REBORN IN THE ERA OF MOSHIACH

Dear Reader sh’yichyeh,

We are still internalizing the lessons and inspiration that we learned and received on Chof-Beis Shvat, the 30th Yahrtzait of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka. One of the main directives that the Rebbe initiated in her honor, on her birthday 25 Adar, was the directive that all Jewish people should celebrate their birthday.

In general, a person’s conduct on their birthday is outlined in the HaYom Yom of 11 Nissan, “On his birthday, one should spend time in seclusion. He should recall his experiences and think deeply into them. He should then repent and correct those (of his past deeds) that need correction and repentance.” But now the Rebbe wants us to make more public celebrations, including a farbrengen and public review of a Maamer, and take upon ourselves public Hachlatos.

In addition to our literal birthday, there was always a concept by chassidim of a “Chassidishe birthday,” which was the day that a chassid first came to his Rebbe. As the Rebbe writes (HaYom Yom 30 Shvat): “Many Chassidim considered the day they arrived in Lubavitch to be their ‘birthday.’ My teacher, R’ Shmuel Betzalel, arrived in Lubavitch the first time on Thursday evening Parshas Mishpatim 5608 (1848). Every year after that, he stayed awake all that night and took pains to put on his t’fillin at the exact time he had entered the Tzemach Tzedek’s chamber for yechidus the first time.”

In the sicha of 12 Sivan 5748, the Rebbe explained this HaYom Yom. Just as by the giving of the Torah, the Jewish people became a new entity, like a convert to Judaism, so too a chassid that comes to his Rebbe becomes a new entity. His bittul to his rebbe, and the directives of his Rebbe, enable him to nullify his previous existence and become elevated to a new level.

The source of this HaYom Yom is a fascinating letter (Igros vol. 3 pg. 400) that the Frierdike Rebbe wrote to his son-in-law, our Rebbe. At that time, the Rebbe was in charge of the chassidic periodical called HaTamim. The Rebbe, seemingly from the letter, sent the Frierdike Rebbe a story that was prepared for print. 

The Frierdike Rebbe writes back that in general there are 4 levels of chassidic storytelling: 1) A story that one saw himself or personally heard from his Rebbe. 2) A story that one heard from the person that the story happened with. 3) A story that one hears from someone who is reliable. 4) A story that has been “added to” but is still basically correct. 

The Frierdike Rebbe then says that the story that was sent to him, was so changed from its’ original source, that it did not fit in any of the above-mentioned categories. He then explains to our Rebbe how he himself developed a passion for Chassidic stories and history and how he would make sure to always hang-around with the Chassidim that visited Lubavitch and ask them to repeat and share the stories that they had heard or witnessed. He then explains that there were many Chassidim who had a set time when they would come to Lubavitch each year and they would call themselves “A Rosh HaShana Chassid” or “A Shavuos Chassid” etc. 

He then tells about how chassidim felt about their first time they came to Lubavitch, to the Rebbe, and their first yechidus. He writes the story of the Rashbatz, mentioned above, and about the first yechidus of the famous Chassid R’ Chanoch Hendel Kugel, better known (as was then common) by the name of his hometown, Kurnitz, as R’ Hendel Kurnitzer. He was one of the elder chassidim chosen by the Rebbe Rashab to teach his young son and future successor, the Frierdike Rebbe.

Reb Chanoch Hendel came to Lubavitch on Thursday, 5 Elul 5603. His first Yechidus by the Tzemach Tzedek was 8 days later, “a bris takes place on the 8th day,” on the 13th of Elul. He would always say over (HaYom Yom 13 Elul): “It was well known among chassidim that their first yechidus removed the foreskin [of the heart]. Whatever else might happen, one was immediately rid of the heart’s foreskin.” 

There are many that learn this HaYom Yom about the Rashbatz and have a question: Why would he always “celebrate” on the day of the week that he entered into yechidus and not the day of the month?

While I don’t know the “real” answer, an explanation of the Rebbeim or elder Chassidim, we might say: We find another Yom Tov which is celebrated on the day of the week and not the day of the month: Shabbos HaGadol. It is always on Shabbos, not the 10^th of Nissan when the miracle first happened.

The simple reason given is that, forty years later, Miriam died on that day and the well which accompanied the Children of Israel and provided them with water in the wilderness, disappeared. When the anniversary of Miriam’s death falls on a weekday, some observe it as a fast for the righteous.

In Likkutei Sichos (vol. 27 pg. 44), the Rebbe explains this concept on a much deeper level: The primary event commemorated on this Shabbos is a great miracle which occurred on this day, several days before the Exodus. The Jewish people were commanded by Moshe to take a lamb and tie it to their bedposts on Shabbos, the 10th day of Nissan, five days before they were to leave Egypt. When the Egyptians inquired by the Jews why they were buying lambs en masse, they were told that these lambs were intended for the Paschal Offering, which would be sacrificed in preparation of the Plague of the Firstborn. This information obviously rattled the Egyptian firstborn, who immediately insisted that Pharaoh grant the Jews the liberty they demanded. 

When Pharaoh refused their request, the Egyptian firstborn waged war with Pharaoh’s army, and many Egyptians who were guilty of atrocities against the Jews were killed on that day. Being that it was a day that “nature” recognized Hashem, we celebrate it on the day of the week. The days of the week, as opposed to the month, represent nature.

Chassidus Chabad is all about that our mind should understand G-dliness and it should permeate our being. The Rebbe writes (19 Adar 2): R’ Moshe Maizlish once related: “The [Alter] Rebbe taught us that the starting-point of Chassidus is the utilization of one’s natural inclinations in his avoda And the beginning of avoda is the utilization of the innate nature of one’s faculties; for example, the mind’s innate ability to rule over the heart.” 

Hence a Chassid Chabad connects his birthday to the day of the week.

In the spirit of this “farbrengen,” perhaps we can add: Seemingly, why did the Rebbe start this new campaign only in 5748, after the passing of the Rebbetzin? Perhaps we can answer as follows: In the famous sicha of 22 Shvat 5752, the Rebbe explains that after 22 Shvat we have entered “a new stage,” an era that is focused on bringing Moshiach.

In the words of the Rebbe (Besuras HaGeula 65): …The tenth day of the eleventh month is connected with and completes the Divine service of purifying the last “remnants” of exile, “polishing the buttons.”…The day afterwards, the eleventh day of the eleventh month, signifies that in addition to and after the Divine service of the tenth day of the eleventh month, one has achieved and been elevated (according to the principle, “elevate in holiness”) to the revelation of the eleventh (day) as well… One comes afterward to yet a higher level. After the Divine service of all the purifications has already been completed, and we have already also “polished the buttons,” etc., we need only stand ready to receive our righteous Moshiach. This is the perfection of eleven (completely incomparable to ten)… as alluded to in 22 Shvat – eleven doubled. …After the 22nd of Shvat (the day of passing of his daughter), the last stage in preparing the world (as a dwelling place for G-d here below) for the Redemption has been accomplished. The completion of this matter comes through and in the merit of the wives and daughters of Israel.

As we enter this new era, as with any new era, we need to be “reborn.” Every change is difficult and demands tremendous bittul. We need to put aside our previous focus and understanding of service and hiskashrus and focus on the new mission at hand. We need to renew and strengthen our bittul and hiskashrus and give ourselves over to what the Rebbe wants from us now. 

Just as when a chassid “comes to Lubavitch,” he realizes that it is a new “birthday” and a whole new path of Avoda has been opened for him, the same is true of our entire generation. We must realize that we have entered a new era and all have a new “birthday.” L’chaim!

Rabbi Avtzon is the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Lubavitch Cincinnati and a well sought after speaker and lecturer. Recordings of his in-depth shiurim on Inyanei Geula u’Moshiach can be accessed at http://www.ylcrecording.com