$2.00 US ELUL 5774 ISSUE 23 (100) CHARTER TO THE REBBE – TISHREI 5721 בס“ד מ'פארט צום רבי'ן 2 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER ולכתיבה וחתימה טובה לכל אחד ואחד שליט"א $2.00 US ELUL 5774 ISSUE 23 (100) CHARTER TO THE REBBE – TISHREI 5721 AV 5774 | 3 PHOTO: JEM/THE LIVING ARCHIVE / 104489 Moifsim in Chabad? There is a fascinating story told by the Frierdiker Rebbe about Chai Elul, which the Rebbe recounted many times throughout the years: On Shabbos Chai Elul, 5652, the Rebbe Rashab ascended to Gan Eden (still during his lifetime) along with his father, the Rebbe Maharash, where he heard seven “Toros” from the Baal Shem Tov.1 In this sicha, the Rebbe expounds on the nature of this miraculous event, deriving an important lesson for each of us.2 Throughout the generations of Chabad, Firstly, the fact that the Rebbe Rashab nature. But in truth, all of nature is really there has never been an emphasis on heard Toros from the Baal Shem Tov in Gan miraculous, so there is no reason to make a “moifsim”—supernatural events. True, all of Eden is a moifes.—a heavenly revelation tumult out of a moifes. our Rabbeim did indeed perform miracles, from above. Then, by expounding upon the The answer: and more so in recent times; nevertheless, Toros in his own words, the Rebbe Rashab Firstly, when he is in desperate need of these occurrences were not publicized translated this revelation into human help in his own material matters, he begs as in the times of the Baal Shem Tov. intellect as well—the fundamental purpose for a miraculous salvation – a nes. He does This attitude was in keeping the general of Chabad. not suffice merely with a natural resolution; approach of Chabad—not to suffice with This is also true in the process of somehow he suddenly knows to appreciate heavenly inspiration, and assistance in our revealing and publicizing the story and the superiority of a moifes… avoda, but rather to invest effort and reach content of these Toros: Furthermore: Torah dictates that there the greatest heights on our own. When someone hears that the Baal is a difference between natural occurrences With that being said, it seems difficult to Shem Tov taught these Toros in Gan Eden and miraculous events. According to understand: (in a supernatural course of events), they Halacha, there are circumstances when one The story about the Rebbe Rashab are inspired and their mood is uplifted. is required to make a brocha over a nes, and ascending to Gan Eden during his lifetime Only then is he exposed to the subject’s so on. on Shabbos Chai Elul, 5652, and hearing logical explanation, in the way of “Chabad.” Hence, it is important that we take seven Toros from the Baal Shem Tov Obviously, the preface about the “moifes” the story of the seven Toros to heart, is a most wondrous and supernatural excites the individual emotionally, thereby realizing the supernatural aspect of it, and occurrence. Why then would we deviate deepening the effect of the Toros, bringing implement its meaning in our everyday from ordinary protocol and publicize such about the desired results in a much greater avodas Hashem. an event – nothing short of a moifes? This manner. seems to be at odds with the very idea Parenthetically, this story also serves as 1. Two of them are recorded in HaYom Yom, Chai Elul; from Sichas Shmini Atzeres, 5697. which Chabad stands for! an answer to the so-called “Shpitz-Chabad” In 5752, marking 100 years from Shabbos Chai The answer lies in a deeper look at the who maintain that one need not be moved Elul 5652, a full Kuntres of the seven Toros and the Rebbe’s explanations on the subject was day of Chai Elul: by moifsim, as Chabad never emphasized published by Vaad Hanachos B’lahak, called Chai Elul marks the birthday of “Shnei that point. Kuntres Shivas HaToros. The full Kuntres was Ha’meoros Hagedolim”—the Baal Shem They further claim that supernatural later published in newer prints of Kesser Shem Tov, Hosafos, Siman gimmel pg 501. Tov and the Alter Rebbe—and therefore occurrences don’t bear significance, for 2. Adapted from selections of Sichas Shabbos encapsulates the interconnection of as the Baal Shem Tov taught, even nature Parshas Tavo, Chai Elul, 5747. Chassidus Haklolis with Chassidus Chabad. itself is also supernatural; it’s only that our The story highlights both of these points. eyes grew accustomed to the patterns of 4 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER כתבתיתתתותשתתת ת תשת ת כתבתיתתתותשתתת ת תשת ת נת' ות"ח ]=תשואות חן[ ת"ח על נת' בשו"ט ות"ח ]=בשורות ]=תשואות חן[ טובות[ ת"ח עלהנ"ל ודבר בשו"ט בעתו שהמלך]=בשורות בשדה טובות[ כו' הנ"ל ודבר אזכיר בעתו עה"צ שהמלך]על בשדה הציון[ כו' להנ"ל אזכיר ולכוח"ט עה"צ ]על ]ולכתיבה הציון[ להנ"לוחתימה טובה[ ולכוח"ט לכאו"א שליט"א]ולכתיבה וחתימה טובה[ לכאו"א שליט"א ELUL 5774 | 5 INFINITE Value // The Tomim// Bochurim; Tmimim; the Rebbe’s most treasured. A notion apparent throughout the years was the special attention the Rebbe reserved for them, and the affectionate way he referred to them in his sichos. In honor of Tes-Vov Elul, the day Tomchei Tmimim was founded in 5657, we present a small selection of the unique qualities of Tmimim as depicted in the Rebbe’s sichos and letters. EVERLASTING EFFECT seem appropriate that this should MY OWN finally be completed in connection Perhaps the earliest found reference From the beginning of his nesius it was with these milestones. from the Rebbe regarding the exceptional clear that the Rebbe provided special qualities of Tmimim is to be found in As an introduction [to the list], a attention to the Bochurim. Perhaps a letter that he wrote to the Frierdiker letter from the [Frierdiker] Rebbe this is most evident in the story told by Rebbe in the year 5697, at a time when should be printed, addressed to all the “Zhlobiner Rov”, Reb Yerachmiel the Rebbe was intimately involved in the the former and present Talmidim [of Biyominson (formerly a Rov in Zhlobin preparation of the journal “Hatomim.” In Tomchei Tmimim], speaking of: and later a Rosh Yeshivah in Tomchei it the Rebbe suggested that the following The immense spiritual powers which Tmimim, Montreal): summer should see an outburst of were and are invested into Tomchei Immediately after the histalkus of the Chabad publications: Tmimim [by our Rabbeim], which Frierdiker Rebbe, Chassidim tried …Being that this summer will mark in a heavenly sense, are everlasting persuading the Rebbe to accept the forty years since the founding of and ongoing now as well. Thus, the nesius. imprint of the founder and builder [of Tomchei Tmimim, as well as ten years In the summer time of 5710, Reb Tomchei Tmimim] is evident on the since the [Frierdiker] Rebbe’s release Yerachmiel approached the Rebbe and work of his hands [i.e. the Talmidim] from prison, it would be appropriate said, “Regarding us – the older ones – – although for the time being this to commemorate these milestones in fine; we are older, we’ll figure out how may be concealed. Even when one is some way… to get by on our own. But what will be in exile (internally, or in the literal The Rebbe then suggested a series of with the younger ones? How will they sense), the Torah of life and of the maamorim to be published in this regard, survive without a Rebbe?” way of life will enliven him and assure and then added: "פון די יונגע האב :that he is not lost, instead acting as a The Rebbe answered זיך קיין-מאל ניט אפגעזאגט; זיי האלט איך און We have already discussed the idea beacon of light and a source of life to The younger ones“) זיי וועל איך האלטן!" of compiling a list of all Tmimim his surroundings…1 throughout the years; and it would I have never refused, I have always • 6 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER THE REBBE SPEAKS TO BOCHURIM DURING A RALLY FOR CHILDREN ON 28 KISLEV, 5743. JEM/THE LIVING ARCHIVE/140053 tended to them as my own and I will fact that it remains intact even after the bochurim, but he first explained: 2 continue to do so!”) they receive the hashpo’a; they are When dealing with a formless Even before the Rebbe was willing therefore obligated to reciprocate with substance (“choimer bilti metzuyar”), 5 to accept the nesius of the entirety of their own Chaya-Yechida as well… one can recreate it into whatever he Lubavitch, it was the Bochurim that the • wishes, transforming its very being to Rebbe made sure to take care of.3 the highest of orders… • …A Rebbe can change his Chossid’s ELITE The immense spiritual very being, and elevate him to endless powers which were heights. But there is one requirement It was a few months after the Frierdiker and are invested into to be met in order for this to happen: Rebbe’s histalkus, when the Rebbe held a the substance must not have a 4 farbrengen exclusively for Bochurim, on Tomchei Tmimim preconditioned form of its own. Beis Iyar, 5710. In this sicha the Rebbe [by our Rabbeim]… Those who already took their own singles out the bochurim as having a are everlasting and shape, bearing their own self-made superior spiritual connection with the image, can no longer be changed. Rebbe: ongoing now as well Bochurim, however, have no form of Each one of you [the Tmimim] must their own.