By Menachem Ziegelboim
"Gutt Yom Tov! Gutt Yom Tov!" happy voices called out
in the hall of the yeshiva gedola in Lubavitch the night of Rosh
HaShana L’Chassidus 5662 (1901), that year a Friday night. Candles were lit
and tables were royally set, just as eyes shone and hearts raced, for this was a
special holiday for Chabad chassidim, a holiday for Toras HaChassidus
- actually a holiday for all of Creation.
The joy reached the heavens, but not many know that this joy
was almost eradicated…
* * *
Kislev, the Month of Holidays and the Month of Geula.
Chassidim look forward to the Festivals of the Liberation of the Alter Rebbe
and the Mitteler Rebbe. Yud-Tes Kislev was always celebrated in the great hall
of the yeshiva in Lubavitch with great pomp and joy, the Rebbe Rashab
farbrenging at the head of the table. Aside from hundreds of T’mimim
who learned in the yeshiva, hundreds of chassidim and baalei
battim came to participate in this farbrengen with the Rebbe Rashab.
How magnificent was the Rebbe! His face shone with a G-dly
light, a light of joy, radiating from his pure face. The Rebbe said a maamer
chassidus and many sichos kodesh, which the heart and neshama
enjoyed. Gashmius was not lacking, but who paid attention to
trivialities?
In Kislev 5662, enemies of the Jews in Russia raised their
heads and began persecuting Jews. The pretext: allegations that the chassid
R’ Mendel Horenstein, brother-in-law of the Rebbe Rashab, burned down his own
factory in order to damage merchandise belonging to a gentile. The charge was
baseless, yet R’ Mendel was imprisoned to await trial.
The Rebbe Rashab suffered greatly. "A heavy cloud rested upon
my father’s face," related the Rebbe Rayatz. On 5 Kislev, the Rebbe suddenly
left Lubavitch for Moscow on R’ Mendel’s behalf, hiring a top lawyer in an
attempt to obtain R’ Mendel’s release.
The trip was sudden and unexpected. Everyone thought the
Rebbe would return in time for Yud-Tes Kislev, but as days passed, the
chassidim and T’mimim began to doubt whether this would indeed be so.
Doubt became certainty following a committee meeting of
T’mimim with the Rebbe Rayatz, menahel of the yeshiva,
officially informing them of the improbability of his father’s celebration with
the yeshiva. The menahel told the talmidim to celebrate on
Yud-Tes Kislev as they did every year: students of the yeshiva gavoha and
yeshiva ketana would eat together with the mashpiim, mashgichim,
roshei yeshiva, magidei shiurim, and even those who worked in the yeshiva
offices. Moreover, to add to the celebration, this seuda was set to take
place in the spacious yeshiva hall, as opposed to the yeshiva
dining room where the students usually ate.
However, when the committee, composed of the oldest and most
serious bachurim in the yeshiva, heard what the Rebbe Rayatz had
said, they were stunned. They all yearned to be with the Rebbe Rashab at this
farbrengen, to see him and to hear every word he uttered, and now… it simply
wasn’t going to happen.
For the rest of the week preceding Yud-Tes Kislev,
preparations went on as usual with the hope and faith that perhaps the Rebbe
would return to Lubavitch after all. A special committee of bachurim was
established to organize the farbrengens and festivities. Many guests
streamed to Lubavitch for the big day, among them famous ziknei ha’chassidim,
such as R’ Dovid Tzvi Chein from Chernigov (the Radatz), and the outstanding
chassid Rav Dov Zev Koznikov, the rav of Yekaterinaslav. People were
full of anticipation, for who knew? Just maybe…
The yeshiva’s hanhala convened to discuss the
upcoming event, deciding that although the Rebbe wouldn’t be there, everything
would carry on as usual. The mashpiim also agreed that the T’mimim
from other cities, who had already received permission to come to Lubavitch for
Yud-Tes Kislev to be with the Rebbe, should still come.
Thursday, the 17th of Kislev. The grand farbrengen
would be taking place the following evening. Although little time remained,
chassidim still hoped the Rebbe would make a last-minute appearance, but as
time passed, "the cloud of gloom intensified," as the Rebbe Rayatz put it.
At 8:00 a.m., the two great chassidim, the Radatz and
the rav of Yekaterinaslav, met and discussed the possibility of asking
the Rebbe to come back especially for Yud-Tes Kislev, and whether all the
talmidim could go to him. In the evening they went to Rebbetzin Rivka, the
Rebbe Rashab’s mother, with the request that she ask the Rebbe to come to
Lubavitch even for one day.
The Rebbetzin answered, "I am certain that if he could come,
he would certainly do so." Then she added, "I cannot ask of him something which
his holy daas doesn’t agree with." The two chassidim left her,
heavyhearted.
* * *
At 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, the mailman knocked on the office
door of Yeshivas Tomchei T’mimim and delivered a letter. The Rebbe Rayatz opened
the door and saw it was a letter from his father. This was a fundamental letter
explaining the significance of Yud-Tes Kislev. It had been written especially
for the grand farbrengen that would take place the next night, as a
substitute for the Rebbe Rashab’s presence.
The Rebbe Rayatz rejoiced. He rushed to the hall of the
yeshiva gedola, went up to the podium, and amidst the mashgichim and
mashpiim he joyfully announced: "We have just merited to receive a holy
letter from my holy father, my teacher and Rebbe. The letter explains the
significance of the upcoming holy day. With Hashem’s help, tomorrow at the
farbrengen, the letter will be read to everyone."
Many of the bachurim were uplifted and the heavy
spirit was somewhat alleviated, even as they understood that a letter could not
replace the Rebbe himself.
In the meantime, the members of the committee worked around
the clock to ensure that all was prepared before Shabbos. The yeshiva’s
hall was washed and decorated. Long tables and hundreds of chairs were arranged.
Beautiful vessels were brought from the home of the Rebbe Rashab and placed on
the tables.
Many talmidim worked for hours setting up candles on
the walls. Rows upon rows of candles were arranged. 1,668 candles were set up to
correspond to the words "Chag Rabbeinu ha’gadol v’ha’kadosh nishmaso Eden."
The hall was flooded with light, a marvelous sight to behold.
On the notice board of the yeshiva was hung a sign
with the day’s order of events:
THE PROGRAM FOR THE GRAND CELEBRATION
The Chagiga on Motzaei Shabbos [In Kerem Chabad,
it states that the main celebration was on Motzaei Shabbos, whereas in most
sources it appears that it took place on Friday night. Possibly the celebration
was held on both nights, as seemingly indicated in the writings of the Rebbe
Rayatz.]
Maariv is 5:00 in the heichal beis ha’t’filla.
At 5:30 the large hall will be opened and all are invited to
enter.
Hot drinks.
The menahel [Rebbe Rayatz] will read the letter from the
Rebbe and founder, which discusses the significance of the day.
At 6:30 the gaon from Yekat[erinaslav] will read the letter "Katonti"
in Tanya, and ten students from the yeshiva will distribute to each visitor a
volume of Tanya to follow along in while listening. All this will take a half an
hour. (Everybody is asked to sit in their places and not disturb the program.)
At 8:00, drinks and l’chaim and refreshments and niggunim,
until 9:00.
From 9:00 until 10:00 - break.
Seuda from 10 until 1:00 a.m., and until 3:00, singing and
dancing.
The door is open to all who wish to attend, but the honored
kahal is requested to follow the instructions of the house staff and of those
appointed to keep order.
* * *
The Shabbos Queen spread her wings over Lubavitch. It seemed
as though not only an extra neshama had descended upon the hundreds of
talmidim and guests, but a double and redoubled neshama - double for
Shabbos and redoubled for the Chag HaChagim, Yud-Tes Kislev.
Everyone gathered in the yeshiva. There is no better
way to begin this holy day than by learning chassidus. Hundreds of
talmidim sat and learned. The sound of Torah echoed loudly, extending beyond
the windows of the zal.
After an hour and a half of learning, the gabbai
announced a break for Kabbalas Shabbos. When davening was over,
the gabbai announced that the Rebbe’s letter would be read.
With measured steps, the Rebbe Rayatz walked over to the
podium with the two mashgichim (of the sidrei chassidus and
sidrei nigleh) at his right and his left. The sight was reminiscent of the
Rebbe’s t’kias shofar, when the Rebbe stood at the lectern surrounded by
chassidim. All rose, as is befitting for chassidim who are being
addressed by their Rebbe.
The tension was palpable and the inner joy was boundless.
Silence reigned as the only sound heard was the rustling of the letter. The
Rebbe Rayatz began reading aloud. Each word was golden, each letter a sparkling
jewel. "My children, sh’yichyu," he began, and the loving voice of the
father could be heard throughout the hall.
B"H. Yom Dalet, 16 Kislev 5662 Moscow
My sons, gather together on Yud-Tes Kislev, which comes upon
us for good - those who learn, their leaders and their teachers and their
mashgichim - and rejoice with the joy of the holiday which redeemed our
souls in peace, and the light and life of our souls was given to us. This day is
the Rosh HaShana for chassidus that our holy fathers bequeathed to us,
and this is the Torah of the Baal Shem Tov, z’l.
This day is the beginning of Your work, the completion of the
true intention of the creation of man on earth, to further draw down the
revelation of the inner light of our holy Torah, which was drawn down on this
day in a general way for the entire year. We must arouse our hearts on this day
with desire, and inner, essential will with the true [innermost] point of our
hearts, which will illuminate our souls with the light of the inner part of His
Torah.
From the depths I call out to You, Hashem, to draw the aspect
of the depth and pnimiyus of Toras Hashem and the mitzvos
of Hashem from the aspect of the innermost and essential Ohr Ein Sof Boruch
Hu, so that it illumine the inner part of our souls, so that our entire
essence (i.e., our entire beings, the essence and its expressions, etc.) will be
[directed] to Him, blessed is He, alone - so that He banish from us every evil
and disgusting trait of the natural traits, so that all our deeds and affairs
(whether in avoda, i.e., t’filla, Torah and mitzvos, or in
matters of the world which are necessary to sustain the body) are in accordance
with the true intention, for the sake of Heaven, as per the desire of Hashem,
etc. May Hashem, Father of Mercy, have mercy on us and enliven us in the proper
and straight path; forthwith they shall see His countenance, etc.
Concluding the reading, all the students sat and began
singing an old chassidic tune, a tune that pierced the heart and reached
to the neshama. The niggun poured forth sweetly, emanating from
the hundreds of students in unison.
It turned out that it was at this farbrengen that the
chassidim first merited to hear the unique appellation with which the
Rebbe Rashab termed Yud-Tes Kislev in his holy letter, calling it "Rosh
HaShana L’Chassidus,"as it has been known ever since.
At 6:45 p.m., R’ Dov Zev rose to relate the story of the
arrest and geula. In vivid tones he described the pain experienced by the
chassidim when the Alter Rebbe was taken from them - the agony, the
sorrow, the tears. He recounted the entire story up until the release of the
Alter Rebbe from jail. He described the chassidim somersaulting in the
snowy streets of Petersburg, and the tremendous joy they all experienced.
At this point R’ Dov Zev took a Tanya and began
reading the famous letter the Alter Rebbe wrote entitled "Katonti." The
talmidim leaned over the volumes of Tanya in front of them,
reading the holy letters, learning from the teachings of the Baal HaGeula.
All listened in utter silence. The only sound that could be heard was the
sputtering of thousands of candles.
When the reading was concluded, an old chassid by the
name of R’ Shmuel Betzalel (the Rashbatz) stood up. He had seen many Yud-Tes
Kislevs in his time, but this was the first time he heard the wondrous phrase
the Rebbe Rashab wrote designating this day as "Rosh HaShana L’Chassidus,"
elevating it over other holidays.
The Rashbatz raised a cup for l’chaim and his voice
shook with emotion. The talmidim gazed upon him, always in awe, for he
had merited to see the Tzemach Tzedek.
"Our day of celebration is extremely lofty," the Rashbatz
began. "If not for this day, the day of redemption and freedom of our great and
holy Rebbe, we wouldn’t know Hashem, Who gave the Torah, for Rabbeinu
HaKadosh taught us to know Hashem, our Maker. We ought to rejoice on this
day of light, and included in this are the words of our luminary the Rebbe
shlita, that this day is the Rosh HaShana for chassidus and the day
of revelation of pnimiyus ha’Torah. We must offer thanks and praise to
Hashem, who did not deprive us of descendants of Rabbeinu HaGadol, the
Alter Rebbe.
"T’mimim! We have the Rebbe, who stands and serves
before Hashem to teach knowledge of Torah and Hashem, Who gave the Torah - our
Nasi and teacher, the crown of our glory, who shows us wonders like in the days
of the Alter Rebbe, to return the heart of beloved children to their Father in
Heaven. I raise my cup to the life of our Rebbe, and with all the strength of my
soul I call out: "Yechi Rabbeinu l’olam! May Hashem bolster his strength
and power to carry the tower of light to illuminate the earth and its
inhabitants upon it, until the coming of Moshiach!"
A resounding voice could be heard from one end of the hall to
the other: "Amen! Amen! Yechi Rabbeinu L’olam! May the members of Tomchei
T’mimim and all its administrators live forever!"
These were special moments, not just for the younger
chassidim, but also for the older chassidim who sat at the head of
the main table. They all raised cups for l’chaim and wished each other
heartfelt brachos for the new year, the new year for chassidus for
all the Jewish people, for good and blessing.
After a brief break, the meal began, which continued until
2:00 a.m. It was a royal feast fitting for the Holiday of Holidays, Yud-Tes
Kislev. At the end of the meal, all danced, and Lubavitch was "ora v’simcha
v’sason v’yikar."
At 3:00 a.m., the Rebbe Rayatz rose and blessed all present,
and with great love he left the guests and talmidim. He turned to leave,
the talmidim preceding him, all of whom stood in the doorway of the
building in two long, straight rows. When he left they began singing, "Ki
b’simcha tzeitzeiu u’v’shalom tuvalun," and they accompanied the Rebbe
Rayatz to his home.
"All the invited guests took enormous pleasure from the
splendid celebration, and their hearts rejoiced and expanded… The talmidim
were positively affected by this celebration, for they were brought close to
avodas Hashem, and they increased their diligence in Torah with faith and
sincerity."
These lines concluded the account of Rabbi Moshe Rosenblum,
secretary to the Rebbe Rayatz.
* * *
Since the great revelation of Kislev 5662, the chassidim
began calling Yud-Tes Kislev "Rosh HaShana L’Chassidus." In later years
the traditional phrase became "Gutt Yom Tov. L’shana tova b’limud
ha’chassidus u’b’darkei ha’chassidus tikaseivu v’seichaseimu." The HaYom
Yom begins and ends with Yud-Tes Kislev, as the Rebbe Rayatz wrote, "based
on the holy letter of the Rebbe about the Chag HaChagim, which is the
Rosh HaShana l’Toras Chassidus Chabad." (In a copy of the manuscript of the
HaYom Yom, the Rebbe MH"M wrote "Gutt Yom Tov," and the Rebbe
Rayatz added in his own handwriting, "for a good year in learning chassidus
and the ways of chassidus.")
Chassidim who lived in Brisk received the letter from the
Rebbe Rashab making Yud-Tes Kislev into a chassidic Rosh HaShana, and
they wanted to establish a day of joy on Purim Katan as a substitute for the
previous Yud-Tes Kislev. When R’ Chaim Brisker heard about this he said, "Don’t
mix one simcha with another. The Yom Tov of Yud-Tes Kislev is deserving
of a bracha in its own right."
However, the chassidim in Kremenchug established three
days of simcha (the 16th, 17th and 18th of Shvat), and the rabbanim
associated with the chassidim of Poland, such as R’ Yisroel Yaakov and
Rabbi Terechinski, danced without jackets and said, "Chabad, baruch Hashem,
lives. May Hashem make Chagas (chassidim of Poland) live, too."
The chassidim in Vilna had a huge seuda as soon
as they received the letter. One of the rabbis in Vilna heard about the meal the
chassidim were making and how they regarded Yud-Tes Kislev as Rosh
HaShana. He reported this to R’ Chaim Ozer Grodzensky, mocking the chassidim
because the Mishna enumerates only four Roshei HaShana, while the
chassidim had five. The gaon responded: "They are adding - we are
diminishing."
Sources: Seifer HaToldos Admur HaRashab, pp. 752+, Kerem
Chabad, Vol. 3, pp. 45+