The Talmud presents a profound moral dilemma: “If two people are traveling on a desolate path and one holds a jug of water—enough for only one—if both drink, both will die; if only one drinks, he will live.” Rabbi Akiva rules that the one who possesses the water should drink it himself, based on the verse, “And your brother shall live with you” —your own life takes precedence. The first Lubavitcher Rebbe offers a penetrating interpretation: this principle applies only when there is truly “one...

Tomorrow marks the first anniversary of the passing of my father, Rabbi Faivish Vogel, of blessed memory. It is therefore most fitting to draw inspiration from this week’s Torah portion — especially as it was during this very week, back in 1960, that he began his lifelong journey as the Rebbe’s emissary. As one embarks on a journey, it is vital to know the destination. That is why the beginning of the Jewish story, as told in this week’s Torah portion, is so puzzling. G-d says to Abraham: “Go...

Are you truly in control of your life, or are others making your choices for you? How much of what you think, feel, and do is genuinely yours—and how much is shaped by outside influence? One of the deepest frustrations in life is the sense that our choices are being made for us. This feeling clashes with something core to our humanity: the innate desire to be free. In today’s digital world, this struggle is more intense than ever. Algorithms, notifications, and endless streams of content...