This Shabbos (Bo) is the Shabbos before Yud Shvat. All Chassidim are preparing themselves to be “Mekabel the Nesius and Malchus” of the Rebbe. In this article we will “farbreng” based on the HaYom Yom that the Rebbe personally chose for Yud Shvat.
In the HaYom-Yom of 29 Teves the Rebbe writes: “We are day-laborers.” [In the literature of Chassidus], “day” is a code word for “light” — and, indeed, our Divine task is a mission of light, to illuminate the world with the light of the Torah.
In our Parsha (Shmos), the Torah tells us (2:23): “Now it came to pass in those many days that the king of Egypt died, and the children of Israel sighed from the labor, and they cried out, and their cry ascended to G-d from the labor.”
This Shabbos we read Parshas VaYechi. It is the first Shabbos Chazak of the year and in this parsha the B’nei Yisroel received the Brachos from Yaakov Avinu. There is a famous story brought in HaYom Yom (18 Teves) in connection to Parshas VaYechi
In the HaYom Yom of 14 Teves the Rebbe tells a story about the Shpoler Zeide, who was a man of ardent feelings, more so than the other disciples of the Maggid of Mezritch. When he visited the Alter Rebbe in Liadi, in the year 5569 (1809) or 5570 (1810), he related that when he was three years old and saw the Baal Shem Tov, “he placed his holy hand on my heart, and from that time onward, I have felt warm.” A gesture of a tzaddik, and even more so seeing him or hearing his voice, should generate an effect that will never be forgotten.
This upcoming week we will all be celebrating the Yom Tov of Hey Teves. It is a special day of “Didan Natzach” for the Rebbe and the entire avoda of our generation. This year is the 30th anniversary of the original “hey Teves” victory in 5747, and as Chazal say (Avos 5:22) “שלושים לכח בן – when one turns 30, he attains full strength,” may we use this special day for additional strength in our Hiskashrus and dedication to our Avoda in bringing the Geula.
This Shabbos (VaYeishev) is the Shabbos that leads into the yom tov of Chanuka. Chanuka is the yom tov where we publicize our immense thanks to Hashem for all the miracles that Hashem has done – and continues to do – “בימים ההם בזמן הזה, in those days and in our days.”
This Shabbos (VaYishlach) is the Shabbos before Yud Tes Kislev – the Rosh HaShana of Chassidus. On this auspicious day we wish each other (see HaYom Yom of 18 Kislev) “Gut Yom Tov, L’shana tova b’limud ha’chassidus v’darkei ha’chassidus teichaseivu v’seichaseimu – Good Yom Tov, may you be written and sealed for a good year in learning Chassidus and the ways of Chassidus.”
This Shabbos is Parshas Toldos. The word “Toldos” means children. There is nothing more important to parents than the health, growth and success of their children. Having Yiddishe and Chassidishe nachas is the biggest bracha a parent wishes for. Chazal tell us, “A person is envious of everyone with the exception of his child or student (a spiritual child).” Why we are we not jealous of our children and students even though they might be cleverer or more talented than we are?
In the HaYom Yom of 22 Cheshvan, that fell out on Shabbos Chayei Sara in the year 5704, the Rebbe writes: “One of the teachings of the Maggid of Mezritch, heard by the Alter Rebbe when he was in Mezritch for the first time, from late summer 5524 (1764) until after Pesach 5525 (1765):
“When the Rebbe Rashab (Rabbi Sholom Dovber Schneersohn, the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe) was a little boy of about four or five years of age, he entered the room of his grandfather, the Tzemach Tzedek (Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, the third Lubavitcher Rebbe), and with tears in his eyes he asked his grandfather why Hashem revealed Himself to Avraham but not to us. His grandfather answered him, ‘When a Jew who is a tzaddik decides at the age of 99 to circumcise himself, he deserves that Hashem should reveal Himself to him.’”
January 31, 2017