The Halachic History of 10 "Gebrokts” Presented by Rabbi Dovid M. M. Baruch 34 24 Why Do You Need To Learn Matza From a Maamar 30 the Rebbe Times Over? An historical review of the highlight of every Short stories Chassid’s Pesach — and anecdotes receiving the small from Rabboseinu piece of matza from Nesieinu and the Rebbe Chassidim My Priority is Crown Heights” Rabbi Shimon Neubort shares moments from his private Yechiduyos 40 About The Cover This Kos Shel Eliyhau was designed by the famous artist Michel Schwartz. It was made of silver and gold with the entire piyut of “Eliyhau Hanavi” inscribed on the cylinder of the cup in Michel’s signature calligraphy style. After a prototype was designed to be used for mass production, Michel’s brother, Moshe Schwartz, as per Michel’s request, took the cup to show the Rebbe. Later, Michel learned that the Rebbe brought the Kos Shel Eliyhau into his holy room and kept it there near him ever since upon the table fashioned by the Rebbe Maharash. Editor: Levi Liberow Published by: Managing Editor: Chabad World Center Shraga Crombie to Greet Moshiach Hebrew Editors: 744 Eastern Parkway Rabbi M.M. Hendel Brooklyn, NY 11213 Rabbi Yaakov Chazan פותחין Why are בדבר Minhagim מלכות ?so Important A compilation of sichos of the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach regarding the importance of observing “Minhag Yisrael — Torah” The Rebbe’s Introduction to Sefer HaMinhagim The customs of the Rebbeim are of The [Previous] Rebbe once said two kinds: (a) those which were made in the name of the Alter Rebbe, the known publicly, and (b) those which were founder of Chabad Chassidism, that privately observed. the teachings of Chassidus in general are not intended for a specific group During the latter years of his life in or class of Jews, but are relevant to all. this world, the [Previous] Rebbe revealed The same applies to the customs and numerous customs to public knowledge, spiritual lifestyle of Chassidus. It is including many that until then had been indeed common knowledge that one not observed privately. Now the [Previous] ought to grasp at supplementary optional Rebbe was aware of the attitude with observances (hiddurim) which are not in which his words would be received; he keeping with one’s own general standards. knew how eager his listeners were to Moreover, there is sometimes a risk that implement them, and how widely these one will regard the embellishment as if it words would be disseminated. It is thus were the nucleus of the mitzvah, which clear that the above practice was not in turn will not be given its rightful simply a case of “teaching and being attention. Nevertheless, with regard to rewarded [for a mere academic exercise]” those practices which have been revealed, (Sotah 44a.), but a practical directive. and which an individual has heard about, This means that after a certain degree of preparation, all those who have come it is well-nigh certain that since all things to hear of these customs should begin happen by Divine Providence, the issue at to practice them. Moreover, keeping in hand is a heavenly instruction, and has mind the great principle of the Torah, relevance to him. (Needless to say, the aforementioned word of caution must Love your neighbor“ — ואהבת לרעך כמוך still be borne in mind.) as yourself” (Vayikra 19:18), one should pass on word of these customs to those The argument that since one is not yet who are as yet unaware of them, so that perfect in lesser details he is therefore they in turn should follow them. not yet ripe for higher observances, has In this facsimile of the introduction to Sefer HaMinhagim, we can see the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach's hagahos on the sicha of Yud Daled Kislev 5714 (a translation of which appears here) which was originally incorporated into the introduction to the book. One of the hagahos is the Rebbe's instruction to omit the sicha from the preface and publish it as a separate introduction. been answered in a letter written by the 10a) That is to say, that whenever an Rebbe Rashab (see mavo to Kuntres opportunity [for divine service] presents Uma’ayon, p. 22). This argument itself one ought to act upon it. For were recalls the charge [leveled by Hashem these circumstances not relevant to him, heaven would never have engineered סמוך לפלטין ,[against Dovid HaMelech You have not yet them. And this applies especially to“ — שלך לא כבשת matters which the [Previous] Rebbe conquered the territory adjoining your disclosed and disseminated to the wider own palace!” (Sifri on Parshas Eikev, sec. public. 51, Tosafos, Avodah Zarah 21a). (From the Rebbe shlita's sicha The answer of the Rebbe on Shabbos Parshas Vayishlach, 14 Kislev, Rashab recalls the response 5714; Likkutei Sichos, Vol. 13, p. 522; published as the introduction to Sefer בהדי כבשי ,[of Yeshayahu to Chizkiyahu] What concern of yours HaMinhagim, translated by Rabbi Uri“ — דרחמנא למה לך are the mysteries of Hashem?” (Berachos Kaploun) LLettersetters ttoo tthehe eeditorditor • • On the Whereabouts of the “Bilti Corrections About the Rebbe’s Mugah” Likkutei Sichos Maamarim In the article about the Likkutei Sichos In Hatomim #1 (Tishrei 5781), there (Hatomim #2), it was mentioned that in were some inaccuracies regarding the the year 5735, the Rebbe stopped being Rebbe’s maamarim in the Navigating the magiha the Likkutei Sichos for a year, but Sea of the Rebbe’s Torah (p. 21): they came out nonetheless under Kehos The article said that “When the Rebbe with an indication of Bilti Mugah. says a maamar, everyone stands. The Where can one find these sichos today? maamar is said with a special tune.” It would be very interesting to learn them. While I believe this was true of all the Avremi Greenberg previous Rebbeims maamarim, our Rebbe (as early as 5714) began a practice called Morristown, NJ “Maamar k’ein sicha” (lit. “a maamar said as a sicha”) which was exactly that: the Rebbe said the maamar without a niggun Hatomim responds: hachana, without the usual maamar tune, with his eyes open, etc. Only the content Dear Avremi, was that of a maamar (usually the Rebbe After checking with members of began — slightly into the sicha — with the Va’ad L’Hafotzas Sichos, it is our saying a passuk as a dibbur hamashchil). understanding that (at least) the vast Only the Rashag would stand at that majority of these Likkutim were in later maamar when it was said at a farbrengen. opportunities (once the Rebbe resumed When the hanocho was made after the the hagaha of the sichos) edited by the farbrengen, this “sicha” would appear as a Rebbe and subsequently published in the maamar in the maamar “layout.” Though following volumes of the Likkutei Sichos. I didn’t count, a large part (most, in fact. We hope that this answers your inquiry. 6 HATOMIM Letters to the editor especially in the later years) of the Rebbe’s Kuntres Inyana shel Toras HaChassidus maamarim were of the second kind… and I look forward to reading more such content. Secondly, you wrote that the Rebbe This While on the topic, I’d recommend .תשנ“ב was magiha maamorim until too is not correct. At the beginning of the also reading Rabbi Heschel Greenberg’s before Simchas Torah and excellent article (which appeared in) תשנ“ג year before Rosh Chodesh Kislev), two more Beis Moshiach some time ago -- in issue maamarim were published that the Rebbe #1194) about this kuntres which he helped looked over (in the words of the “Pesach translate into English and how it reflects and and the longtime belief of Chassidim that (היו למראה עיניו הקדושות :”Devar instructed to publish as mugah. Before the Rebbe is Moshiach. Shavuos that year, a maamar the Rebbe There is one short and powerful story began to be magiha some years before but (and lesson) he writes there that I wish didn’t finish was found, and this maamar to share: too — with the Rebbe’s approval — was published as mugah. I remember hearing that the Rebbe’s physician, Dr. Resnick, was conversing Yasher Koach for the wonderful with the Rebbe about the newly published kovtzim! book, On the Essence of Chassidus. The Yisroel Shimanovich doctor remarked that it contained very little text while the rest were copious תות“ל המרכזית – 770 בית משיח footnotes. The Rebbe’s insightful and powerful response was that all of Chassidus was essentially that: “one nekudah, one • core point; the rest is footnote.” Rabbi Yosef Ber Soloveitchik Some people, myself included, like and Kuntres Inyana Shel Toras to see everything fit together neatly. We HaChassidus sometimes feel unsatisfied when we see a puzzle that is incomplete. Although each piece of the puzzle may look nice; we still crave to see the whole puzzle solved and the entire picture appear. To get to the core of a teaching that unifies all of the particulars makes the teaching that much more effective intellectually. And when our understanding is complete it will prove to be more inspiring, as well. In addition, I’d also like to share the following story about the kuntres which I read with great interest Rabbi Asaf I found quite fascinating and I’m sure Fromer’s overview of the Rebbe’s landmark others will find fascinating as well: HATOMIM 7 LLettersetters ttoo tthehe eeditorditor In the same year that the Rebbe studied the kuntres all night long, and not published his Kuntres Inyana Shel Toras only once… They kept “mulling” it over HaChassidus, one of his secretaries — all Shabbos.