But who actually determines what is right? And what is moral? Israel's government? Emmanuel Macron? Or perhaps the UN?

The Lubavitcher Rebbe once said that "there are two types of laws – laws that create life and laws created by life. Human laws were created from life, therefore they differ in every country according to the country's conditions. God's Torah is a divine constitution that creates life. The Torah is equal in all places and at all times, an eternal Torah. There is no value to justice and righteousness when these are built only on laws established by people."

The most basic codex of humanity's laws was received at Mount Sinai. Commandments such as "I am the Lord your God," "Honor your father and mother," and "You shall not murder." From those Ten Commandments emerged and continue to reach us today thousands of laws and regulations that create life. They are not pragmatic, they do not rise to a second, third, or fourth reading, and they do not change back and forth according to political weather or poll results. They primarily ensure, like a compass needle, that we will always find the true north – and also the compass in our hearts.

Often, one of the things that demonstrates to us more than anything else the dimensions of hatred and evil directed toward us from Gaza is found in footage of local children. Whether in dreams about "killing Jews," in educational materials, or in terror camps. And this is far more distressing and disheartening than seeing such adults. Why? Because children are a preview of what is still buried in the ground – of the seeds that contain the blossoming of the future.

Like a perfect mirror image, the Midrash tells that when God wanted to give the Torah to Israel, He requested guarantors, as before signing a loan. The children of Israel offered various distinguished guarantors, but only when it was suggested that "our children will be guarantors for us" did the Holy One agree and give the holy Torah to the people of Israel.

And why specifically the children? Because when God wanted to give the Torah, He essentially made a trade – He gave the Jewish people His most precious possession ("Your Torah is better to me than thousands of gold and silver"), and expected to receive something in return. A win-win situation. Precisely millions of children of the people of Israel, the future of the Jewish people at any given moment, are the reason that convinces God that the investment in us will always be quite worthwhile.

May we merit a joyful holiday, and may we receive the Torah this year with joy and inwardly together with all IDF soldiers, the hostages and their dear families, and feel as we did then, beside Mount Sinai – one united people.

Rabbi Moni Ender is the head of Chabad's public relations

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In the heart of Los Angeles lies Dodger Stadium, a place where baseball history has been made and where two players have statues outside in their honor: Jackie Robinson and Sandy Koufax. While Robinson is celebrated for breaking baseball's color barrier, Koufax's legacy is tied to a remarkable choice he made during the biggest game of his career. This is the story of how sitting out of the World Series transformed Sandy Koufax into a Jewish American icon.

The context of the 1960s

The 1960s in America were marked by cultural upheaval, with the likes of lava lamps, Beatlemania, and flower children. However, this period was also rife with casual antisemitism. Although American Jews enjoyed freedoms their grandparents could scarcely imagine, they faced significant societal barriers. Strict quotas kept them out of affluent neighborhoods and elite universities, and antisemitic tropes persisted, suggesting that Jews were too powerful and that they could never fully belong in America.

Most American Jews sought acceptance, often turning their backs on their heritage to assimilate into mainstream society. They worked on Saturdays, changed their Jewish last names, and ignored Jewish holidays, all in an effort to fit in. Then came Sandy Koufax, who threw a curveball into this identity crisis.

Sandy Koufax's identity

Though not the most devout Jew, Sandy Koufax was proud of his Jewish heritage. He grew up in a Jewish neighborhood, attended synagogue during the high holidays, and never hid his identity. In the world of Major League Baseball, he stood out, facing prejudice and slurs from some of his teammates. The black players, including Jackie Robinson, recognized Koufax's struggles and welcomed him, forming a bond over shared experiences of discrimination.

They supported one another, and Koufax found camaraderie with them. Despite his talent, he faced criticism in the media. Nonetheless, he excelled, earning the nickname "the left arm of God." His success shattered stereotypes that Jews were weak or incapable of athleticism, inspiring pride among Jewish Americans.

The 1965 World Series

In 1965, as the Dodgers entered the World Series, expectations were low due to a lackluster offense. However, their pitching staff, led by Koufax, carried the team to the championship. When Game 1 of the World Series arrived on October 6, all eyes were on Koufax. But he was nowhere to be found at Metropolitan Stadium, leading to questions about his absence during such a crucial game.

Why was he missing? October 6 was not only the day of the World Series; it was also Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. For Koufax, this was a no-brainer. Baseball was his profession, but Judaism was central to his identity. He chose to honor his faith over his career, a decision that resonated deeply within the Jewish community.

The impact of his decision

For decades, American Jews had faced a binary choice: to be Jewish or to be American. Koufax's decision demonstrated that they could embrace both identities. He took Yom Kippur off as a sign of respect for his heritage, honoring his parents, ancestors, and community. The Dodgers owner even supported his choice, stating he wouldn't let Koufax pitch on Yom Kippur under any circumstances.

The team played Game 1 without him, and when the substitute pitcher struggled, he humorously remarked to the manager, "I bet right now you wish I was Jewish too." Despite the initial setback, Koufax returned after Yom Kippur and pitched brilliantly, leading the Dodgers to victory and earning the MVP title.

Legacy

Koufax's legacy extended beyond the baseball field. His decision inspired countless Jews, even those who were not baseball fans. The news of his choice reached far and wide, even to the headquarters of the Chabad movement, where the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson spoke about his example of pride and self-sacrifice. Many young Jews began attending services instead of watching the games, and parents held Koufax up as a role model.

Throughout the years, other Jewish players followed in his footsteps. In 2001, Shawn Green ended his consecutive game streak to observe Yom Kippur, and Max Fried, a Jewish pitcher, wore number 32 in Koufax's honor. Koufax became a symbol not just of Jewish pride but of resilience against antisemitism, reminding everyone of the importance of standing by one's beliefs. The statue of Sandy Koufax stands proudly outside Dodger Stadium alongside Jackie Robinson, a testament to his enduring impact.

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Former President Donald Trump made a personal prayer visit on Monday to the Ohel in Queens, New York, marking one year since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

The Ohel, the resting place of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, known as the Lubavitcher Rebbe, is considered the most visited Jewish holy site in North America. Approximately 400,000 people make pilgrimages to the site each year, while millions more send written prayers via email and post.

According to Chabad.org, Trump was welcomed by Rabbi Abba Refson, director of the visitor's center at the Ohel, and Rabbi Motti Seligson, a spokesman for Chabad-Lubavitch. Also present were family members of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, Auschwitz survivor Jerry Wartski, Republican activist Ben Shapiro, and Jewish college students speaking out against campus antisemitism.

Trump's visit continues a family tradition. His daughter, Ivanka Trump, and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, made late-night visits to the Ohel before both presidential elections. The timing of Trump's visit, two days after Rosh Hashanah, is significant in Jewish tradition. Special emphasis is placed on visiting holy sites in the days leading up to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

BREAKING VIDEO:

Trump seen at Ohel Chabad Lubavitch, praying for America and Israel.

Trump has Jewish grandkids and has been a firm supporter of Israel. pic.twitter.com/Wuq3LftKlx

— Noah Griffith (@Noah_Griffith_) October 7, 2024

 Trump's visit follows recent pilgrimages by other world leaders to the Rebbe's resting place. Just over two weeks ago, Argentine President Javier Milei and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama paid their respects at the Ohel. Milei, who has strong connections to the Jewish community, attributed his electoral success to a prayer he offered at the site shortly before his victory. In a separate visit, Sara Netanyahu, spouse of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was also seen at the grave, joined by relatives of hostages currently held in Gaza.

Do I have this all right?

October 7th events:

Trump - visiting the Lubavitcher Rebbe's Ohel & hosting a memorial event tonight in FL

Vance - speaking at October 7th Memorial on the National Mall

Harris - planting a tree at home

Walz - taping Jimmy Kimmel

— Eli Steinberg (@HaMeturgeman) October 7, 2024

 The Lubavitcher Rebbe, recognized as one of the most influential rabbis in modern history, has been honored by every US president since Jimmy Carter. In 1994, he was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his "extraordinary life and work."

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The 30th yahrzeit of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, widely known as the Lubavitcher Rebbe, marks a significant date for the Chabad-Lubavitch movement and Jewish communities worldwide. As the seventh and last Rebbe of the Lubavitch dynasty, his influence extended far beyond his passing on June 12, 1994 (3 Tammuz 5754 in the Hebrew calendar).

Thousands gathered at the Rebbe's Ohel (grave site) in New York for a memorial event, where prominent Chabad rabbis told memorable stories of the late Rebbe. Jon Polin, father of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, joined the shluchim (emissaries) at Kever Rochel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Chabad on Campus shluchim in Jerusalem, praising their role as ambassadors for the Jewish people amidst rising antisemitism. Netanyahu's close relationship with the Lubavitcher Rebbe is well known. The Rebbe had told him to "light a candle of truth" in his dealings with the UN in 1984.

Happening now: thousands are gathered to remember the life and legacy of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. https://t.co/9vOYKjjEuE pic.twitter.com/aZaxpJTPOt

— Yaacov Behrman (@ChabadLubavitch) July 9, 2024

Widely regarded as one of the most influential Jewish leaders of modern times, the Rebbe's teachings continue to inspire and guide people worldwide. His legacy is carried on by the work of Chabad and its numerous shluchim, who promote Jewish education and outreach. His teachings on Jewish mysticism, his emphasis on acts of kindness, and his vision of preparing the world for the Messianic era continue to inspire followers and admirers.

Tonight, Gimel Tamuz marks 30 years since the passing of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

His absence is felt every day—but so is his presence.

He transformed Jewish life—showing how this cold modern world can still be a warm vibrant home for divinity. pic.twitter.com/uqbUakg85G

— David/Dovid Bashevkin (@DBashIdeas) July 8, 2024

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An unusual item has recently arrived at the Appel Auction house in New York.

Collectors will soon have the chance to bid on the wheelchair that belonged to the leading 19-century Chabad Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn.

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Schneersohn was the sixth Rebbe of the Chabad Lubavitch Hassidic movement, potentially leading to great interest among collectors and Chabad members.

The auction house published photos and letters attesting to the item's authenticity. Based on the items, Schneersohn used to have two wheelchairs. One was kept at the Chabad World Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, New York, while the other was used by Schneersohn for community events.

The wheelchair currently on auction was gifted by Schneersohn's grandson, Shalom Ber Gourary, to Rabbi Shaul Shimon Deutsch.

"My grandfather has two wheelchairs. This chair [referring to the photo] shows that he used it to go to events," he wrote in a letter. In one of the photos, Schneersohn is seen using the wheelchair at a Chabad event in 1943, seven years prior to his death.

Schneerson was the last Chabad Rebbe to live in the town of Lubavitch, a town that was at the time under Tsarist Russia's control and today is part of Belarus. In 1920 he became the leader of the movement after his father, the fifth Rebbe, Sholom Dovber Schneersohn, passed away.

In 1927, he was sentenced to death without trial for operating a secret network of Jewish schools, a matter illegal at the time. As a result of international pressure, he was instead sent to exile to the city of Kostroma, more than 300 kilometers (186 miles) from Moscow. After his release, again due to international pressure, he was allowed to leave Russia. He moved to Latvia, and eventually to the United States.

In 1940, he purchased the famous 770 building in New York. After passing away in 1950, his son-in-law, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, known as the Lubavitcher Rebbe, took over.

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Supermodel Naomi Campbell, 51, who inspired her fans last May by announcing she had become a mother for the first time, continued adding to her fascinating story earlier this week by offering a glimpse into her ongoing relationship with Judaism.

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On Sunday, Campbell posted a photo to Instagram, taken two years ago, of her first visit to the grave of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, in Queens, New York.

The world-famous model posted the image, which was accompanied by the words, "TheRebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson," to mark the 27^th anniversary of his passing.

In an Instagram post from 2019 to mark the 25^th anniversary of his passing, Campbell wrote: "Today, is the anniversary of the passing of #TheRebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson. An inspirational leader, scholar, and teacher, the Rebbe taught that we are all inherently good and we each have the potential to change the world for the better, one good deed at a time.

"I have personally learned so much from his wisdom and teachings, and while I never met him, I visit his resting place in Queens to gain blessing and inspiration. With so much discord and division across our society, the Rebbe's words are more relevant than ever, and we so desperately need to take them to heart and learn from his example to always see the good in others, even those with whom we may disagree.

"Today I rededicate myself to the Rebbe's life-long mission of creating more light and goodness, and making a better future for ourselves and all of humanity."

In 2016, former president Shimon Peres hosted Campbell at the Peres Center for Peace  in honor of International Women's Day.

Peres presented Campbell with the "Women Leading Change" award in honor of her work for women and communities.

"Leaders like you, Mr. Peres, and Nelson Mandela, are what make the world a better place," said Campbell during a joint interview with Peres. "You inspire me."

Campbell's first visit to Israel was in 2012 to celebrate her 42nd birthday with her former boyfriend, Russian businessman Vladislav Doronin.

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In keeping with Schneerson's lifetime goals and teachings, millions throughout the world will be participating in prayers, lectures, gatherings, tributes and the additional performance of good deeds in Schneerson's memory.

Rabbi Elie Mischel of Livingston, NJ, often talks about Schneerson and his impact from the pulpit of the Suburban Torah Synagogue, a Modern Orthodox congregation. Mischel sums up Schneerson's impact this way: "The rebbe was not only the rebbe of Chabad but also the rebbe of the entire Jewish people."

"The rebbe's concern transcended the specific needs and issues of his devoted Hassidim and extends to every last Jew in the world," he says. "The rebbe was truly the … 'leader of the generation,' and his legacy remains essential to all Jews."

In California, the dozen Chabad Houses that comprise Chabad of Conejo Valley and Ventura County will jointly host "An Evening of Unity and Inspiration" on July 10, which will unite a cross-section of people from all Jewish backgrounds.

"There is so much doom and gloom and friction in the world, but the rebbe taught us to look on the brighter side and see the good in everyone," says Rabbi Yitzchok Sapochinsky, director of Chabad of Westlake Village, California. "He believed in each individual, and we need to believe in ourselves."

The power of positivity and Schneerson's thoughts on the subject are at the heart of a new book, "Positivity Bias" by Rabbi Mendel Kalmenson, who will be one of the keynote speakers at the "Evening of Unity and Inspiration." Also scheduled to speak is Salvador Litwak, a Hollywood screenwriter.

Like many other communities, the Southern California program is being held under the banner of "One Heart, One People." That banner, says Sapochinsky, exemplifies what Schneersohn was all about: being one.

"We are trying to bring everyone together under one roof. At the core, we are one people, and the rebbe taught us that," he said.

A display of unity will also be seen down under as a standing-room-only crowd in Sydney, Australia, comes together to remember the rebbe during a community gathering. Rabbi Simon Jacobson, the NY-based author of "Toward a Meaningful Life" and other works will join them to discuss five transformative and enduring lessons from Schneersohn."

According to Rabbi Elimelech Levy, director of Chabad Youth New South Wales, "We all get caught up in the day-to-day grind of life and rarely have the chance to be deeply inspired," continues Levy. "We hope that through Rabbi Jacobson, we will be able to bring people from all walks of life and give them the chance to be inspired by the rebbe's work."

The largest gathering is expected to take place in Queens, at the resting place of both Schneersohn and his father-in-law – the sixth Lubavitcher rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, with some 50,000 men expected to arrive there over the week.

A focus on education, welfare, students and soldiers

Throughout the year, hundreds of thousands of individuals, both Jews and non-Jews, frequent his resting place seeking blessings, spiritual guidance and inspiration. In addition to personal visits, Schneerson's resting place annually receives more than 500,000 prayer requests via email and fax, and virtually all of the visitors this week will be bringing petitions for blessings from friends and family around the world.

While men have gathered at Schneerson's burial place to mark the yahrtzeit, the anniversary of his death, every year since his passing, this will be the first time there is a concurrent program for women and girls. Some 400 women are estimated to have attended the "Shabbat of Reflection, Connection and Action" program led by Chabad emissaries from South Africa, Australia, and Hawaii, at a hotel a few miles from the burial site.

Though he is known for his work in ensuring Jewish continuity and his love for the Jewish people, Schneersohn also made a significant mark on the world as a whole. His dedication to children with special needs – he advocated for the term years before it became part of the common lexicon – and his focus on education, welfare and those in the military who defend their countries earned him respect from world leaders. He was awarded a Congressional Medal, and the US National Education and Sharing Day was established in his honor.

Online, Schneerson's visionary approach to many of the questions and challenges faced by society has been made available on the Chabad.org website, which combines hundreds of transcripts, clips of original footage and personal correspondence with Schneerson, highlighting how he applied the wisdom of hassidic philosophy to real-world issues.

Among the topics addressed are mass incarceration, the importance of renewable energy and the imperative of transforming public education for the greater good.

In the 25 years since his passing, Schneerson's influence continues to grow – extending to an ever-increasing number of people from across the religious and political spectrum. Writing this week in Tablet magazine, author Liel Leibovitz articulates the importance of learning and adopting what Schneerson has to teach, in principle and in practice.

"We need to follow in the footsteps of our elders," whoever those elders might be, writes Leibovitz, "and listen to the rebbe."

"The lesson he bequeaths us isn't an easy one to learn," concludes Leibovitz, "but it's one we can't afford to ignore. For Jewish life in America, more imperiled now than ever before, to continue, we need to relearn how to love – each other, ourselves, and our tradition. It takes a very great rabbi to teach us that."

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