The Language of Truth
שפת אמת
The Sfas Emes Online Library
The complete Torah of Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter of Ger (1847-1905): 5,125 essays on every parsha and festival, translated into clear, faithful English.
This Week
Chayei Sarah
חיי שרהSarah dies at the age of 127, and Abraham purchases the Cave of Machpelah in Hebron from Ephron the Hittite to bury her. He then sends his trusted servant back to his homeland to find a wife for Isaac. At the well, the servant prays for a sign, and Rebecca appears, drawing water for him and his camels; her family consents, and she returns to become Isaac's wife. Abraham takes another wife, Keturah, fathers more children, and dies at 175, buried by Isaac and Ishmael alongside Sarah.
- Wholeness of one's days
- Daily renewal and illumination
- Servant and son in avodah
- Faithful service turns curse to blessing
- Binding time, place, and soul
- The blessing of bakol
Must-read teachings
- 1Wholeness through daily renewal of inner lightתרל"ב
- 2Tzaddikim elevate time, nature, and soulsתרמ"ט
- 3Wholeness through clinging to the rootתרנ"ו
- 4Binding every realm to its heavenly rootתרנ"ד
- 5Making lasting ascents and a place for the Shechinahתרנ"ב
- 6Serving Hashem as servant and sonתרנ"ד
- 7The wise servant who escapes the curse through serviceתרמ"ט
- 8The days of tzaddikim unify both worldsתרס"א - תרס"ב
The Weekly Essay
One essay on the parsha, every Thursday
The heart of the week's Sfas Emes, in clear English - free, in your inbox before Shabbos.
Want to save your place? Create a free account for bookmarks, notes, and continue-learning.
Chamishah Chumshei Torah
The Five Books
Moadim & Special Shabbosos
The Jewish Year
About the Work
The Language of Truth
The Sfas Emes - “the Language of Truth” - is among the most beloved works of Chassidic thought ever written. Composed over thirty-five years of Shabbos and Yom Tov teachings, it weaves Midrash, Zohar, and the teachings of the Kotzker and Chiddushei HaRim into a sustained meditation on finding the inner point of holiness within everything. Each essay here presents the original Hebrew alongside a clear English translation and explanation.
About the Sfas Emes →שפת
אמת
תכון
לעד
“Truthful speech is established forever” - Mishlei 12:19