Fish, although surrounded by water, will come to the surface to catch raindrops of fresh water. It is human tendency too, to relish something novel, a Chidush.
As fish are to water, are Jews to Torah – our life-sustaining nutrition and all-encompassing lifeforce.
Each year, Chayenu – which has become a staple nutrition of daily Torah learning for tens of thousands of Jews worldwide – endeavors to provide and produce fresh content, to keep the Torah learning forever fresh and evolving.
5782 brings with it a variety of exciting new content, some featured for the first time, others revised and reimagined.
Exciting New Sections:
R’ Levi Yitzchok’s Classes
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, the Rebbe’s father, we discovered, was a preeminent Kabbalist. When the few Seforim he had with him in exile were salvaged, brought to the USA and his notes penned on the margins ultimately deciphered, the world discovered a Mekubal of the highest, deepest level.
Over the past year, in collaboration with Rabbi Dovid Dubov of Princeton, New Jersey, who has made it his life-calling to decode these highly subtle and cryptic teachings, Chayenu has featured a weekly thought on the parsha from the teachings of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak in English – for the first time. These were originally published in CHAYUS (a weekly PDF one can receive each Wednesday, sprinkled with a variety of Torah insights related to the Parsha). This year, we’re revising them, making them more accessible and adding the original text of R’ Levi Yitzchok alongside, so that once you’ve got the idea, you can see it in his own words.
Delve into his teachings as he uncovers the inner workings of the teachings of the Torah, seamlessly synthesizing the inner and outer dimensions of Torah. Learn about the subconscious of the many biblical personalities and the spiritual undertones of many Torah laws through the lens of Kabbalistic phraseology, in a manner that can be understood to the Kabbalah novice. You will even discover patterns of the Rebbe’s learning style in his father’s works.
This section is sponsored through the generosity of Sholom & Esther Laine.
Likkutei Sichos
Likkutei Sichos is the “Magnum Opus” of the Rebbe’s talks over the decades of his Nesius (leadership), spanning every area of Torah, revealing unprecedented novelty in approach to Torah study and understanding. In the Rebbe’s unique fashion, these talks (Sicha), regardless of topic, often concluded with an inspiring message or practical advice on how a Jew should live his life.
A Sicha can span more than 10 pages and contain many intricacies and back and forth analysis. Chayenu, however, will include a synopsis of a Sicha, which will provide an overview of the essential points of the sicha, and leave you with the “vort”, the essential idea being presented in the Sicha.
We are excited to collaborate with Project Likkutei Sichos in bringing you a weekly sicha synopsis. These synopses are fresh translations by R’ Eli Block (from Sichos.net). For the full Sicha, many video classes and study aides on the Sicha, visit projectlikkuteisichos.org
(The second weekly Sicha synopsis is available in our sister-publication “Chayus,” which is a weekly PDF one can receive each Wednesday – by email or WahtsApp – sprinkled with a variety of Torah insights related to the Parsha. You can subscribe (for free) at Chayenu.org/Chayus.
This section is made possible by the generosity of Shmuly & Leah Schapiro, in honor of his parents.
A Mishnah in Depth
The Mishnah is the foundation of the Oral Torah, authored by Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi, soon after the destruction of the 2nd Beis Hamikdash, recording for the very first time the centuries of tradition and teachings. It is upon this groundwork that the Talmud is based and expounds.
We are glad to feature every week (beginning with Parshas Chayei Sarah) a Mishnah in-depth, with a variety of commentary, from the Schottenstein Edition of the Mishnah Elucidated by Artscroll Publication / Mesorah.
Learn the basics and inspire your soul! (Mishnah – משנה have the same letters as soul – נשמה)
Chayenu is excited to welcome back Artscoll to the Chayenu family as a participating publisher. We are grateful to the ArtScroll Mesorah Publications for graciously allowing Chayenu to feature Masechta Brochos from the acclaimed Schottenstein Edition Mishnah Elucidated.
This section is dedicated by the Piekarski family l’iluy Nishmas their father R’ Abba Piekarski a”h, who had a special place for Mishnah in his heart.
Chasidus: Kuntres Uma’ayon
Kuntres Uma’ayon is the title given to a now famous discourse written by the Rebbe Rashab, in response to the challenges of secularism and non-Jewish ideologies that faced Russian Jewry at that time.
This Ma’amar looks deeply into the oldest battle of man – man against his own evil inclination. It is a comprehensive treatise written in the spirit and style of traditional ethical Torah teachings, touching upon the various challenges one experiences when faced with the reality of material existence obstacles that stand in the way of achieving true spiritual heights.
Along the way you will encounter numerous topics of interest, amongst them: The unique quality of man and the profound effect that the study of Chassidus has on the person learning (Discourse 1); How to remain “one” with G-d and the yearning of the soul (Discourse 2-6); how evil exists, and how the wicked prosper (Discourse 8-10); the primary source of income, understanding that it comes from G-d and how it reaches man (Discourse 17-25); why a person needs to work (Discourse 25).
Chayenu will be serializing this Chassidic Classic from the famed “Chasidic Heritage Series” over the next few months, featuring a redesigned layout with Hebrew-English side-by-side, for easier learning. It’s not too late to jump on board.
We are grateful to Kehot Publication Society for allowing Chayenu to serialize this discourse.
The Chasidus section is made possible by the generosity of Ezzy & Malka Rappaport.
To join the Chayenu worldwide community of learners, pump your day with exciting Torah learning and jump on board, visit Chayenu.org/subscribe today.
To give it a try for 3 months, visit: Chayenu.org/Trial
Is this the first ever collaboration between Chabad and Artscroll?