The Rebbe writes in the HaYom Yom of 27 Av: “Elul is a month of reckoning. Just as a businessman who wants to run his business properly and most profitably must take stock from time to time and correct anything amiss, so too must we act in our spiritual work of Avodas Hashem.
This Shabbos Parshas Eikev is 20 Av, the Yahrtzait of the rav and mekubal Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneersohn, the father of our Rebbe. In his honor we will discuss the HaYom Yom that the Rebbe prepared for 20 Av 5703, one year before the passing of his father.
We are approaching the 15th of Menachem-Av. The Mishna in Meseches Taanis tells us: “Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel said: There were no days more joyous than the 15th of Av (Tu B’Av) and Yom Kippur.”
It has been discussed at length and publicized that this year (5777) is the 50th year anniversary since the Rebbe began Mivtza T’fillin. This is the special campaign in which the Rebbe urges everyone to reach out to as many Yidden as possible to put in T’fillin.
This Shabbos, Matos-Massei, is Shabbos Mevarchim Chodesh Menachem Av. It is critical, especially as we approach the Nine Days, that we farbreng about the Avoda that needs to be done now to bring the Geula and turn the month of Menachem Av into happy and joyous days forever.
This Shabbos, Parshas Pinchas, is the first Shabbos of the Three Weeks. During this time we focus on the Beis HaMikdash. The Rebbe writes in HaYom Yom (21 Tammuz): “It is written: ‘They shall make Me a Sanctuary and I will dwell among them’ — that is, within each and every Jew. For the innermost point of every Jewish heart is a Sanctuary in which G-d can abide. Now, the site of the Beis HaMikdash remains sacred even in the period of exile and desolation. As is written in Shmos Rabba, Chapter 2, ‘Rav Acha declared: The Divine Presence will never depart from the Western Wall.’ The desolation relates to the buildings alone.
L’chaim! Good Yom Tov! May the Z’chus of the Baal HaGeula and Baal Yom Huledes of 12-13 Tammuz, and the ko’ach of Geula that was brought into the world, stand by all of us for all Brachos B’gashmius U’Biruchnius. May we merit the ultimate and complete Geula now!
This Shabbos (Chukas) is the Shabbos before the Yemei HaGeula of 12-13 Tammuz. While these dates are celebrated every year, this year they are of special significance as it is the 90th (5687 – 5777) anniversary of the liberation of the Frierdike Rebbe.
This Shabbos Parshas Korach is Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, the Shabbos before Gimmel Tammuz. The words “Gimmel Tammuz” bring out different emotions in many people, yet I feel that there is something that we all should be asking ourselves: how can we bring about the Hisgalus of the Rebbe?
This Shabbos, Parshas Shlach, is Shabbos Mevarchim Chodesh Tammuz. We all know that “On Shabbos Mevarchim, the members of the Chassidic brotherhood should rise early in the morning and gather in the synagogue to recite the entire Book of T’hillim. Following that, for about an hour, they should study a maamer of Chassidus that everyone can understand, and then [begin the morning] prayers. The farbrengen [held in honor of Shabbos Mevarchim] should be scheduled to suit the conditions of the place in which they live — and may they enjoy success there, both materially and spiritually.” (HaYom Yom 26 Kislev)
The Rebbe writes (HaYom yom 1 Cheshvan): The Rebbe my father told someone at yechidus: Ever since G‑d told our father Avraham, “Go from your land etc.” and it is then written “Avram kept travelling southward,” we have the beginning of the mystery of birurim. By decree of Divine Providence, man goes about his travels to the place where the “sparks” that he must purify await their redemption.
We are now after the Yom Tov of Shavuos, and Chassidim are thinking about 28 Sivan-3 Tammuz and their Hiskashrus to the Rebbe. We all know that “…the true bond is created by studying Torah. When you study my maamarim, read the sichos and associate with those dear to me – the chassidic community and the T’mimim – in their studies and farbrengens, and you fulfill my request regarding saying T’hillim and observing Torah-study times, in this is the bond.” (HaYom Yom 24 Sivan)
We are all preparing for the Yom Tov of Shavuos, when we celebrate the giving of the Torah. It is a very special time, as “Shavuos is an opportune time to achieve everything in improving Torah study and avoda marked by fear of G‑d, and also to strive in t’shuva concerning Torah study, without the interference of the accusing Satan, just like the time of the Shofar sounding on Rosh HaShana and the holy day of the Fast of Yom Kippur.” (HaYom Yom 4 Sivan)
August 15, 2017