ESSAYS| 2020

ESSAYSss| Finalists

My Garden

Yosef Kaufmann

Creative 2020 / Finalists

Introduction On the 10th of Shevat, 1951, the Lubavitcher Rebbe gave a groundbreaking maamer (chassidic discourse) as He accepted the leadership of the Lubavich movement. In the talk, entitled Basi Legani, the Rebbe laid out the mission for our generation. The Rebbe explained how Gds Divine Presence – the Shechina, was originally in this world.

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The Lamplighter

Rivka Cohen

Essays 2020 / Finalists

Chassidic Tools for Self-Discovery   Introduction – Chassidus is the Compass   “Rebbe, what is a chassid?”  Replied the Rebbe: “A chassid is a lamplighter…”   Rabbi Sholom DovBer, the 5th Lubavitcher Rebbe   Everyone has the same question, and so few people know where to look for the answer. For  some, the question takes the form of a

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Staying Strong To Who We Are Despite Our Surroundings

Mushka Cohen

Essays 2020 / Finalists

“They didn’t change their names, their language or their dress” [1] Living in our world nowadays isn’t at all that easy. There is the constant and persistent voice in our head that whispers “Just do what everyone else is doing”, “Why do you have to stick out as different?” and “Just be like everyone else”.

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Torah Maps

Anthony Bensusan

Creative 2020 / Finalists

Torah Mapping  It is a well known concept within Chassidut that sight has an advantage over hearing; there are  abundant sources within the writings and Torah’s of all the Rebbayim, but for brevity I bring just a  few sources from Maimorim of the Rebbe on this subject.  In the Maimor from Parsht Mikeitz (Zote Chanukah)

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Judaism: Irrelevant Micromanagement

Chaya Rivkin

Essays 2020 / Finalists

Judaism: Irrelevant Micromanagement Or An Inconceivable, All-Encompassing Relationship Human beings instinctively search for meaning. We crave purpose and fulfillment. In an analysis done by the Pew Research Center, it was found that in the U.S. and many other countries around the world, regular participation in a religious community is clearly linked with higher levels of

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The Edges of Illusion

Yehudis Fishman

Creative 2020 / Finalists

Introduction This poem is based on the concept of Unity within Multiplicity. The sources are from: Tanya, chapter 20 and Shaar Ha’Yichud v’haemuna, chapters 1 and 2. The poem is connected to the idea that Olam, world, can mean concealment of E-lokut, but also in this world of Malchut is the deepest revelation of essence,

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Inspiration vs. Internal Motivation

Pessi Naparstek

Creative 2020 / Finalists

Inspiration motivates a person and brings him to new heights, but only externally. Real accomplishments are obtained through one’s own efforts. The level of a person after one has toiled and struggled are much greater and deeper than if it was as a result of an outside influence. Divine inspiration changes nature, but internal motivation

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Equanimity Amidst

Kesem Mia Hetsrony

Essays 2020 / Finalists

Sitting in the hospital, my phone rings.  It’s our family doctor. We touch base about the medical situation at hand, my thoughts on the matter, and the good outcome we anticipate. “Your equanimity is impressive” the doctor notes, and then adds, “You do know what ‘equanimity’ means, right?  Afterall, it’s so uncommon these days”. Equanimity;

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