Shevat 7, 5772 · January 31, 2012 | Editor's Note:
| Dear readers, This Friday is the 10th of Shevat, a special day on our calendar. In the winter of 1950 the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, of righteous memory, released a chassidic discourse, Basi Legani, "I have come to my garden," defining our purpose in this world. He distributed it to be studied on the 10th day of Shevat, which marked the anniversary of his grandmother's passing. On that very day, his holy soul ascended heavenward. Every year, in honor of the yahrtzeit, the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, who had assumed leadership of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, would expound upon a different chapter of the original discourse penned by his predecessor. As time went on, it became increasingly clear that the topics addressed defined the Rebbe's leadership. We customarily study Basi Legani at this time of year. Its theme centers around a world which on the surface is inhospitable to its Creator, but through our efforts becomes a beautiful "garden"—a place that G‑d is delighted to inhabit. In this week's magazine, we are featuring a video class on this discourse. Please join us in studying and applying its rich lessons to our lives, so that together we can create a better, more meaningful and more G‑dly world. The Chabad.org Editorial Team |
 |  | | 10th of Shevat | | | Which garden? Who's coming to the garden? And why is this arrival in the garden such an important message for our generation?
By Naftali Silberberg |  |  | | | Join Rabbi Dubov as he explores the chassidic text that was to become the hallmark of the Rebbe's leadership. By Nissan Dovid Dubov |  | | | | There was no time to lose. Laden with his suitcases that had already been deplaned, and the Rebbe's blessing, Mr. Cohen boarded in the nick of time.
| | | | Wisdom for Life | | | "Why are you speaking of its ugliness?" he asked. "Contemplate its beauty!"
Translated by Tzvi Freeman | | | | | Coming across a lot of mud in life? Of course you are! It's a gold mine down here—and gold mines are mostly mud! By Tzvi Freeman | | | | | Why is it so hard to figure out how to accomplish our mission? Some people go through their entire lives just searching. Why is that?
By Chaya Sarah Silberberg | | | | | Life is a roller coaster. Everything is moving, everything is pulsating. Become small, receive life, and then shine.
By Tzvi Freeman | | | | | If you expect us to leave our natural habitats, it's about time you join the journey. Wobble or hobble, but don't watch the marathon of change from the sidelines.
By Levi Avtzon | | | | Relationships | | | Today more than ever, there are "emotional energy leaks" that vie for our attention How can spouses make sure they are cherishing each other properly? By Frumma Rosenberg-Gottlieb | | | | | There are some people whose insane or hostile acts bring out the worst in us and keep us from living joyfully.
By Miriam Adahan | | | | | He idolized his mostly absent and sometimes awesome father. I didn't want to be the one to tell him. I knew that eventually he would find out.
By Anonymous | | | | As Night Falls | | | Traffic rages, the phones won't leave you in peace, and adrenalin races through every vein. It takes courage to tell the world to stop while you chat with its Maker.
| | | | | As if with giant strokes of an invisible brush, G‑d sets the sky as His canvas. An outpouring of profound emotion and deep meaning.
By Yaakov Paley | | | | Beshalach: Out of Exile | | | The sea splits, manna rains down from heaven, water is extracted from a rock and war is waged on Amalek. How does this play out in our souls?
| | | | | So long as we train, plan and execute well, we can weather the storms thrown our way. But when there comes a crisis that we are unequipped to handle, we panic.
By Lazer Gurkow | | | | | I read that the Messiah will not only be a descendant of King David, but also of his son Solomon. Is this true?
By Yehuda Shurpin | | | | | When language aspires to the transcendent, and the soul longs to break free of the gravitational pull of the earth, it modulates into song.
By Rabbi Jonathan Sacks | | | | G-d Provides Daily Manna From Heaven... | | | Can you name a festival or religious observance that isn't centered around the consumption or avoidance of food?
By Elisha Greenbaum | | | | | "Why doesn't Reb Zusha ask me directly for his meal? In fact, who does he think he is fooling by calling out to G‑d like that. He knows full well that I bring him his food every day."
By Yerachmiel Tilles | | | | | We all want to be free. Free from debt. Free from worry. Free from fat. Free from stress.
By Shifra Hendrie | | | | ...Except for Shabbat | | | Why the cover? And how does it relate to the manna the Jews ate in the desert?
By Menachem Posner | | | | | Shabbat: the island of time that defines the Jew's week. The rituals, the practices, the do's, and the don'ts of the Jewish Sabbath—and how you can experience it all for yourself.
| | | | Attack on Israel | | | Amalek is the psychic and cosmic nemesis of all that is pure and G‑dly in man and in creation. How is he overcome? The key lies in a single word: "Remember."
Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe | | | | | Inspiration alone is insufficient. An awakening must be followed by action, or doubt can easily neutralize it. By Chana Weisberg | | | | | True peace will be achieved only when Jews stand steadfast. | | | | | |
Featured Judaica:  The Path of Selflessness
Beginning with the words Yehuda Atah, the discourse examines the blessing which Yaakov blessed his fourth son, Yehuda, as compared to the blessings he gave his first three sons, Reuven, Shimon and Levi. Price: $12.95 $11.65 |
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