BackgroundOur week-long chapter recounts the twelve scouts that Moshe sent to the Promised Land. Their task was to survey the country and figure out what the best ways to conquer it were.However, upon returning, the scouts brought alarming and negative news. They spread fear among the people, discouraged people from entering the Land of Israel, and caused panic. As a result, the whole nation was punished by long years of wandering in the desert, and the scouts themselves were severely punished for spreading the evil glory of the land. QuestionAt first glance, this seems unfair. After all, Moshe himself asked them to inspect the land, and they, in fact, conscientiously fulfilled the assignment! Why were they punished for passing on truthful information? Are they to blame for the fact that the inhabitants of that land were really powerful giants? 💡RESPONSEThe mission that Moshe put on them was not to assess whether it was worth going there at all. If the Almighty ordered to enter this land, there could be no doubt about it. The task of the scouts was purely tactical: to find out how to make the conquest the easiest and most effective.When they began to express their own judgments, questioning the very possibility of God fulfilling His promise, they betrayed their status as messengers and showed disbelief. They ceased to be the doers of the will of the Almighty and turned into advisers who doubted. 📌Lesson for lifeThis principle applies to both our daily lives and the fulfillment of the commandments. When we face obstacles and difficulties, it is important to remember that if the Almighty instructs or orders us to do something, it is certainly possible to do it. Our task is not to assess the chances of success of God's plan, but to look for ways to implement it. (Adapted from Likutey Sikhot, vol. 13, p. 39.) source: 📖 Lubavitcher calendar.

Tammuz - the fourth month of the yearTammuz is the fourth month of the year, counting the months as required by Jewish tradition — from Nisan. In the Tanakh, it is simply called the “fourth month.” The name "Tammuz", like the names of other months of the Jewish calendar, is of Babylonian origin. It was borrowed by the Jews after returning to Eretz Yisrael from the Babylonian exile.The very word "Tamuz" was the name of a famous pagan cult, as evidenced by the words of the prophet Ehezkel:“And there sit women mourning Tamuz” (Ehezkel 8:14). Rosh Chodesh TammuzaThe new moon (Rosh Chodesh) of Tammuz lasts two days, as the previous month, Sivan, is always full and has 30 days. Therefore, the first day of Rosh Chodesh Tammuz falls on the 30th of Sivan, and the second — on the 1st of Tammuz.Tammuz itself is always an incomplete month and consists of 29 days. Because of this, Rosh Walking next month, Ava, only lasts one day. Tamuz ConstellationThe moon Tammuz corresponds to the constellation Cancer. It got its name because the group of stars that occupies a central position in the sky during this period resembles cancer. In addition, it is in Tamuz that river crayfish actively multiply, because only at this time the water warms up enough. A special spiritual timeThe holy book of Zohar says that the days of the month of Tammuz, as well as the month of Av following it, are a time of increased spiritual danger. During this period, the forces of harsh judgment are strengthened in the world, so the sages say: "Happy is the one who manages to escape from them."That is why these days encourage a person to be more careful, to be spiritually strengthened and to approach the Almighty.3 Tamuzah — the miracle of Joshua bin Nun3 Tammuz witnessed one of the greatest events in Israel's history. During the war with the Emorites, Joshua bin Nun turned to the Almighty, and the sun and the moon stopped their movement, continuing to shine for thirty-six hours so that the people of Israel could complete the battle and gain victory. As the Book of Joshua says:“Sun, stop over Givon, and over the valley of Ayalon to the moon! And the sun stood still, and the moon stood, while the people avenged themselves on their enemies” (Joshua 10:12–13).This great historical event, according to Jewish tradition, took place on the 3rd of Tammuz. source: https://toldot.com/

📖IntroductionOur weekly chapter is called “Korah” and tells about the dispute between Korah and his community with Moshe-Rabain. They opposed Moses and Aaron being leaders of the people of Israel and demanded the priesthood (keguns) for themselves as well. As they say in their appeal:“For the whole congregation are all saints… Why do you exalt yourself above the congregation of the Lord?”Their rebellion was seen as a rebellion against the Most High, and they suffered a severe punishment: the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, their families, and all their possessions.🤔QuestionThere is a well-known rule set by our sages (Khazal):“Let the nameof the wicked rot away.”You should not call a child by the nameof a criminal or a wicked person, and in general, you should not mention him unnecessarily.If so, why is our chapter named after "Korah" — the man who opposed Moshe and the Almighty?💡ResponseThe truth is that it was Korach's aspiration that was right and worthy.Korach and his congregation were eager to receive the High Priesthood, the highest level of holiness a Jew could attain.This aspiration is right and desirable for every Jew.However, their act — denying the decision of the Almighty, who chose Aaron as High Priest and Moshe as the leader of the people — was completely unacceptable.📌A lesson for usEvery Jew should learn from Korach his desire to reach the highest levels of holiness.At the same time, it is necessary to learn a lesson from what happened when he went against the will of the Almighty, and to be wary of such a thing.Based on Likutey Sikhot, vol. 18, p. 207.Source:Lubavitcher calendar 

It was a long and scary night. The enemy attacked the peaceful city again, taking human lives, leaving pain, tears and ruined fates.Unfortunately, there are dead and injured.Sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their dearest people today. It is impossible to find words that could alleviate this pain. We grieve with you and share your grief.We pray for the wounded, for those who are waiting for news about their relatives, for rescuers and medics who, sparing no effort, help people.Special thanks to our defenders and defenders, air defense soldiers, who once again stood between the enemy and civilians last night. Thanks to you, many lives have been saved. Thank you for your courage, dedication and protection.Let's take care of each other. Let's support those who find it especially difficult today.May the Almighty protect Kyiv, Ukraine and all those who are going through these difficult days! 

1 tamuz 5587(June 26, 1827) — Yorzeit (anniversary of the departure from this world) Rabbi Kalonimus-Kalman ben Aaron ha-Levi Epstein from Krakow (Maor va Shemesh).Rabbi Kalonimus-Kalman studied with the great Hasidic sage Rabbi Elimelech from Lizhensk, Rabbi Menachem-Mendel from Rymanow and Rabbi Jaakiv-Yitzchak ha-Jose (“The Seer”) from Lublin. The latter, by the way, said that the soul of Rabbi Kalonimus is the soul of the sage mentioned in the Talmud, Rabbi Eliezer bin Kharsom, the high priest of the Second Temple.Rabbi Kalonimus led the Jewish community of Krakow, and he received the name "Maor va Shemesh" ("Light and Sun") after the name of his main work, published by his son, Rabbi Aaron Epstein.source: chabad.odessa

📌2 tamuz 2199 (1562 BC) — Birthday of Yosef, son of Jaakiv and Rachel.📌2 tamuz 2309 (1452 BC) — Yorzeit (anniversary of the departure from this world) Joseph, son of Jaakiv and Rachel.Yosef was a desirable child, because his birth was preceded by seven years of childless marriage of Jaakiv and Rachel. He was born in Haran, but when he was 6 years old, the family returned to Eretz Yisrael, settling near Hebron.The youngest of the children, Yosef, was his father's favorite, which displeased the older brothers, and they eventually tried to kill him. One of the brothers, Yehuda, persuaded the others to change their minds, but as a result of a chain of events, Yosef ended up in Egypt, where he was sold into slavery. He was 17 at the time.Here in Egypt, in the course of the events described in the Torah (resisting the temptations of the master's wife, prison, the solved dreams of the pharaoh), Yosef became the second person in the country. He married a woman named Asnath and became the father of two sons, Menashe and Ephraim.Yosef forgave his brothers and even invited them and their families to live in Egypt at a time when famine was raging in Eretz Israel. Thus, the sons of Yaakiv, numbering 70 people, found themselves in Egypt, which eventually led to Egyptian slavery and subsequent liberation. One and a half thousand years later, the Romans, who then ruled in Eretz Yisrael, executed ten Jewish sages, declaring that it was they who should and could be punished for selling Yosef's ten brothers.Before his death, Yosef took from the brothers a promise that after leaving Egypt they would take his remains with them and bury them in Eretz Israel.Yosef's grave is located in the city of Nablus. There was a yeshiva building near the grave called “Od Yosef Chai” (“Yosef is still alive”), but a few years ago, when Israeli troops left Nablus, the Palestinians destroyed the yeshiva and desecrated Yosef's grave.📌2 tamuz 5525 (June 21, 1765) — Yorzeit (anniversary of the departure from this world) to Rabbi Nachman of Horodenka.Rabbi Nachman, like Alter Rebbe, was a descendant of the famous sage and cabalist Rabbi Judah-Liwa ben Bezalel (Maharal) from Prague. He was a close disciple of the founder of Hasidism, Rabbi Israel Baal Shem-Tov, and his son, Rabbi Simcha, was married to the granddaughter of Baal Shem-Tov, Rebbetzin Feiga, the sister of Rabbi Boruch of Medjibozh and Rabbi Moshe-Ephraim of Sudilkov. The son of Rabbi Nachman and Rebbetzin Feiga was the famous Rabbi Nachman from Bratslav.Rabbi Baal Shem-Tov greatly appreciated and loved Rabbi Nachman. Another student of Baal Shem-Tov, Rabbi Pinchas from Korets, assured that while Rabbi Nachman lived in Poland, the Russian Empire could not seize the country. But the same day Rabbi Nachman left Poland for Israel, Russian soldiers entered Poland.It is said that the famous Rabbi Elazar Rokah, going to Eretz Yisrael, hoped to meet Rabbi Nachman there in order to bring Moshiach into the world with him. However, upon arriving in the country, he learned that Rabbi Nachman urgently went to Europe. In turn, Rabbi Nachman, hearing that Rabbi Elazar had arrived in Eretz Yisrael, urgently returned, but, unfortunately, while he was reaching the Holy Land, Rabbi Elazar, having lived there for one year, left this world.📌2 tamuz 5649 (June 1, 1889) — Yorzeit (anniversary of the departure from this world) Rabbi Abraham ben Mordechai of Tverskoy from Tresk.Rabbi Abraham was the fifth son of the famous Hasidic tzadik Rabbi Mordechai Tversky from Chernobyl, and he became famous under the name Magid from Treska (the city of Turiysk). The descendants of his sons — Rabbi Menachem Nachum from Brisk (Brest), Mordechai from Kuzhmir and Jaakiv-Lejba from Triska — created their own Triska dynasty.To Rabbi Abraham converged thousands of supporters (among them there were many Talmudists, wealthy people, rabbis and even tzaddiks), and he hosted everyone as guests, holding them at his own expense. Magid of Triska had a great influence among the Hasidim and during the reign of Nicholas I was even arrested (fortunately, for a short time) on suspicion of inciting disobedience to the government.source: chabad.odessa

📌3 Tammuz 2488 (1237 BC) — Yehoshua bin Nun stopped the Sun and the Moon in the sky.So that the Jews could continue the battle with the enemies — the inhabitants of Gibeon and impress them, the Jewish leader Joshua bin Nun appealed to the Almighty to stop the sun over Gibeon and the moon over the valley of Ayalon. As a result, the sun shone continuously for 36 hours.📌3 tamuz 5611 (July 3, 1851) — Great fire in Lyubavichy.In completely wooden Lyubavichy, fires have occurred repeatedly, but 3 tamuzas were one of the strongest fires in the history of the town. Then the house of the third Lubavitcher Rabbi Menachem-Mendel (Rabbi Zemach-Tzedek), as well as the houses of his sons, burned down.📌3 tamuz 5687 (July 3, 1927) — The day of the release of Rabbi Yosef-Itzhak (Rabbi Rajac, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe) from theShpalernaya Prison.Hasidim call this day "the beginning of Liberation." Arrested on the 15th of Sivan, Rebbe Rayats was initially sentenced to death, but thanks to the efforts of Mr. Mordechai Dubin and Dr. Usker Kogan, members of the Latvian and German parliaments, as well as the representative of the Red Cross in the USSR, Kateryna Peshkova (wife of Maxim Gorky), the sentence was commuted to 10 years of exile in Solovki. After that, thanks to Ms. Peshkova's petitions, he was changed again — this time for a 3-year stay in Kostroma.📌3 tamuza Rebbe Rajac, accompanied by the youngest daughter of Hai-Mushka and two Hasidim — the eldest son-in-law of Rabbi ShmarjaguGurarye and Rabbi Eliyahu Altgoiz — went to Kostroma.📌3 tamuz 5754 (June 12, 1994) — Yorzeit (anniversary of the departure from this world) Rabbi Menachem-Mendel Schneerson, the seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe.The passing from this world in the 93rd year of life of one of the greatest sages and leaders of our generation gave rise to many heated disputes and even speculation among both his supporters and among his opponents. However, his merits are so great and undeniable that in 2000, according to the results of Internet polls, he was named the most prominent retreating Jew of the century.source: chabad.odessa

📌4 tamuz 4931 (June 9, 1171) — Yorzeit (anniversary of the departure from this world) Rabbi Jaakiv ben Meir (rabbinic Tam).Rabbi Yaakiv ben Meir, the grandson of the great Torah commentator Rabbi Shlomo-Itzhak (Rashi), began his studies under his father, Rabbi Meir ben Shmuel, and his older brother, Rabbi Shmuel ben Meir, known by the acronym Rashbam.Rabbi Yaakov is known as rabbeinu (our teacher) Tam (from the word "tam" - complete, one who has no flaws. The Torah calls our forefather Yaakov - ish tam, a perfect man, righteous). Rabeinu Tam was recognized as the greatest Jewish scholar of his generation, and students came to him from places as far away from France as Bohemia and Russia. Together with several sages of the period (among them Rashi's second son-in-law Rabbi Yehuda bar Natan (Rivan), Rashi's grandsons Rashbam and Rivam (Rabbi Yitzchak ben Meir), and great-grandson Ri ha-Zaken) he participated in the creation of a large collection of additions to Rashi's commentaries on the Talmud. This work was called "Tosafot" ("Supplement"), and the scientists themselves are called Tosafists.One of the most famous solutions of rabbein Tama is “tefillin rabbeinu Tam”: according to Rabbi Yaakiva (an opinion based on a long tradition), the arrangement of the passages inside the tefillin boxes is somewhat different from the generally accepted one (known as “tefillin Rashi”). Both of these traditions are very ancient, and during archaeological research in Khirbet Qumran (the so-called Dead Sea Scrolls), both variants of tefillin were found.Rabbi Yaakiv lived in the town of Ramruh, where there was a yeshiva, which he headed, and earned his living by providing loans and winemaking. This forced him to maintain contacts with the French nobility and authorities, with whom he had numerous conflicts.During the Second Crusade in 1146, Rabbi Jaakov, being a wealthy wine merchant, suffered from pogromists: he was robbed to the ground, five deep knife wounds were inflicted and probably would have been killed if only a knight who personally knew Rabbeina Tama and appreciated his righteousness had not been next to him. The knight repulsed him from the angry crowd and led him to safety. The sage was saved, after which he left Ramruh and moved to Troyes.📌4 tamuz 5565 (June 1, 1805) — Yorzeit (anniversary of the departure from this world) Rabbi Pinchas ben Zvi Hirsch ha-Levi Hurwitz.Rabbi Pinchas was born in the Ukrainian town of Chortkiv and, together with his brother, the future Rabbi Shmuel-Shmelke from Nicolsburg (see 2 Iyar), studied first with his father, Rabbi Zvi Hirsch, and then in a non-Hasidic (“Lithuanian”) yeshiva, but after a trip to Mezhyrych and a meeting with the Magid — Rabbi Dov-Ber — the brothers became his devoted disciples and followers.At first, Rabbi Pinchas was an assistant to the rabbis in Witka and Lechowice, but in 1772 he received an honorable invitation to lead a yeshiva in Frankfurt am Main. The friendly and gentle Rabbi Pinchas enjoyed the love and respect of all the inhabitants of the city, including non-Jews. In Frankfurt, Rabbi Pinchas lived for 33 years, until his departure from this world.Rabbi Pinchas actively fought against the "father of reformism" Moses (Moshe) Mendelssohn, in particular, strongly opposed his planned translation of the Tanakh into German (Mendelssohn himself saw this as the first step towards the assimilation of Jews).The son of Rabbi Pinchas, Rabbi Zvi Hurwitz, known as Rabbi from Frankfurt.📌4 tamuz 5579 (June 27, 1819) — Yorzeit (anniversary of the departure from this world) Rebbetzin Esther-Myriam, daughter of the second Lubavitcher Rabbi, Rabbi Dov-Ber (Miteler Rebbe).In 1990, a tinplate with a partially damaged inscription was found at the Lubavitcher Jewish cemetery. From it it followed that Rebbetzin Esther-Miryam died duringthe life of her father (the words “let his years continue” were added to the name of the Rebbe Miteler, which are used only with the names of living people).Interestingly, until this moment, no one knew (or, more precisely, did not remember) about the existence of Miteler's daughter's rabbi Esther-Myriam.source: chabad.odessa

📌5 tamuz 3332 (429 BC) — Vision of the prophet Ehezkel Merkabah (Divine Chariot).On this day, the prophet Ehezkel, the first of the prophets who prophesied outside Eretz Israel, had a vision of the Divine Chariot (maase merkava), the description of which is an allegory of the spiritual structure of this world.📌5 tamuz 5046 (29 June 1286) — Arrest of Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg.Rabbi Meir ben Baruch, known as Magyar, was the ultimate authority for European Jews in the 13th century. After the accession of Rudolf I Habsburg to the German throne in 1286, an additional tax was imposed on the country's Jews, which simultaneously changed the status of German Jewry, turning them and all their property into the personal property of the emperor. The answer to this was the mass exodus of Jews from Germany. The leader of this exodus was Rabbi Meir, who was arrested and imprisoned. Since the authorities demanded a huge sum as a ransom (equal to the amount of the tax), Rabbi Meir forbade the congregation to ransom themselves, so as not to set a precedent and prevent extortion by the authorities (the Talmud says that if a sum is demanded for a captive that is much larger than reasonable limits, it is not possible to ransom him, so as not to tempt the kidnapper with easy earnings). Rabbi Meir died in prison in 1293, but his remains were not released for burial until 1307, when the Jews bought them for a large sum.

Today, 30 Sivan 5786The first day of Rosh Chodesh Tammuz📌5707 (1947)“Rebbe Rajac gave his consent and blessing for the founding of the Tomhei Timimim yeshiva in Brunoit.Iom YomThe weekly chapter of the Torah should be read in the order "Schneim Mikra ve-Ehad Targum" — each verse is twice in Scripture and once in translation. They also read Haftarah (an excerpt from the Books of Prophets), and in cases where Shabbat coincides with Rosh Hodesh, or double chapters are read and in other similar situations — the corresponding Haftaroth.The answer of our teacher Alter Rebbe to a young man — an outstanding Torah scholar and a talented student who first came to him for Yehidut in 5555 (1795) in Lyady:The material and the spiritual are opposite in nature; what is an advantage in the material may be a disadvantage in the spiritual.In the material world, a person who is satisfied with his lot possesses great virtue, and through inner work can reach the highest levels.In the spiritual world, satisfaction with one's current level is a great disadvantage. If a person stops striving for growth, he begins to fall down and, God forbid, may fall even lower.📖 Lubavitcher calendar

For the Hasidim of Chabad, this date has a special significance.3 Tammuz 5687 (1927) began the release of Yosef Yitzhak Schneerson from Soviet imprisonment. For his devotion to the Torah, his preservation of Jewish education, and his struggle for the right of Jews to live Jewish lives, he was sentenced to death. However, the Almighty changed the course of events, and it was on this day that the path to his complete liberation began.Many decades later, 3 Tammuz 5754 (1994), this world was left by Menachem Mendel Schneerson.In the Hasidic tradition, this day is not only a day of remembrance. He reminds us of the words of the sages: “The righteous are called alive even after their death,” because their teachings, their good deeds, and their spiritual influence continue to live among us.3 Tammuz is a day of reflection, Torah study, Tehilim reading, charity, and good decision making. A day when everyone can ask themselves: what can I do today to add more light, goodness and holiness to the world?May the merits of the righteous help us, and their teachings inspire us to follow the path of the Torah and the commandments.