Table of Contents Schedule: Shabbos Gimmel Tammuz 5775 .............................................................................................................................. 3 About this Guide ........................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Yahrtzeit Observance: A Letter from the Rebbe ..................................................................................................................... 5 Chassidic Discourse: VeAtah TeTzaveh ................................................................................................................................... 8 Part II ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Part III ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Part IV ................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Part V ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Part VI ................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Part VII .................................................................................................................................................................................. 14 Part VIII ................................................................................................................................................................................ 14 Part IX ................................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Part X ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 Part XI ................................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Part XII .................................................................................................................................................................................. 20 Tanya Study .................................................................................................................................................................................. 21 Mishna Study ................................................................................................................................................................................ 28 Reflections: Who Sat Shiva for the Rebbe? ............................................................................................................................ 34 Reflections: Windows ................................................................................................................................................................. 37 Reflections: I Am the Lubavitcher Rebbe............................................................................................................................... 39 2 Schedule: Shabbos Gimmel Tammuz 5775 Friday, 2 Tammuz - June 19 6:40pm Mincha 7:00pm Kabolas Shabbos Shabbos, 3 Tammuz - June 20 8:20am VeAtah Tetzave-Chassidic Discourse, with Rabbi Shmuel Lotman (page 8) 9:00am Shacharis 11:45am Kiddush Sponsored by Alex and Regina Shister in Memory of Alex’s Father 1:00pm Mishnayos with Rabbi Shmuel Lotman (page 28) 1:35pm Mincha 7:30pm Farbrengen and Learning 9:40pm Maariv followed by Havdala 3 About this Guide Erev Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, 5775 Dear Friends, One of the most powerful ideas within the family-dynamic of our people is our mutual responsibility and interdependence. In the words of our sages “kol yisrael arevim ze baze” – All Jews are combined and responsible for one another. While this is true for every single Jew, it is even more apparent in the relationship between a tzaddik and his flock. Like inseparable parts of a single entity, they are completely bound up with one another. Thus we find that when the Jewish people sinned by creating a golden calf, although it was done in Moses’ absence (after all, he was up on the mountain receiving the Torah), G-d tells him, “go, descend, for your people have sinned”, which our sages understand to mean: “descend from your greatness”, because Moses’ spiritual status was negatively affected by their sin - distant as he was from that act. The same is for good. The Jewish people are compared to a single body. The head, that directs the person’s footsteps, is the tzaddik, while the rest of us are likened to limbs. And “just as the feet bring the head to a place it could not reach on its own, so the Jewish people help Moshe Rabbeinu to attain heights that he would be unable to on his own”. (See attached Maamar on page 8.) And even after the passing of a tzaddik, the Talmud teaches that Rabbi Yehuda, the author of the mishna, would visit his bereaved family (from the world of Truth) to be with them, saying “I need my children”. *** This provides an incredible insight into the relevance of observing customs on the Rebbe’s Yahrtzeit: No doubt, on each Yahrtzeit the tzaddik’s soul ascends to new heights. But for that ascent to be truly rewarding to him; for it to reflect his life’s calling of absolute devotion and connectedness to the Jews of his generation, his elevation must be replicated – nay, brought about - by their elevation. Each of us must play our part in the process. So when each of us – regular, everyday individuals who were affected by the Rebbe’s teachings, writings - observe the Yahrtzeit customs, it is not only a matter of our personal choice or piety; rather, it actually affects the way in which the Rebbe experiences his own elevation. That’s how absolutely connected we are. To help in the Yahrtzeit study, we’ve gathered a part of the relevant texts in English. May we merit the fulfillment of the prophet’s words (“those who repose in the earth will arise and rejoice”) through the coming of Moshiach, may it be soon. We’ve also added a number of personal reflections on the Rebbe and his Yahrtzeit. A big thanks to Chabad.org for their always thought-provoking material. The Shul 4 Yahrtzeit Observance: A Letter from the Rebbe [Editor's note: The following is a free translation of a public letter written by the Rebbe shortly before the first yahrtzeit (anniversary of passing) of his father-in-law and predecessor, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn of Lubavitch, in which the Rebbe directs the chassidim on how to observe the yahrtzeit. Chassidim observe the customs of the yahrtzeit on the date of the Rebbe's passing, in accordance with the customs instituted by the Rebbe for the yahrtzeit of his father-in-law and predecessor. Today, chassidim follow these customs on the Rebbe's anniversary of passing, on the Third of Tammuz. The letter is dated Rosh Chodesh Shevat, 5711 [January 8, 1951]. By the Grace of G-d Rosh Chodesh Shevat, 5711 Brooklyn, N.Y. To the members of our community, the Temimim1, and to all who are bound or in any way connected with my revered father-in-law, the saintly Rebbe, of blessed memory, G-d bless you all. Greeting and Blessings: In response to the many requests for a detailed schedule for the upcoming Tenth of Shevat, yahrtzeit of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, hareini kaparat mishkavo2, I hereby suggest the following3: On the Shabbat before the yahrtzeit, each should try to be called up to the Torah for an aliyah. If there are not enough aliyot, the Torah should be read a number of times in different rooms. However, no additions should be made to the number of aliyot per reading4 . The one who is honored with Maftir5 should be the most respected convergent, as determined by the majority; alternatively, the choice may be determined by lot. The congregation should choose someone to lead the prayers on the day of the yahrtzeit. It is proper to divide the honor, choosing one person to lead the evening service (Maariv), a second to lead the morning service (Shacharit), and a third – the afternoon service (Minchah). In this way a greater number of community members will have the privilege. A yahrtzeit candle should be lit that will burn for the entire twenty-four hours. If possible, the candle should be of beeswax6. [Editor's note: Yahrtzeit candles are available in the Shul office.] Five candles should be lit throughout the prayer services7. After each prayer service (in the morning service—following the reading of Psalms), the one leading the prayers should study (or at least conclude the study of) the following selections from the Mishnah: Chapter 24 of Keilim and chapter 7 of Mikvaot. He should then recite the mishnah "Rabbi Chananyah ben Akashya...," followed silently by a few lines of Tanya8, and Kaddish deRabbanan. [Editor's note: These two chapters can be found in the Siddur on pages 461 and 463.] 5 After Maariv, part of the discourse (maamar)