“What is the difference between a ‘Rebbe’ and a ‘Tzadik’?” the guest asked those assembled at the Farbrengen in the Lubavitcher Shtibel in Samerkand. Well, to be honest it didn’t look like much of a Shtibel… it was more of a makeshift room under the removable floor boards… but when the Oilom would gather each Shabbos to Daven and Farbreng…

My grandmother, Rebbitzen Rivka Zajac (affectionately known by her students as “Morah Rivka”), was ten years old, when she and her family escaped communist Russia, on one of the famous “Polish trains”, emigrating to the United States of America. As a young girl growing up in 770, (young enough be on her father’s side of the Mechitza), she merited to…

The fundamental practical component, separating the Shita of the Alter Rebbe from all other Talmidei Hamagid, is Hisbonenus. In fact in the early days, our holy Derech was called ‘Shitas Hahisbonenus’. Hisbonenus is an art that everyone can learn. And though as in all matters for some it is easier than others, nevertheless everyone is capable of it. I would…