no teachings are extant from his father, Rabbeinu Bachye cites the teachings of his scholarly grandfather, a sage named Rabbi Natan.