Torah Or/Likutei Torah

For the kabbalistic work of the same name, see Likkutei Torah (Arizal).

Title page of Torah Ohr, 5776 (2016) edition

Title page of Likkutei Torah, 5776 (2016) edition

Title page of the first printing of Likkutei Torah, 5608 (1848)

Torah Ohr (Hebrew: תורה אור, lit. "The Torah is Light") and Likkutei Torah (Hebrew: לקוטי תורה, lit. "Gleanings of Torah") together form two of the foundational works of Chabad Chassidus. They contain hundreds of maamarim — Chassidic discourses — by the founder of Chabad, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the Alter Rebbe, on the weekly Torah portions, the Jewish festivals, Megillas Esther, and Shir HaShirim (the Song of Songs). The works were published in two volumes under separate titles: the first, covering the books of Bereishis and Shemos, appeared as Torah Ohr; the second, covering Vayikra, Bamidbar, and Devarim, as Likkutei Torah. Both volumes were edited and brought to press by the Alter Rebbe's grandson, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, the Tzemach Tzedek.

The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, returned to these works repeatedly throughout his leadership, urging their study and teaching that doing so hastens the coming of Moshiach.

The Books

In a letter written on the day of the first printing, the Tzemach Tzedek describes Torah Ohr as containing discourses "the majority of which were delivered between the years 5556 (1795–96) and 5572 (1811–12), many of which our Rebbe himself reviewed and corrected, and whose publication he approved."

In practice, only the first volume was completed in that initial printing — the second was held back due to a government closure of several Jewish printing houses in Russia, among them the press in Kapust, following an act of denunciation. The second volume finally appeared in 5608 (1848) under the title Likkutei Torah, printed in Zhitomir.

Torah Ohr contains discourses on the portions of Bereishis and Shemos, along with discourses on the festivals that fall during those portions. Likkutei Torah covers Vayikra, Bamidbar, Devarim, and the remaining festivals.

Both volumes include indices, annotations, and references prepared by the Rebbe. Of the indices he remarked — in Yiddish — that they "will illuminate the entire Likkutei Torah."

Editions of Torah Ohr

• 5597 (1837) — First edition, printed in Kapust on 3 Shevat, under the editorship of the Tzemach Tzedek.
• 5622 (1862) — Printed in Zhitomir, with additional discourses appended in a supplement at the end of the volume.
• 5629 (1869) — Printed in Vilna.
• Shortly before World War II — Printed in Warsaw. It is unclear whether any copies survived.
• 5708 (1948) — The Rebbe, acting on the instructions of his father-in-law the Frierdiker Rebbe (the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn), reprinted the book in a photographic reproduction of the Vilna 5629 edition, through the European branch of Kehot Publication Society. At the end of the volume he added notes copied in his own hand from the personal copy of the Rebbe Rashab, Rabbi Shalom DovBer Schneersohn, which contained marginal annotations in the Rebbe Rashab's own handwriting.
• 5715 (1955) — A new edition published by Kehot in New York, photographically reproduced from the Zhitomir 5622 edition. Numerous supplements were added, including letters from the Chabad Rebbes regarding the book, indices, annotations and references, and a list of the book's print history. The supplements were edited by the Rebbe.
• 5732 (1972) — Printed by Kehot; the first edition to include source references (maarei mekomos).
• 5751 (1991) — Printed by Kehot, newly typeset for the first time in square script, in accordance with the Rebbe's instruction. Corrections from the Rebbe Rashab and the Rebbe were incorporated, along with source references. Reprinted in 5752 (1991–92).
• 5776 (2016) — Printed by Kehot, with all of the Rebbe's corrections incorporated directly into the body of the text; corrections of a tentative nature were recorded in the margins of the relevant page. The supplements were also newly typeset, with source references to the works of the Chabad Rebbes added.
• 5782 (2021–22) — Printed by Kehot, based on the 5776 edition.

As of 5786 (2025–26), twenty editions have been printed.

Editions of Likkutei Torah

• 5608 (1848) — First edition, printed in Zhitomir.
• 5638, 5645, 5664, 5688 (1878, 1885, 1904, 1928) — Additional printings in Vilna.
• 5708 (1948) — The Rebbe, acting on the instructions of the Frierdiker Rebbe, reprinted the book in a photographic reproduction of the Vilna 5664 edition, through the European branch of Kehot. At the end of the volume he added notes copied in his own hand from the Rebbe Rashab's personal annotated copy.
• 5725 (1965) — A new edition in which all corrections recorded in the correction tables of previous editions were incorporated into the text for the first time. Numerous supplements were also added: letters from the Chabad Rebbes regarding the book, indices, annotations, references, and source references. Part of the supplements were edited by the Rebbe.

The edition was expensive to produce, and the Rebbe raised funds from "ten individuals and institutions who have particular reason to merit the privilege of precedence in this merit." In his letters to these donors the Rebbe named the amounts he hoped to receive, while making clear: "We are not pressing you, and the choice is entirely yours — but if you agree, you will need to contribute the sum of 2,500 Israeli pounds, and in return you will be able to print your dedication in one hundred copies in whatever wording you choose, and you will receive that many copies gratis."

Those who contributed received the completed book from the Rebbe with a personal dedication in his own handwriting: "With a blessing for the arousal of hearts to the service of G-d in all its dimensions, and especially — in the spreading of the wellsprings, and from a place of light and joy in both material and spiritual matters." The Rebbe also honored the donors in a public talk at the Purim farbrengen that year.

In a letter accompanying the copy sent to Zalman Shazar, the Rebbe reflected on his editorial decisions, writing that he had experienced many hesitations and doubts before acting on his own initiative to alter what had come from the hands of the Chabad Rebbes, and that he had leaned on the permission and encouragement he had received from the Frierdiker Rebbe regarding the publication of other Chassidic works in that manner.

In the wake of this edition, the Rebbe began urging repeatedly that the discourses of Likkutei Torah relating to the weekly portion — which he termed the Chassidishe Parsha (the Chassidic portion) — be studied every Shabbos.

• 5744 (1984) — A new edition with extensive additions: the Rebbe's corrections and annotations, numerous source references, a chronological listing of the discourses, a print history, and more. The edition was prepared by Rabbi Aharon Chitrik.

The Rebbe received this printing with great celebration. At the Shabbos farbrengen he devoted several talks to the significance of the new edition and to Likkutei Torah in general, and sent a bottle of mashke (spirits) for a special farbrengen to be held in its honor.

The book was reprinted in 5747 (1986–87).

• 5758 (1998) — A new edition in which the entire text was proofread against the Tzemach Tzedek's original manuscript, with numerous source references and a list of abbreviations added. This edition drew criticism for appearing in two volumes, contrary to the Rebbe's instruction on the matter.Template:Citation needed From 5759 (1998–99) onward it was printed as a single volume.
• 5761 (2001) — A new edition in square script, in accordance with the Rebbe's instruction, proofread against the manuscripts.
• 5776 (2016) — A new edition, issued in two versions.
• 5781 (2020–21) — Reprinted by Kehot.

In addition, the Kfar Chabad branch of Kehot printed Likkutei Torah in 5725, 5733, 5736, 5739, and 5746 (1965, 1973, 1976, 1979, and 1986).

As of 5786 (2025–26), twenty-two editions have been printed.

Notes and References

In 5725 (1965), in preparation for the new edition, the Rebbe assigned his secretary Rabbi Leibel Groner the task of compiling an expanded set of notes and references for Likkutei Torah. The Rebbe allotted one week for the work. Rabbi Groner secluded himself and devoted himself entirely to the task, leaving his other secretarial responsibilities to his colleagues.

On Friday he submitted what he had managed to gather. When he brought additional notes after Shabbos, the Rebbe remarked that although one week had been the agreed timeframe, since he had brought more — it would be included.

At the Rebbe's direction, Rabbi Groner's name was printed on the first page of the notes and references section.

Selected Discourses

Kehot Publication Society has published a booklet titled Maamarim Melukotim ("Selected Discourses") — a compilation originally assembled by the mashpi'im (Chassidic mentors) of Tomchei Temimim — gathering a sequence of foundational discourses from the book for use by students of Tomchei Temimim yeshivos worldwide. There is an opinion that the compiler was the mashpia Rabbi Shlomo Chaim Kesselman. The booklet was printed in 5753 (1992–93), 5777 (2016–17), and 5782 (2021–22).

Commentaries

On Both Works

• Chassidus Mevueres — An ongoing series collecting select discourses with explanatory commentary. The general editor is Rabbi Mendel Wachter.
• Torah Ohr v'Likkutei Torah HaMevuar — Five volumes, each presenting one discourse per Torah portion. A second series on the parshios is underway; the volume on Bereishis appeared in 5785 (2024–25), along with volumes on the High Holidays and Sukkos/Shemini Atzeres, and on Chanukah, Purim, and the four special Shabbosos. Edited by Rabbis Levi Gerlitzky, Moshe Gourarie, Chaim Zaks, and Moshe Link, published by the institutes Le'avdecha Be'emes and Maayanosecha.
• Biurei HaRav Adin Even-Yisrael (Steinsaltz) — In 5784 (2023–24), the first volume (on Bereishis) appeared from Steinsaltz Center and Maayanosecha, based on the recorded classes of Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz; subsequent volumes on Shemos and the festivals have since appeared. A new discourse is prepared each week from those recordings and made available — along with the original audio — on the Yeshivas Tekoa/Steinsaltz Center website.

On Likkutei Torah

• She'eilos u'Teshuvos b'Maamarei Likkutei Torah — A commentary structured as questions and answers, designed to aid review and retention of the discourses. Compiled by Rabbi Tovia Litzman.

Studying the Books

The Rebbe referred to Torah Ohr and Likkutei Torah as "the Oral Torah of Chassidus." The discourses in these works corresponding to each week's Torah portion he called the Chassidishe Parsha — the Chassidic portion.

The Rebbe repeatedly instructed "that every single person study each week all the discourses in Likkutei Torah relating to the weekly Torah portion." He also mentioned a custom among Chassidim of learning a portion of the Chassidic discourses on the parsha together with their sons from the age of bar mitzvah — and even younger — at least superficially.

On Shabbos Parshas Vayakhel 5725 (1965), following the appearance of the new edition of Likkutei Torah, the Rebbe called on Chassidim to study the entire Chassidishe Parsha — the discourses from Likkutei Torah and Torah Ohr relating to the weekly portion — every Shabbos. He returned to the theme at several subsequent farbrengens and asked those who had already taken up the practice to say L'chaim.

Around the same time the Rebbe personally encouraged numerous individuals on the study of Likkutei Torah. In one instance, he added a note in the margin of a birthday letter to Rabbi Shalom Feldman: "Do you complete the Likkutei Torah portion of the week every Shabbos?" To a yeshiva student who mentioned in a private audience (yechidus) that he found it difficult to study all the discourses of the week's parsha in depth, the Rebbe replied that he should first read through the entire parsha rapidly (legirsa), and afterward study in depth (le'iyuna) at least the opening section of one discourse — since it contains the essence of the entire maamar — and continue with the rest as much as he is able.

To someone who complained about difficult passages in Torah Ohr, the Rebbe wrote that even difficult material should be studied at least superficially — and if even a superficial reading is hard to follow, one should at minimum recite the words aloud. To someone who wrote that he could not finish all the discourses of the weekly parsha in Likkutei Torah, the Rebbe instructed him to continue in sequence and not skip ahead to the following week's portion — so that the gap would spur him to catch up.

In 5752 (1991–92) the Rebbe reiterated the instruction and added that through this practice one hastens the true and complete Redemption.

In 5781 (2020–21), Rabbi Dovid Prakes, through the Hishtadlus HaChassidim organization, produced a daily study schedule designed to fulfill the Rebbe's instruction by completing all of Likkutei Torah and Torah Ohr over the course of a year.

Further Reading

• Rabbi Eliyahu Matusof, "Studies in the Editing of Torah Ohr," Pardes Chabad, no. 9, p. 49
• "The Light Within Torah Ohr," supplement to B'Machaneh Tzivos Hashem, 5 Shevat 5780, p. 6

External Links

Torah Ohr

• Full text of Torah Ohr (Hebrew)
• Torah Ohr in PDF at HebrewBooks
• Torah Ohr, Kehot 5776 edition — read and download
• Indices and annotations to Torah Ohr, edited by the Rebbe
• Torah Ohr — vocalized, punctuated, annotated, with abbreviations expanded
• Alphabetical index of discourses in Torah Ohr and Likkutei Torah
• Topical index (compiled by the Rebbe, newly arranged) by page order

Likkutei Torah

• Likkutei Torah at HebrewBooks
• Full text of Likkutei Torah (Hebrew)
• Likkutei Torah, Kehot 5776 edition — read and download
• Maamarim Melukotim from Likkutei Torah, Kehot 5777 edition — read and download
• Likkutei Torah — vocalized, punctuated, annotated, with abbreviations expanded
• The Rebbe's calls to study Likkutei Torah — a survey in Hatamim: Part One • Part Two
• Resource collection for the new Likkutei Torah cycle (English)
• Topical index (compiled by the Rebbe, newly arranged) by page order