There are plenty of stories that we hear, and can’t stop ourselves from wondering how the people in the story didn’t seize the incredible opportunity offered to them at that moment. After all these important steps, will we seize this opportunity or will it fall apart? It is the responsibility of all of us to make this happen. Written by Shraga Crombie, about the current awakening for Achdus among Chassidim • Full Story

But the overall winner for the highest number of hate crime complaints was the 71st Precinct with 18 complaints. Of those, 14 were labeled as “anti-Jewish”, another as anti-White, another as anti-gay and two as ambiguous. All but one of the suspects arrested in the attacks in the 71st were black men • Full Article

Is it permissible to read secular newspapers or magazines, particularly on Shabbos? Also, what did the Rebbe write in response to precisely this question? • Written by Horav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, member of the Badatz of Crown Heights • Full Article

If someone is considering adopting a child, it cannot be stressed enough how crucial it is for them to discuss the halachos involved with a competent Rav in order to determine what the permissible options are. Written by Horav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, member of the Badatz of Crown Heights • Full Article

A ‘mock wedding’ – Kiddushei schok – can have serious halachic repercussions. If a boy gives a girl a ring – or anything of value – and says, albeit in jest, “Harei at mekudeshes li…” (You are hereby consecrated to me) it is called kiddushei schok. Written by Horav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, member of the Badatz of Crown Heights • Full Article

What is Hakhel? What is the original form of Hakhel? What is the Rebbe’s Hakhel? What does it mean in practicality? All this and more. Written by Nochum Shmaryohu Zajac • Full Article

There is a product on the market which is an undershirt with tzitzis on it. It’s worn by some people in hot weather, or while exercising or jogging. In order for such an undershirt to be kosher for tzitzis there are a few important things to note. Written by Horav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, member of the Badatz of Crown Heights • Full Article

Historically, Orthodox Jews have drunk beer without any kosher certification. In our times, most people look for a kosher certification even on water! Beer is a lot more complicated than water and there are various kosher concerns that can come up in production. Written by Kosher Spirit of the OK • Full Article

Many shuls sell seats for Yamim Noraim. There is a discussion among contemporary poskim whether maaser may be used to purchase a seat. Written by Horav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, member of the Badatz of Crown Heights • Full Article

The Chassid, R’ Avrohom Maiyor would say that the two months of Elul and Tishrei are “the Rebbe’s months,” since what makes them special and an auspicious time is in the merit of Moshe Rabbeinu.Written by Rabbi Naftali Estulin • Full Article

They say that there is a thin line between tragedy and comedy, but no one was prepared for the tragic slaughter of a team of lampoonists by Muslim terrorists ● Some suggest that France is now getting its due after its recent escalating muggings of Israel and tolerating Muslim atrocities against Jews ● Rabbi Simon Jacobson presents a fresh take on the recent terror attacks in Paris ● Op-Ed

Theoretical physicist Paul Davies said that “the appearance of design is overwhelming” and Oxford professor Dr. John Lennox said “the more we get to know about our universe, the more the hypothesis that there is a Creator . . . gains in credibility as the best explanation of why we are here” ● Read More

A Bas Noach shares some inspiring personal insight on the spreading of the Seven Laws of Noach ● “If the purpose of the physical world is to make it a dwelling place for G-d, and a Jew does this by spiritually refining the world, then spreading the Seven Laws of Noach to spiritually refine the Gentiles must certainly be at the forefront of that task, and it must be that now is the time” ● Opinion

With all due respect, to be a shliach today doesn’t mean being granted a pass to either of the banquets held this past Sunday. And it doesn’t mean having a Chabad house, although this is a most noble pursuit. It means to do acts with all of our might to bring Moshiach. And at the time, if the act is handled with complete devotion and dedication, then you are an emissary, a shliach, at that time ● Op-Ed

I am not the type that gets quickly (or even slowly) agitated. But an article in the New York Times agitated me to no end ● The article was about a victim of an assassination attempt, whom the editors coined, well, an… agitator ● Rabbi Simon Jacobson presents an Op-Ed

My whole life I’ve been taught and instilled with ideas that I know to be true but they were never as real to me as when I recently went on a trip to Russia and Israel ● I was born a Chabad girl, and it affected my life in many ways; customs, ways of living etc. And of course I was always proud to be Chabad, but when I look back at myself I ask, was I really? * A Chabad teenager writes how a trip reconnected her with Chabad ● Op-Ed

How do you feel about bringing young children to shul? ● Our “source” for bringing children to shul is neither our schedule nor our lack of other childcare options ● Op-Ed

I am sure that inside some of you are feeling disappointed and even angry at some of the current events. You – like the rest of Lubavitch – have seen the notices posted all over crown heights, Israel and the internet that there are new organizations that will be “taking care” of the Ruchnius and Gashmius of the guests – boys and girls – this coming Tishrei ● Rabbi Gershon Avtzon pens an “Open Letter” to the leaders of Eshel – Hachnosas Orchim ● Open Letter

Unfortunately, the issue of CSA, as well as other forms of child abuse, has been brushed under the rug in recent decades ● In the summer of 2011, JCW was launched to combat CSA, but immediately became a controversial organization ● Now that JCW is reopening, it is important that they keep to fundamental standards to ensure solid and consistent support from the community ● Op-Ed

Two weeks ago, a Jewish couple was attacked by pro-Palestinian thugs in the Upper East Side. Despite having the license plates and the identity of the suspects, no arrests have been made yet. On the other hand, when two Israeli men assaulted a 56-year-old African-American man in Crown Heights, they were immediately arrested and charged ● Would the mayor and comptroller have tweeted to the 20-year-old Jew who got his yarmulke thrown off his head had it been a keffiyah? ● Op-Ed

How much tuition did the Rebbe Rayatz want from students? ● What’s the Rebbe’s view on how a school should balance its budget? ● How did the Rebbe’s secretary respond when a school refused to accept students who couldn’t afford tuition? ● Read More

While bloody riots continue in Ferguson, Missouri after the killing of a black teenager, all is quiet in Miami after the killing of Rabbi Yosef Raksin ● President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder are only troubled by their own race, it’s the only thing and it’s everything ● Op-Ed