Rabbi Zalmanov's Blog

This Blog consists primarily of articles written by Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov in various publications.
You are welcome to join in the conversation.

Rabbi Zalmanov also records a one-minute weekly video message posted on Facebook and Twitter.

For additional articles by Rabbi Zalmanov click here

Jan 5
3 min

In the face of anti-semitism we must continue to display our Jewishness

Last week brought a slew of new anti-Semitic attacks against Jews in the most visible Jewish part of the country — in and around New York City. Jews that loo...

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Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov

Oct 24, 2019
2 min

Jewish Life Starts After the Holidays

The Jewish new year came upon us in a whirlwind, and at Chabad it was celebrated with many events over the last month—starting with my 40th birthday celebrat...

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Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov

Apr 29, 2019
2 min

Chabad House Shooter Was Fueled By Hate. Our Response At Chabad Will Be Love.

Another act of horrific anti-Semitic barbarism, this time in the Chabad synagogue of Poway, CA on the last day of Passover, six months to the day following t...

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Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov

Feb 7, 2019
2 min

Permanent Memories

Dear Friend, A year ago this week, Chanie and I flew to New York with our son Mendy, where he began putting on tefillin for the first time in preparation for...

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Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov

Dec 6, 2018
3 min

The Hypocrisy of Judaism

In a recent New York Times op-ed, “The Hypocrisy of Hanukkah,” novelist Michael David Lukas described Hanukkah as being a holiday for hypocrites. According t...

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Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov

Nov 3, 2018
4 min

An Unorthodox Secret: How Chabad Fills Pews With Jews

During this year’s High Holidays I observed that nobody at our Chabad House’s Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services was Orthodox. Of course, my family and I ...

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Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov

Sep 6, 2018
2 min

Why Do People Go to High Holiday Services?

Dear Friend, When was the last time someone said that the reason he or she goes to High Holiday services is because of the rabbi’s sermon? I know some of my ...

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Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov

Jul 19, 2018
5 min

Mendy's Bar Mitzvah Speech

Dear Friends, Our son Mendy's bar mitzvah was two and a half months ago and we're still in the process of coming down from the high of celebrating that incre...

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Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov

Jun 14, 2018
2 min

How Long Will Chabad Be Around For?

Dear Friends, Several years ago I was asked to join a review committee for a private foundation that supplies seed money for new Chabad emissaries just start...

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Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov

Apr 29, 2018
2 min

Mazal Tov to Us All!

In recent a conversation with a friend, he mentioned to me, almost boastfully, that his grandfather was very religious. My response was that I hope that my g...

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Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov

Jan 25, 2018
2 min

If Birds Can Fly, Why Can't We?

Sixty-seven years ago this week, in January 1951, the Lubavitcher Rebbe officially took over the leadership of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. It was at a “fa...

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Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov

Aug 31, 2017
2 min

Emotional Week, New Beginnings

An emotional week for sure. And I’m not even talking about the devastating Hurricane Harvey aftermath (but you can read about that here). Our Shayna started...

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Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov

Jul 27, 2017
2 min

Take This Holiday Away, Please

It’s no secret that some Jewish holidays are unfortunately less popular and less observed than others. This can be due to a lack of knowledge and education, ...

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Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov

Jun 22, 2017
3 min

What I Learned From the Rebbe

Countless articles and stories have been written about the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory; about his life, his global impact, his teachings, and his ...

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Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov

May 11, 2017
2 min

The Building That Almost Didn't Happen

By now you probably received the invitation to the Grand Opening of the new Chabad House on June 11. It will be a fun afternoon for everyone and Chanie and I...

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Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov

Apr 6, 2017
2 min

A Birthday Gift

This Friday’s Hebrew date is the 11th of Nissan, and it is the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s birthday. As a child and later as a yeshiva student, every year on this da...

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Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov

Mar 9, 2017
2 min

Greatest Party Ever

Dear Friends, A typical Purim column usually consists of heralding the heroism of Esther and Mordechai, the role they played in standing up for their people ...

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Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov

Feb 3, 2017
2 min

Is it Spring Yet?

The holiday of the 15th of Shevat (AKA Tu B’Shevat), observed this year on February 10-11, is known as the “New Year for Trees.” It is not simply the Jewish ...

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Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov

Jan 26, 2017
2 min

Just Show Up

Dear Friends, I’m writing this at 30,000 feet on my way back from a quick trip to Montreal. The purpose of my trip was to perform the mitzvah of nichum aveil...

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Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov

Dec 22, 2016
2 min

Ridge Road Menorah

Dear Friends, A highlight of our Chanukah is without a doubt erecting the giant 9-foot menorah in front of our house on Ridge Road. The kids always look forw...

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Rabbi Zalmanov's Blog

This Blog consists primarily of articles written by Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov in various publications. You are welcome to join in the conversation.

Rabbi Zalmanov also records a one-minute weekly video message posted on Facebook and Twitter.

For additional articles by Rabbi Zalmanov click here

In the face of anti-semitism we must continue to display our Jewishness

Jewish Life Starts After the Holidays

Chabad House Shooter Was Fueled By Hate. Our Response At Chabad Will Be Love.

Permanent Memories

The Hypocrisy of Judaism

An Unorthodox Secret: How Chabad Fills Pews With Jews

Why Do People Go to High Holiday Services?

Mendy's Bar Mitzvah Speech

How Long Will Chabad Be Around For?

Mazal Tov to Us All!

If Birds Can Fly, Why Can't We?

Emotional Week, New Beginnings

Take This Holiday Away, Please

What I Learned From the Rebbe

The Building That Almost Didn't Happen

A Birthday Gift

Greatest Party Ever

Is it Spring Yet?

Just Show Up

Ridge Road Menorah

This Blog consists primarily of articles written by Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov in various publications.
You are welcome to join in the conversation.