Hey Teves. Holy Books.

A container is defined by its contents. Take a carton of milk, for example. If it's empty, you'll say, "Pass the carton." But if it contains even a little milk, you'll say, "Pass the milk."

So too, our home is defined by the most important things inside it. And some of the most important items in our home (aside from those who live there!) are the Torah books lining the shelves and scattered about.

Just one of those holy books, the Lubavitcher Rebbe said, is enough to redefine our entire environment. Our home is now transformed from just another house to a shining source of wisdom.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe urged us to purchase Torah books and display them conspicuously throughout our home. Creating a Torah environment through these Torah books creates a subtle yet constant atmosphere of holiness, inspiring and affecting our Jewish thought and practice and ultimately encouraging us to learn its teachings and enhancing our lives, one book at a time.

Of course, the more books the better. However, the basic minimum of a Chumash (the Five Books of Moses), a Tehilli (Book of Psalms) and a Siddur (Prayer Book) are suggested; and from there, one can expand.

Tomorrow, starting tonight, is the 5th day of Tevet. It is a day of rejoicing in the Chabad-Lubavitch community regarding the ownership of the priceless library of the 6th Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn. The ruling was based on the idea that a Rebbe is not a private individual but a communal figure synonymous with the body of Chassidim.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe urged that the occasion be marked with purchasing and devoting time to study from Torah books.
To make our own home a place where Torah is increased; so, too, increase prayer and also all mitzvos, starting with tzedakah -- good deeds.