Books

Thousands of students were educated by the legendary gaon and mekubal Rabbi Menachem Zev HaLevi Greenglass—affectionately known as "Volf"—throughout his close to seventy years of serving as mashpia in Tomchei Temimim Montreal, the yeshiva he helped establish by direction of the Frierdiker Rebbe.

Born in Lodz, Poland, to Aleksander Chassidim, Reb Volf was attracted at a young age to the derech of Chabad, enrolling in the Tomchei Temimim in Otvotzk. The outbreak of WWII sent him on a remarkable journey through Lithuania, Russia, Japan, and China, until he ultimately arrived in Montreal, Canada.

In Montreal, Reb Volf served as the chief mashpia, mentoring generations of students and even concerning himself with their physical needs. Unassuming and with a cheerful disposition, he was always equipped with a witty response.

Proficient in all areas of Torah, Reb Volf played a crucial role in compiling Sefer Haminhagim and publishing a halachic composition, Likutei Dinim, at the Rebbe’s instruction. Fluent in Kabbalah, he developed a fascinating relationship with contemporary kabbalists, orchestrated by the Rebbe.

Aside from his immense Torah knowledge, Reb Volf was a treasure trove of Chassidic stories, fond of telling them during classes and farbrengens to deliver important messages.

This English volume includes a comprehensive biography of Reb Volf’s life from Poland to Montreal, hundreds of stories and vertlach told by Reb Volf, and his writings and correspondence. Learn More

The Books We Learn.

The Books We Love.

Jews and their books are inseparable. Our sefarim have accompanied us for millennia, offering hope, comfort, and, above all, the infinite wisdom of Torah.

In Great Jewish Classics, Rabbi Moshe Bamberger takes us on a fascinating exploration of some of Judaism's most important and beloved holy books. He shares absorbing and often little-known biographical and historical background, legends, stories, and, of course, a short and readable analysis of the contents of each Jewish classic.

And pictures! So many evocative images: A twelfth-century manuscript of Rambam's Mishneh Torah, including his own handwritten edits; the first edition of the Shnei Luchos Habris of the Shelah HaKadosh; a 1939 postcard from Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzensky to the Chazon Ish; a copy of the Kedushas Levi with a heartrending, handwritten postscript written in the Lodz Ghetto by its owner, who later perished in the Holocaust - here is a stunning collection of images that bring these scholars and their contributions to Klal Yisrael to vivid life.

From Rashi to Rav Chaim Soloveitchik, from the Pnei Yehoshua to Rav Ovadia Yosef, from Torah and Talmud commentaries to collections of halachic responsa and works of mussar - Great Jewish Classics introduces us anew to more than 100 classic Jewish books that have molded and guided our people Learn More

The product of an exhaustive, years-long, worldwide research project, Early Years tells the riveting story of the early life of the man who, as much as anyone else, set the course of Jewish history in the twentieth century.

What was his childhood like? What type of schooling did he receive? Who were his mentors and teachers? When did he first meet his father-in-law and predecessor, and what was the relationship between them like? At what point did the ideas that were to transform the landscape of post-Holocaust Jewry begin to take form in his mind?

These questions and others about the Rebbe’s early life have never been answered comprehensively.

Presenting newly-uncovered government documents, private journals, letters and diaries, Rabbis Boruch Oberlander and Elkanah Shmotkin have produced a highly-engaging account which offers an unimpeded view of the formative years of modern Judaism’s most recognized personality.

Over 450 documents and photographs are beautifully reproduced in full color, illuminating and informing the text. Learn More

"Samarkand" tells the story of the Chassidic underground that operated in the Soviet Union, upholding Judaism during the rule of communist terror. Gripping narrative sweep the reader to distant lands, and paints a picture of mysterious figures in Samarkand's alleys, secret Torah study under the constant threat of arrest by the KGB, and the long and hard fought victory in inspiring Jewish renaissance throughout the Soviet Union. Learn More

This edition of Memoirs has been given a facelift allowing the reader to better appreciate the gems within. Spruced up with new typesetting and subheadings to divide up each chapter, Memoirs has also been cleared of errors and revised for greater clarity. New "relationship trees" have been drawn to help the reader keep track of the many rabbis, students, and family members that people the stories. The sixth Rebbe penned this memoir to introduce us to the origins of Lubavitch, specifically the spiritual journey of Baruch, father of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the first leader of Chabad-Lubavitch. An elegant slipcase rounds out this exceptional set. Learn More

Katif Nine Days in Av Portrait of a struggle Learn More

Aleppo Learn More

Samarkand - סמרקנד

מחתרת סמרקנד שהאירה למרחקים Learn More