RBT's Tanya Shiurim AVAILABLE

Unfortunately, the blog has gone into hibernation for the time being. The good news is...

...you can still benefit from Rav Benzion's weekly Tanya shiur (which started again after a couple months off) by going to the following link:

 

http://www.ou.org/torah/author/Rabbi-Benzion-Twerski#.UNTKA7as1wK

As an aside, I appreciate greatly those who emailed and expressed interest in the blog's "techiyas hameisim". As of now, I am not able to devote the requisite time to new content and upkeep, but b'ezras Hashem, I hope to start up again at some time in the future.

Igeres Hateshuva #1 (RBT)

In honor of the Yom Tov season, Rav Benzion has suspended the regular order of Tanya and is teaching the third chelek which deals with the process of Teshuva according to Chassidus:
 
DOWNLOAD IGERES HATESHUVA PART 1

Tanya Shiur #32 (RBT)

DOWNLOAD Recap of chapters 1-25

(18:01 min. - 4.12 MB)

Rebbe Quotes: The Way Back Home

"The way back home is in the consistence of the relationship and feeling empowered by it."

Tanya Shiur #31 (RBT)

DOWNLOAD CHAPTER 25

(22:49 min. - 5.2 MB)

For previous shiurim, click here.

Tanya Shiur #30 (RBT)

DOWNLOAD Chapter 24 

(34:22 min. - 5.9 MB)

VIDEO: Yosis Alayich

For your viewing pleasure, here is a clip of the Rebbe, shlit"a, dancing at the recent Silverman-Twerski wedding in Milwaukee. Somehow, no matter how much physical pain and discomfort the Rebbe experiences, when it comes to hakafos on Simchas Torah or dancing mitzva tantz at a chasunah, he seems to forget it all and display supernatural energy and strength. May the Rebbe always have the ability to dance as he does in this video! (Click "READ MORE" to go to the video.)

Where the Sidewalk Ends

Is this the last time we have changed?

Whenever the city lays a sidewalk, the name of the city is imprinted in the new slabs of cement, along with the year in which they were poured. Between the Rebbe's house and the shul there are some new slabs that have recently replaced the old, crumbling ones, and hence, have been stamped "City of Milwaukee 2012". The rest of the sidewalk slabs each boast the year in which they were poured and set. Some read 2001, others 1997, and some go back to the 80's or before.

We are not concrete. People are meant to grow, to change, never to remain the same. But if we take a penetrating, honest look at ourselves, when was the last time we really changed? Five years? Ten years? Perhaps longer?

Pictures: Switzerland Wedding 5772

The Rebbe, shlit"a, returned last week from a two week stay in Switzerland. He went for the chasunah of his grandson (son of Rav Efraim from Chicago) and stayed on an extra week to rest a bit. Twelve years ago, the Rebbe composed his famous "Ilu Finu" nigun in the same mountains where he spent the last week. In any event, the chasunah was mamish something spectacular, as I heard from a number of those present. Thanks to Ely Weisz of Chicago who was there and sent me the above picture along with the following:

Tanya Shiur #29 (RBT)

DOWNLOAD CHAPTER 23

33:55 min. - 8.2 MB

For previous shiurim, visit the TANYA page.

Tanya Shiur #28 (RBT)

DOWNLOAD Chapter 22 - Part 3

(Running time: 31:22 min. - Size 7.21 MB)

FYI: The next two classes will only be available by phone, not at the house.

Contemplating Our Legacy

The Medrash clearly states that contact with a corpse is not what renders one a tamei meis, nor is the water of the Para Aduma what restores one's state of purity, rather it is a Divine decree that does both. That being the case, the question is why? In addition, assuming tumah is negative, how can fulfilling a great mitzvah such as caring for a meis mitzvah result in tumas meis? In this shiur, the Rebbe starts out with these two questions. The second half is about the contemplation that should result from visiting with death. What is our legacy going to be? Most people let life make demands on them and get swept away without ever pausing for long enough to get in the driver seat of their own legacy. While pinpointing our unique mission specifically can be a lifelong endeavor, the Rebbe offered a few general yet extremely insightful and fundamental guidelines for creating a "Jewish legacy."

Seeking the High Ground - Part II (audio)

The recording of the Rebbe's second session in the "Seeking the High Ground" series is now available. This session was about the principle of Thought; the Rebbe explained it simply, in his own inimitable style, and in terms consistent with classic Torah outlook. What is reality? Where does that reality come from? In what ways can I influence my life? These are some of the questions that were dealt with along the way to understanding Thought. The interplay between Chochma and Binah also featured prominently in this session.

Tanya Shiur #27 (RBT)

DOWNLOAD CHAPTER 22 - PART 2

(Running time: 43:30 - Size: 7.46 MB)

DOWNLOAD Source sheet for the shiur (PDF)

Rebbe Quotes: Heaven's Way of Judgement

When Heaven judges a person, not only the person is judged, but everybody who is affected by that person. In a human court, they have to enforce the law against the individual who committed the crime regardless of the circumstances. A human court ignores the fact that he has a wife and children who rely on him; they'll lock him up nonetheless. But in Heaven, they look at the whole picture. If they carry out the sentence against the guilty individual others will be effected, and in truth, no one is an individual.