Neshomele • Journeys

It is bitter cold in New York.
We have what to be thankful for.
Let it warm our Shabbos souls, and let Shabbos warm our souls.

Yes, dear Malach'l, I can see Kedusha over there!

The Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe was asked why he "wasted" precious resources on the types of people who had abandoned mainstream Jewish commitment and showed no signs of turning back.

"Because," he responded, "there are four sections to Shulchan Aruch. And of those four sections, Choshen Mishpat is the fourth. And within Choshen Mishpat are scores of sub-sections, each with a collection of individual chapters. And in one of the very last sections, covered by a handful of points, are the laws explaining ascent and descent.

"We have to learn in order: the first 3 sections of purposeful, vibrant, joyful Jewish living and the main thrust of the fourth. When we are done, we can look at that last part and dare to judge who is going up or down."

Good Shabbos, friends.

Freely paraphrased from Likkutei Sichos Vol. 1, Parshas Bo, Ch.12-17.