Yud Tes (19th) Kislev 5786

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What happens to us in this world is a reflection of the spiritual worlds above.  This is a fundamental belief of Judaism.  Nothing is random.  Hashem is constantly creating the world, and Hashem’s energy is the life-force of everything.  It follows that whatever is happening around us is happening for a purpose.  Just as our purpose in life is to make a home for Hashem in this world by doing Mitzvot and acts of goodness and kindness, the purpose of all events that happen around us are in order for us to fulfill this purpose.


This belief was evident in Rabbi Schneur Zalman’s attitude when he was arrested on suspicion of treason in Russia in the year 1798.  Here was the most revered, saintly and scholarly Jewish leader in his generation, and one of the foremost influencers of Judaism of all time, being carried away in a black wagon reserved for capital criminals.


He had been slandered to the Czarist government by a fellow Jew who didn’t agree with his philosophy and the new approach to the beauty and depth of Judaism he taught.  This was the climax of incredible persecution of the Chassidic movement, and seemingly the opposite of what one would expect would happen to such a bright luminary who had reenergized Jewish life.


From the stories the Alter Rebbe (as he is known) told, and those told by his successors and Chassidim through the generations, it is clear that he recognized that this danger to him was the outcome of a heavenly decree.  As I wrote last week, often the most important spiritual work requires the most tenacious work, because the darkness of the world fights a new light trying to break through.


While in prison, Rabbi Schneur Zalman had a vision of the Heavenly Court convening to decide his fate.  It was suggested that since he had revealed some of the deepest secrets of Torah to the entire world, he had gone too far and needed to be stopped.  He asked if he should stop, but the decision was made that since he had “broken through” the barriers, he may continue without limit.  He was subsequently released from prison with great honor.


A fascinating story also demonstrates the spiritual struggle that the Alter Rebbe was facing, as told on Chabad.org:    


When the Czar's soldiers came to arrest Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi in 1798, the Rebbe consulted with Rabbi Shmuel Munkes: should he go into hiding, or should he allow himself to be taken to Petersburg?


Reb Shmuel advised his Rebbe not to run away. "Why not?" asked Rabbi Schneur Zalman. "The soldiers are coming to arrest me!"


Answered Reb Shmuel: "One or the other. If you are truly a Rebbe, then no harm will befall you. And if you are not—you deserve it! How dare you deprive thousands of Jews of their pleasure in the material world?"


Rabbi Schneur Zalman taught that we should use the world for the service of Hashem and that everything here is given to us for that purpose.  When we use the material world for that purpose, we are harnessing it for spiritual purposes.  However if we focus only on the physical this is not fulfilling our purpose and leading us in the wrong direction.  I think Reb Shmuel’s answer was emblematic of this idea:  You are being tried on your spiritual teachings, and  if you are indeed a Rebbe, you will prevail.


This is what happened, and the Rebbe’s release on the 19th of Kislev is celebrated every year around the world as a major milestone in Jewish history.  We can’t imagine what the world would look like without the teachings of Chabad Chassidus.  Just look at the current generation and the global impact the Chabad movement is having on Judaism.  This is part of the Alter Rebbe’s legacy, who started teaching Chassidus in a much greater and broader way after his release.


His books of Tanya, the prayer book and Code of Jewish Law, as well as hundreds of Chassidic discourses and teachings, transformed Judaism and helped our nation deeply connect with Hashem and the Torah.  Arguably it is Chassidus that helped us survive the Soviet Union, and it is Chassidus that helped energize and comfort the Jewish world after October 7.  This is why the 19th of Kislev is known as the "Rosh Hashanah of Chassidus,” being the beginning of the true development of Chassidus and the impact of its teachings.


We will celebrate the 19th of Kislev this Tuesday.  I invite you to join us for the traditional meal and farbrengen on Tuesday evening at 6:30 (details and registration here), and if you live elsewhere, certainly your local Chabad will be hosting a celebration.  You can also read a lot more about this day and its significance here.  Shana Tova in the study and practice of Chassidus.

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