Tes & Yud Kislev: The Mitteler Rebbe - Part One

00:00 In connection with Tes Kislev, the birthday and the hishtalkus of the Mitteler Rebbe, we will discuss quotes from the Rebbe in various sichas over the years and also from a maimer explaining deeper insights what Tes Kislev means. In the maimer of Shabbos Parshas Vayeitzei, the 9th of Kislev, Tov Shim Lamad Beis, late 1971, towards the end of the maimer, the Rebbe explains, quoting from the Tzemach Tzedek, when he gets to the hishtalkus of the Mitteler Rebbe, that such a hishtalkus we don't find since the time of the passing of Rab Shimon ben Yochai. And as it is told in the introduction of the Sefer Teiros Chaim, which are maimerim discourses of the Mitteler Rebbe, introduction was written by his son, Rab Nochem, and he writes that his father was speaking right before the hishtalkus for an hour and more till he reached the pasuk, the verse, ki imcha meker chaim, that with you is the source of life. You refers to Hashem. He did not complete the word chaim and he was nistalik. The Rebbe explains that the verse ki imcha meker chaim means that the maket of chaim, the source of life, is completely bottle, is in a state of nullification and connected to Hashem. This is basically what we find by Rab Shimon ben Yochai, bechad ketirus katar no, that with one nut he connected with Hashem. In the same sense, we see it by the hishtalkus of the Mitteler Rebbe with the verse ki imcha meker chaim. In a sicha, Tes Kislev

02:07 Tov Shim Mem Tes, late 1988, the Rebbe elaborates on the fact that Tes Kislev is the birth date and also the yom ha'ilula of the Mitteler Rebbe. And as we see also a quote from our sages, as the Rebbe quotes in the sicha, that the Eibishter sits and fills the years of the tzaddikim from day to day. That in this day, Tes Kislev, the Mitteler Rebbe was born and this very same day, years later, was the hishtalkus and the ilula of the Mitteler Rebbe. And the Rebbe continues that by most of the tzaddikim that we know not only the day of their passing, but also their birthday, it does not usually happen on the same day. As we see it by the Rabbeim, Nesiah Chabad, that the Mitteler Rebbe is the only one amongst the Rabbeim that was born and nistalik in the very same day. The Rebbe explains that nevertheless, it does not contradict to the quote of our sages as mentioned earlier, that the Eibishter calculates exactly from day to day, because in this concept there are many levels. Which means to say, the Rebbe says that by all the tzaddikim, there is an inyan of memalech neseim, that the Eibishter fills the years, calculates their years, their age from day to day. And then there are tzaddikim by whom it is in a revealed state. In Nesiah Chabad, Shabbos Parshas Vayeitzei, Tes Kislev Tov Shim Yud Alef, late 1950, the Rebbe quotes from a letter of the previous Rebbe about an event

04:04 that took place by the Rebbe Rashab, Tes Kislev, that was also Shabbos Parshas Vayeitzei, Tov Resh Nun Zayin, late 1896. The Rebbe Rashab then said a maimer and there was also a fabregen and the Rebbe Rashab said that observing a yom ha'ilula, a day of a passing of a tzaddik, by learning the Torah of the Baal Ha'ilula and making a fabregen, this is considered a pidyon nefesh, a pan that is given over to the Baal Ha'ilula. And the Rebbe says we can very easily understand that if there would have been an opportunity to go in now to the Mitteler Rebbe and hand him a pidyon, surely everyone would rush to do it. They wouldn't think twice and they would do it immediately. The Rebbe says based on what is mentioned earlier from the Rebbe Rashab, there is an opportunity now to give a pidyon to the Mitteler Rebbe in the fabregen that is taking place now and in studying his Torah after the fabregen when everybody will return home to learn something in one of the swarim of the Mitteler Rebbe, the Baal Ha'ilula. In Shabbos Parshas Vayeitzei, Tes Kislev Tov Shim Mem Beis, late 1981, the Rebbe derives lessons when he gets to the Mitteler Rebbe's Torah of Chulu and the Rebbe mentions directives that based on what is mentioned earlier, it is understood that this is the most appropriate time and the most auspicious time to take upon oneself good resolutions when he gets to an increase in the study of chassidus in

06:02 a greater measure in a manner of Recheves HaNoar. Which means the river banks in the same sense that the river flows over its banks, in the same sense by the Mitteler Rebbe, Chassidus was said for hours as a river that overflows. And the Rebbe said, simply this means an increase in the study of Chassidus in quantity and quality, and this will accomplish the general concept of love of Hashem and fear of Hashem, and especially in particular that the general concept of love of Hashem and fear of Hashem is amongst the mitzvahs that are steady at all times, and also women are obligated in these mitzvahs as mentioned many times. We're concluding with a sicha from the Rebbe, 10 Kislev, Tov Shenun, where the Rebbe connects 10 Kislev and Yud Kislev together. 10 Kislev being the yom ha'yilula of the Mitteler Rebbe and Yud Kislev being the yom ha'geulah, the day of his redemption. That through the avoda of a tzaddik that elevates the maila, and then it brings down all the hamsochas, all the yeshuas, all the blessings here lemata in this world. So bemeila this accomplishes an inyan of a redemption for himself, for his family, for his students, for the whole Jewish nation. So this is basically how from yom ha'yilula it... we enter the yom ha'geulah. Im yirtza Hashem, tomorrow we will continue discussing the yom ha'geulah. A guten yom tov. The hemshech to the earlier installment regarding 10 Kislev, the yom ha'yeledes and the yom ha'yilula of the Mitteler Rebbe, the

08:11 birth date and the day of his dalkos, and in addition, celebrating Yud Kislev, the geulah of the Mitteler Rebbe, we now discuss various facts as they appear in the Rebbe's writings and talks. In his writings, in Kislev tov, Reish sadey gimel, late 1932, the Rebbe recorded some details which relate to the Mitteler Rebbe's arrest and liberation. The person who made a libel on the Mitteler Rebbe was a relative to the Mitteler Rebbe from his mother's side. His name was Simcha Lipman. The Mitteler Rebbe did not sit in jail, but in a house seemingly from the government institutions, one of the meizders of the memshala. The house was later purchased by the Rebbe Maharash. When they notified the Mitteler Rebbe that he is free, or when they came to release him, he was in the middle of delivering a maimer, a discourse for Chassidim. The maimer began with the words, "Ato echad ve'Simcha echad," since this was taking place Shabbos at Mincha time. Professor Heydenthal accomplished that the Mitteler Rebbe was not placed in a prison and that Chassidim were allowed to come in to the Mitteler Rebbe in order to daven with the minyan and that he be able to say Chassidus. And that is also including the last Shabbos that he was in prison, that he said in the maimer for Chassidim, the limit was 50 Chassidim every Shabbos for a maimer. The assistant of the general gubernator of Vitebsk, where the Mitteler Rebbe was imprisoned, disclosed that the reason the case was moving

10:17 slow, things were not being processed quickly, was because the general gubernator felt pleased and comfortable speaking to the daughter of the Mitteler Rebbe who was involved in the case, and he would call her to explain specifics because the daughter of the Mitteler Rebbe, the daughters of the Mitteler Rebbe were nice-looking. The, the daughters because the daughters of the Mitteler Rebbe were nice-looking, and he was attracted to them, and therefore he prolonged the case and the processing. When this became known to the daughters, they stopped coming to him. Referring to what was mentioned earlier, the maimer that the Mitteler Rebbe said during which his release took place, the Rebbe explains in his maimer of Shabbos Parshat Vayetzei, 10 Kislev, Tov Shin Lamed Beis, late 1971, that the contents of the maimer and the timing of the maimer of the Mitteler Rebbe, which was Shabbos Mincha, most auspicious time of Shabbos, accomplished the geulah, the liberation. The maimer itself accomplished the podo veshalom nafshe, the liberation, since this reflects a special intense godly energy drawn down from above. Another aspect b'negea to this maimer, in the middle of delivering this maimer, the Mitteler Rebbe stopped and said, "Sha pnu mokem der taté do." It should become quiet, free up space, for my father is here. And the Rebbe explains that being the Alter Rebbe and Mitteler Rebbe symbolize the attributes of Chochma and Binah, which these two attributes are considered as close friends. Therefore, the Alter Rebbe arrived from high up to partake in the redemption of

12:24 the Mitteler Rebbe. Rebbe explains in his Maimer, mentioned earlier, Tes Kislev Tov Shen Lamed Beis, that the actual geulah, being able to return home on Sunday the 10th of Kislev, actually took place on the 10th day of Kislev. This is also reflected in the day's Shir Tealim, in the daily Tealim of the 10th of Kislev, which we also recite the verse, He has redeemed my soul in peace. This day became a Yom Tov. In Tafresh Sadi Gimel, as mentioned earlier, late 1932, when the Minyan began saying Tachnun by Mincha of Tes Kislev, the 9th of Kislev, the previous Rebbe instructed not to say Tachnun, since it is already Erev Yud Kislev. So therefore, we don't say Tachnun then. The Rebbe, in his Sichah of Vayetze, the 9th of Kislev Tov Shen Yut Tes, late 1958, explains that one of the reasons that Yud Kislev did not become a Yom Tov celebration as Yut Tes Kislev, the 19th of Kislev, is because the next year after his redemption, he was Nistalik on the 9th of Kislev. This was just a day short of a full year since his release, when his geulah would have been marked commemorated for the first time. Therefore, the celebration never got off the ground. On Tes Kislev Tov Shen Mem Tes, late 1988, the Rebbe gave us directives for this day, Yud Kislev, and also for this time in the year. There should be an increase in the study of Chassidus, and especially in the Maimerim, the discourses of the Mitteler

14:21 Rebbe, and as a continuation to these days, to utilize the month of Kislev with an increase in the study of Torah, and in particular, Chassidus. In Shabbos Vayetze, Tov Shen Nun, late 1989, the Rebbe elaborated that despite the fact that the Mitteler Rebbe was imprisoned by non-Jews, but eventually they realized on their own that they need to release him, and they actually did this. This, as well as the geulah of the Alter Rebbe and the geulahs of the following Rebbes, contributed in a great measure to the birur refinement of the nations, to the extent that they acknowledge the truth of Torah and Elokus. Behemsach to the earlier installments, B'negeah to Tes and Yud Kislev, relating to the Mitteler Rebbe, we're now continuing discussing additional facts as cited by the Rebbe in his writings and talks. The first point is the title, The Reference. In Hebrew, the Mitteler Rebbe is referred to as Murho Emtzoi. The Rebbe elaborated on this title with a few insights on several occasions as follows. One nekude that the Rebbe elaborated and brought out what this reference means and contains, the word Mitteler means the middle. Middle is appropriate to say when there is one prior to it and one who follows after. In this case, the Alter Rebbe is the one prior to the Mitteler Rebbe and the Tzemach Tzedek is the one who is after, who was the successor after the Istalkos of the Mitteler Rebbe. On another occasion, the Rebbe explained that from a deeper perspective, this signifies

16:39 that it consists of both of them together, the Alter Rebbe and the Tzemach Tzedek. This stands out particularly in the chiddush of the Mitteler Rebbe, which was overflowing as a river overflows its banks. A second fact, B'negeah to the Mitteler Rebbe, it was in the summer of the year 1935, the Rebbe recorded in his writings interesting facts about the Mitteler Rebbe's height and color in comparison to the Alter Rebbe and the Tzemach Tzedek. The Alter Rebbe was tall and his hair color was blonde, not red. The Mitteler Rebbe was somewhat shorter than the Alter Rebbe and also his hair color was blonde. Rab Chaim Avram, the middle son of the Alter Rebbe, was taller than the Alter Rebbe. The Tzemach Tzedek was taller than the Mitteler Rebbe and his hair color was more reddish. Amongst the Tzemach Tzedek's children, some of them had black hair. Now continuing to fact three, B'negeah, a picture. In the Sichah of the 10th of Kislev Tov Shen Dalet Mem, late 1983, the Rebbe discusses the lack of a picture of the Mitteler Rebbe. The Rebbe says as follows, because it is through the agency of Taylor that Jews can transcend the temporary limits of the world It is by our study of the Mitteler Rebbe's Torah, particularly that we relive the events of Yud Kislev. Such a reliving becomes much more vivid when we picture the Mitteler Rebbe standing opposite us when we learn his Torah. As our sages state in Talmud Yerushalmi, whoever repeats a saying should picture

18:48 its author as if he stands opposite him. The Rebbe continues, there's a problem, however, in picturing the Mitteler Rebbe. A portrait or picture of every Rebbe exists except of the Mitteler Rebbe. How then, when learning the Mitteler Rebbe's Torah, is one to fulfill the directive to picture the author as if he stands opposite him? The Rebbe explains, when learning Torah, a Jew grasps Hashem. You are taking me, as Hashem says, "Eisi atem lechim". For, says Hashem, I have placed my soul in writing. Expression in the Talmud, the tractate of Shabbos, "Ano nafshi ksoves Yehovah's", meaning that Hashem placed his very essence into the Torah. When one learns Torah, he therefore grasps Hashem's essence. Tzadikim are similar to their Creator, and Tzadikim also place their souls in their writings. When one learns a Tzadik's Torah, he grasps the author. Therefore, although no portrait of the Mitteler Rebbe exists, the idea of the author stands opposite him is effected through learning the Mitteler Rebbe's Torah, just as one grasps Hashem, although he has no body and no form. We continue now to the fourth fact beneath the Mitteler Rebbe. The concept of a seemingly undesirable factor which ultimately is positive can also be seen in regard to the Mitteler Rebbe. Indeed, his very name, Dov, the Hebrew for bear, expresses this concept. A bear is a non-kosher animal. Furthermore, there are other animals, for example, the eagle and the lion, which though non-kosher, are still included in Hashem's merkavah, in the vision of Hashem's chariot. Nothing of

20:59 that nature is mentioned in regard to the bear. In Daniel's prophecy, he describes a specific kingdom that resembles the bear. They eat and drink like bears and are heavily laden with meat like bears. Therefore, the bear reflects an approach dominated by the material and physical. The same applies regarding the Mitteler Rebbe's second name, bear. It is merely a translation of the Hebrew name, Dov, without any significance of its own. However, the concept of meat also has its source in the spiritual realms, and it is from there that it is reflected in our world. This is related to the concept of the Evadim de-malka, the limbs of the king, the two hundred and forty-eight positive commandments. By fulfilling those commandments, it is as if we bring into being these two hundred and forty-eight limbs. Heavily laden with meat refers to the service of Teshuvah, which brings about an increase of a totally different type of merits, which bring about an, an increase as it were of meat in the spiritual realms. From this spiritual reality is drawn down the existence of entities which are heavily laden with meat. The hemshech to the earlier installments regarding the Mitteler Rebbe, we now continue with installment number four, discussing some aspects about the Mitteler Rebbe's Ma'amarim discourses. 10 Kislev, taf shin yud beis, that's late 1951, the Rebbe spoke a sicha in which the Rebbe relayed stories about the Mitteler Rebbe. And one of the stories the Rebbe said that the Mitteler Rebbe would say a lot of chassidus

23:06 and quite often. The Mariel, Rabbi Yehuda Leib, the son of the Tzemach Tzedek, would constantly visit the Mitteler Rebbe, who was his grandfather, and the Mitteler Rebbe would lean on him when he said chassidus. He referred to the Mariel as mein stender, which is as a stender that a person leans on, in the same sense the Mitteler Rebbe leaned on his grandson. In the time of the Mitteler Rebbe, as mentioned earlier, there was a riboi, a great number of inyonim of chassidus, and, um, sometimes a Shabbos that the Mitteler Rebbe would say three Ma'amarim in one Shabbos. And there was one time that he said a Ma'amar four in the morning, four AM. The Rebbe says the lesson that we derive from this is that a person could learn chassidus even three times in one day and also at night and even the middle of the night. Four AM, although according to the limitation of Sulchan Aruch, a person still needs to sleep then, it is still before the time of our Ira Shachar waking up with the morning star. This story the Rebbe told during a farbrengen, Yud Kislev taf shin chaf beis, the tenth of Kislev, taf shin chaf beis, Parashat Vayetze, late 1961. And at that farbrengen, the Rebbe said three Ma'amarim, which was very exceptional. The Mitteler Rebbe's Ma'amarim were known to be long. Sometimes we see a Ma'amar that is published in Tedereid, which are Ma'amarim of the Alter Rebbe. And when the Mitteler Rebbein his Sefer Teder S'chayim

25:17 on Chumash, Breishes, and Sh'mois elaborates on those maimarim, we see how it's broadened in a very great extent, to a great extent. For example, a maimer of the Alter Rebbe, which is two pages by the Mittler Rebbe, it is developed sometimes into 10 pages and more. A maimer of the Mittler Rebbe, which is known as a long maimer, is the maimer in Teder S'chayim, Chumash Sh'mois, Parshah Beshalach. It begins with the pasuk of tipel la'aleyem ein moser vafachad. It is 40 pages, and Hasidim referred to this maimer as tipel hagadol, the big tipel. The Rebbe records in his manuscripts, winter Tov Reish Tzadik Hey, that is late 1934, that the Mittler Rebbe and the Tzanak Tzadik and the Rebbe Marash did not want that people should be medayek, should be particular in their words in the maimarim. The Alter Rebbe was particular that people should be medayek, should delve into it, into the words, every word of the maimer. In Tov Shim Mem Gimel, late 1982, the Rebbe speaking about the Ushpizin of the Mittler Rebbe says that the Mittler Rebbe was distinguished by his elaborate and lengthy explanations, Chassidus. And this is the idea of delight, in contrast to when a concept is only in a basic form. Since the Mittler Rebbe is the Inyan of the attribute of Binah, which is connected with Atik, with the deeper level in the attribute of Kesser, of crown, which is the idea of delight, the Inyan of Tayinuk. Therefore, the teachings of the Mittler Rebbe reveal

27:48 the idea of delight in the study of the esoteric, similar to the idea of delight in the Teder of Meshech. The Ushpizin of Meshech Rabbeinu and the Mittler Rebbe are in the same evening, the fourth night of Sukkot. In Tov Shim Yud Aleph, Shabbos Parshah Va'eira, which is beginning of 1951, the Rebbe relates that when the Mittler Rebbe would say Chassidus, it was very quiet. The audience, Chassidim, very quiet. Still, there were times in the middle of the maimer he would say, "Sha, sha," it should become quiet. And the Rebbe Rashab explained because this was to quiet down the gushing thoughts of his prolific mind. And the Rebbe asks, what is the need to quiet down the Nevi'as HaMeichan, the thoughts of his prolific mind? The Rebbe bases it on what he explained earlier, that since when the mind is gushing thoughts, sometimes it is difficult for someone to stop and make a decision. There are thoughts in one direction, there are thoughts in another direction. As the Rebbe mentions, B'neguer de Rogatchover, that the most difficult day in the week for him was Shabbos. He couldn't write it down. And there were thoughts in one direction, thoughts in a different direction. And that was an agony, not being able to write it down and to study it and review it. So therefore, the Rebbe says by the Mittler Rebbe, we find also at times that he says, "Dele kenal." He mentions a thought, a concept, explains it, and then later he gives another explanation

30:02 and he says, "Dele kenal," not like the original explanation. Although everything was written and published in the maimer, but still, because of the gushing thoughts of his prolific mind, there were thoughts reflecting at times in opposite directions. In a farbrengen Yud Shvat Tov Shim Lamed Zayin, 1977, the Rebbe discusses how one can figure out a maimer Chassidus of the Rabbeim, which Rebbe said it. Each one had an expression, specific expression that they use quite often, and this will help a person distinguish between the maimarim of one Rebbe and another Rebbe. By the Mittler Rebbe, it was Vidal. Many times, and quite often, that when he would end, complete a whole paragraph or a whole segment of a page, he would write Vidal. Vidal means it is sufficient for someone that is wise. Vidal is the acronym Vidai Lehakima. It is sufficient for a wise person. In Tov Shemem Zayin, Tishrei time, late 1986, the Rebbe explains the Vidal is also an acronym. It is sufficient for someone that understands. And the Rebbe attributes this expression, as mentioned earlier, that is usually found in the discourses of the Mital Rebbe. And the Rebbe says this has a connection with redemption, because amongst the different prophecies that are mentioned in regards to the end of the days, it says, that there will be clarification, there will be cleansing, there will be refinement. And how does he conclude? The smart people will understand. So that is the expression, it is sufficient for one who understands. The hemsach to

32:33 the earlier installment regarding the Mital Rebbe, we now continue and conclude with installment number five, discussing an overview of the Mital Rebbe's activities in spreading Torah. The Rebbe Erev Habrengen said as follows, The lesson that we can learn from a leader relates to the fundamental qualities which distinguished his service. An analysis of the historical background during which the Mital Rebbe assumed the leadership of the Hasidic community reveals his unique personal qualities. This was during the Napoleon Wars and the immediate after. Those wars had laid waste to the areas in Russia in which the greater proportion of the Jewish community lived. Houses had been destroyed, places of business ruined, many Jews were wandering homeless. Likewise, in a spiritual sense, the French invasion had left its mark. The Alter Rebbe had described Napoleon as a contrary force to godliness. Even after his defeat, his influences remained. The Mital Rebbe accepted the leadership of the Hasidic community in such a setting. Immediately upon accepting that authority, despite the difficulties present, he began a variety of activities intended to spread Torah. Those activities included efforts to advance the study of Nigla, the revealed part of Torah and Hasidic thought. Amongst his achievements in these activities was the publication of the Shulchan Aruch of the Alter Rebbe. The Alter Rebbe had written the Shulchan Aruch in the year Tov kuf lamed gimel, 1773, while a student of the Magid of Mezrich. For 40 years, it had not been printed. The above activity took place only one year after the Mital

34:46 Rebbe became Rebbe. Despite the problem of arranging the material for publication and the technical difficulties involved in printing a four-volume text, he was able to produce a major work in such a short amount of time. Similarly, in the realm of Hasidic thought, the Mital Rebbe made major contributions. Among the efforts in that direction were the recitation of lengthier and more detailed Hasidic discourses. The previous Rebbe compared the Mital Rebbe's explanation and elaboration of the Alter Rebbe's ideas to the manner in which the power of Bina understanding develops and unfolds the germ concept produced by the power of Chochma wisdom. In addition, the Mital Rebbe began a significant effort to publish Hasidic texts. In the year Tov kuf ayin vav, 1816, only four years after he became Rebbe, he published the Alter Rebbe's commentary on the Siddur. Afterwards, he published other texts of the Alter Rebbe as well as many of his own works. These efforts to spread Torah, regardless of the challenges of the surrounding situation, provide a lesson for ourselves. As mentioned, the Mital Rebbe assumed leadership of the Hasidic community while he himself was fleeing from Napoleon. Most of his first year as Rebbe was spent traveling through White Russia and the Ukraine, encouraging and assisting in the settlement of his displaced followers. Nevertheless, from the very beginning of his leadership, he was actively involved in spreading Torah. A parallel can be drawn to our present situation. Even though the destruction, both in the physical and spiritual sense, wrought by the Holocaust has

36:52 not been forgotten, the example of the Mital Rebbe should encourage us to be active in spreading Torah. On another occasion, in Tov shin mem hey 1985, the Rebbe urged Rab Arum Chitrik, the chief librarian at the time, to begin preparing the manuscripts and discourses of the Mital Rebbe for publishing. The Rebbe cites the fact that the Mital Rebbe, more than other Rebbes, added with all formats of exertion that Hasidim should learn his Maimorim. This is when he published his own Svarim in his lifetime. It was then, in the mid-Tov shin mem's 1980s anon, that new volumes of the Mital Rebbe's Maimorim were published for the first time. This included his Maimorim on Chumash, from Vayikra through Dvorim, on Neviim, Kesuvim, and Chasana discourses.