A moving description of the Yud-Tes Kislev farbrengen of 5662, when it was revealed for the first time that Yud-Tes Kislev is “Rosh HaShana L’Chassidus.”
PART I
“Gut Yom Tov! Gut Yom Tov!” The sounds of rejoicing were heard in the zal of the great yeshiva in Lubavitch on the night of Yud-Tes Kislev 5662 which fell out on Shabbos that year. Many candles were lit and the tables were set royally but the main thing was that it was a Yom Tov for us, Chassidei Chabad! A Yom Tov for the T’mimim, a Yom Tov for Toras Ha’chassidus, and actually, a Yom Tov for all of creation.
The joy reached the heavens, but not many knew that this joy was almost marred. This is what happened.
PART II
It was Kislev, the month of holidays, light and Geula. From the beginning of this ninth month, Chassidim look forward to the holidays it contains, the Chagai HaGeula of the Alter Rebbe and Mitteler Rebbe. The Chag HaGeula of Yud-Tes Kislev was celebrated each year in the large zal of the yeshiva in Lubavitch with much pomp and majesty, with the Rebbe Rashab sitting at the head and farbrenging.
In addition to the hundreds of T’mimim who learned in the yeshiva, numerous Chassidim came, and even balabatim from Lubavitch attended. They wanted to participate in this farbrengen of the Rebbe Rashab.
How majestic the Rebbe looked. His face shone with an ethereal light. The farbrengen of this day was celebrated as was fitting for this great and holy occasion. The Rebbe Rashab said a maamer Chassidus and delivered many sichos which gave pleasure to the heart and the neshama. Although material plenty was not lacking at this festive farbrengen, who paid attention to such picayune matters?
Kislev 5662: Enemies of the Jewish people in Russia began persecuting them. They came up with a pretext and arrested the Chassid R’ Mendel Horenstein, the Rebbe’s brother-in-law. They accused him of trumped-up charges, accusing him of burning down his factory in order to damage the merchandise there belonging to a gentile. It was a despicable allegation which had no basis in fact, but the Jew-hating prosecutor Shemakov saw an opportunity to cause trouble. Very quickly, R’ Mendel Horenstein was arrested and placed behind bars to await his trial.
The Rebbe was greatly distressed over this. “A heavy cloud rested on my father’s face,” is how his son described the Rebbe’s pain.
On 5 Kislev, the Rebbe had to leave Lubavitch and travel to Moscow in order to make efforts on behalf of R’ Horenstein and to arrange first class lawyers for him. This trip was sudden and unexpected. At first, everyone thought that the Rebbe would manage to return for Yud-Tes Kislev. But as time passed, the Chassidim and T’mimim realized that it was unlikely the Rebbe would be spending the special day with them.
A meeting was held by a committee of T’mimim in which the menahel of the yeshiva, later to be the Rebbe Rayatz, officially announced that it was unlikely that his father would return in time. Still, the talmidim should plan for Yud-Tes Kislev as they always did, with all of the older and younger talmidim in the yeshiva eating the holiday meal together with the mashpiim, mashgichim, roshei yeshiva, magidei shiur, and even with the office staff. This meal was special and festive, and unlike the rest of the time when the talmidim ate in the yeshiva dining room, this meal was held in the large zal.
The vaad of the talmidim, which was comprised of the older, serious bachurim in the yeshiva, who heard this news, was shocked. Some of them even had tears in their eyes. They had all hoped to be in the Rebbe’s presence for this farbrengen, to gaze upon his countenance, and to hear everything he would teach them, and now…
Throughout the days preceding Yud-Tes Kislev, the preparations went on as usual in the hopes that the Rebbe would return after all. A special vaad of bachurim was formed to organize the festivities. Many guests streamed into Lubavitch, including famous senior Chassidim like R’ Dovid Tzvi Chein of Chernigov (Radatz) and the exceptional Chassid R’ Dov Zev Koznikov, the rav of Yekaterinoslav.
The hanhala of the yeshiva convened to discuss the order of events. They decided that even though the Rebbe would not be there, everything would carry on as usual. The mashpiim also unanimously decided that those T’mimim who had already received permission to come to Lubavitch for Yud-Tes Kislev, having counted on the Rebbe farbrenging, would still be allowed to come.
It was Thursday, 17 Kislev. The next evening was when the grand farbrengen would be held. Despite the short amount of time remaining, they still hoped the Rebbe would arrive. But as the hours passed, “the cloud of sadness intensified,” as the Rebbe Rayatz put it.
At eight in the morning, the two outstanding Chassidic powerhouses of the mind, the Radatz and the rav of Yekaterinoslav, met. They discussed the possibility of asking the Rebbe to make a special trip or even that all the talmidim should go to him. In the early evening, the two of them went to Rebbetzin Rivka, the Rebbe Rashab’s mother, and asked her to ask her son to come to Lubavitch, even for one day. They assumed the son would not refuse his mother.
The Rebbetzin wisely replied, “I am sure that if he could come here, he certainly would.” After thinking momentarily she added, “I cannot ask him something which his holy view does not agree to.”
The Chassidim accepted this and left with heavy hearts.
PART III
At 8:30 Thursday night, the postman knocked at the yeshiva office and brought in a letter. The Rebbe Rayatz opened it and bolted upright in holy awe. It was a letter from his father. He read the letter and saw that it was a fundamental letter that explained the significance of the holy day. It was written especially for the grand farbrengen that would be taking place the following evening as a substitute for his presence.
The Rebbe Rayatz was ecstatic. He rushed to the zal, ascended the platform and in the presence of the mashpiim and mashgichim he festively announced, “We just now merited a holy letter from my father, the Rebbe. This letter that he sent explains the holy upcoming holiday. With Hashem’s help, tomorrow at the Chag HaGeula farbrengen the letter will be read out loud.”
Many of the bachurim were encouraged by this. The atmosphere lifted somewhat even though all understood that this letter could not make up for the absence of the Rebbe. In the meantime, the members of the celebration committee worked around the clock to be able to have everything ready before Shabbos.
The zal was scrubbed and decorated. Long tables and hundreds of chairs were set up. Beautiful utensils and dishes were brought from the Rebbe Rashab’s house to adorn the tables.
Some bachurim worked for hours to set up numerous candles on the walls of the big zal. All along the length, many rows of candles were set up in a most orderly fashion. There were those in the know who said there were 1668 candles, the numerical equivalent of “Chag Rabbeinu HaGadol V’HaKadosh Nishmaso Eden.”
On the yeshiva notice board a detailed sign was hung about the schedule. It said:
Schedule for the Great Chag: the celebration will be Motzaei Shabbos, Maariv at 5. At 5:30 the large zal will be opened and all are invited. Hot drinks will be served. The menahel (the Rebbe Rayatz) will read the letter from the Rebbe Rashab, founder, which speaks about the significance of the day. At 6:30, the rav of Yeka(terinoslav) will read the Igeres “Kotonti” in Tanya and ten talmidim of the yeshiva will give each guest a Tanya so they can listen while looking inside. This rav will also tell of the happenings of this day. This will last an hour and a half (we strongly request that everyone sit quietly and not disturb the program). At 8:00, drinks and saying l’chaim with some refreshments, and the singers will share some of their songs until 9:00. From 9-10:00: rest period. The meal will begin at 10 and last until 1:00. Singing and dancing until 3:00.
The building is open to all who wish to come, but the honored people are asked to obey the ones in charge.
PART IV
The Shabbos Queen had arrived in Lubavitch. It seemed that not only had an “extra soul” descended on hundreds of talmidim and guests but a “double and redoubled soul” – double for Shabbos and tripled for the Chag HaChagim, Yud-Tes Kislev.
All streamed toward the yeshiva zal, dressed in Shabbos garb and with joy in their hearts. The honored guests took their places. Faces shone and eyes sparkled with the joy of the holiday. There was no better way to begin this great and holy day than with the study of Chassidus. Hundreds of talmidim sat and learned. The sound of Torah reverberated, bursting forth through the windows of the zal.
After an hour and a half of learning, the gabbai announced a break for the davening of Kabbalas Shabbos. When the davening was over the gabbai rose again and announced that they would now read the holy letter from the Rebbe.
With measured, dignified steps, the Rebbe Rayatz went up on the platform. To his right and left were the two mashgichim of the yeshiva, of the sidrei Chassidus and Nigleh. The sight was reminiscent of the Rebbe’s shofar blowing, when he stood on the platform with a retinue of distinguished Chassidim around him. There was a rustling noise as hundreds of talmidim, as one, stood up respectfully, as is fitting when listening to the words of the Rebbe.
The Rebbe Rayatz began to slowly read the letter out loud. Each word was gold and every letter a shimmering pearl.
Boruch Hashem, Wednesday, Kislev 16, 5662. Moscow.
My son, gather on the upcoming 19 Kislev those who learn and their leaders and teachers and mashgichim and rejoice with the joy of the holiday on which “He redeemed our soul in peace,” and our soul’s illumination and vitality were given to us, this day of Rosh HaShana for Chassidus bequeathed us by our sacred forebears, identical with the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov.
“This day is the beginning of Your works,” the fulfillment of the true intention behind the creation of man on earth, which is to call forth revelation of the light of the inward part of our holy Torah.
On this day, that light is called forth, in a general way, for the entire year. It is our duty, on this day, to awaken our hearts with an innermost, elemental desire and will, in the very core of our heart, that G-d illuminate our souls with the light of His Inner Torah.
“From the depths I called to You, O G-d,” to elicit the depth and inwardness of G-d’s Torah and G-d’s mitzvos from the inwardness and essence of the Infinite (May He be blessed), to illuminate the inwardness of our souls. That all our being (meaning our total existence, the essence and the extensions) be devoted to Him alone, to banish from within us any of the natural traits that are evil and unworthy. Instead, all our works and affairs (our Avoda, meaning davening and Torah and mitzvos, and our worldly undertakings necessary for the maintenance of the body), be with sincere intention for the sake of Heaven, as G-d wishes.
May G-d the Merciful Father have compassion upon us and lead us along the good and righteous path and may we “see His face in uprightness” (T’hillim 11:7).
Upon concluding the letter, the talmidim sat down and began to sing an old Chassidic melody, one that pierces the hearts and burrows into the soul. The sound of the niggun poured forth sweetly, and as it was sung simultaneously by hundreds of bachurim, the sound was especially powerful and uplifting.
It was at this particular farbrengen, one without the Rebbe’s attendance, that the Chassidim merited an exceedingly lofty revelation of light in the form of the Rebbe’s letter. It revealed, for the first time, that Yud-Tes Kislev is “Rosh HaShana L’Chassidus.” This title has been used ever since for the Chag HaChagim.
At 6:45, R’ Dov Zev, rav of Yekaterinoslav began to tell the story of the arrest and Geula. He described the anguish of the Chassidim at the time that the Alter Rebbe was taken away; the pain, the sorrow, the tears. He recounted the story until the part about the Rebbe’s release from imprisonment in the Petropavelskaya fortress. He went on to describe the somersaults that the Chassidim made in the snowy streets of Petersburg and the joy that enveloped them all.
When he reached this part, he took a Tanya and began to read the letter which the Alter Rebbe wrote, known as Kotonti. As he read it, it seemed as though the Alter Rebbe was present in the yeshiva zal and was reciting the letter to them.
The talmidim all bent over their Tanyas, looking at the holy letters, and learning from the teachings of the Baal HaGeula. They all listened intently, silence prevailed, and only the occasional sparking from the thousands of candles could be heard.
When R’ Dov Zev was finished, the old Chassid, R’ Shmuel Betzalel rose. He had seen many Yud-Tes Kislevs in his life, but this was the first time in his life that he merited to hear this astonishing revelation that the Rebbe Rashab had written, that this was not merely a holiday but Rosh HaShana L’Chassidus.
Rashbatz raised a cup for l’chaim and his voice shook with emotion. The talmidim watched, entranced by this elderly Chassid who had seen the Tzemach Tzedek.
“Exceedingly lofty and elevated is this day of celebration,” he began. “If not for this day, the redemption and freedom of our great and holy Rebbe, we would not know Hashem, the Giver of the Torah, because Rabbeinu HaKadosh taught us to know Hashem, our Maker. We ought to rejoice on this luminous day and as per the words of our luminary, the Rebbe Shlita – that this day is Rosh HaShana L’Chassidus and the day of the revelation of the inward part of Torah. Therefore, we ought to give thanks and praise to Hashem who did not deprive us of an offshoot of the Alter Rebbe.
“T’mimim! We have the Rebbe who stands and serves before the people of G-d to teach them knowledge of Torah and of G-d, the Giver of the Torah; our Nasi and teacher who shows us wonders as in the days of the Alter Rebbe, to return the hearts of the beloved children to their Father in heaven. I raise my cup to the life of our Rebbe, and with all power of my soul I say: Yechi Rabbeinu L’olam! May Hashem fortify his strength and the power of his arm to bear aloft the tower of light to illuminate the earth and those who dwell upon it until the coming of Moshiach!”
A powerful response could be heard from one end of the room to the other: Amen! Yechi Rabbeinu L’olam! May the fellowship of Tomchei T’mimim and all its leaders live on forever!
All felt that these special moments were not only for the young Chassidim but also for the older Chassidim who sat at the dais. All raised their cups in l’chaim and wished one another heartfelt brachos for the new year, the upcoming Chassidishe year.
After a brief break, the meal began and lasted until two o’clock in the morning. There was plentiful food and drink, as is fitting for the Chag HaChagim. At the end of the meal, all danced joyously.
At three in the morning, the Rebbe Rayatz rose and blessed all present, and with great love parted from the guests and talmidim. He turned to leave as the talmidim preceded him and stood in two straight, long rows at the entrance, and as he went out they began to sing “Ki B’simcha Seitzei’u.” This is how they escorted him home.
“All the guests tremendously enjoyed the magnificent celebration (except for the city school teacher who also passed by to see the sight. He was consumed by envy and the rays of light were like swords and spears to his eyes). The celebration also had a very positive effect on the talmidim for they were drawn close to the service of Hashem and to increase in their diligent study of Torah with faith and sincerity.” This is how the Chassid R’ Moshe Rosenblum, the Rebbe Rayatz’s secretary, concluded his description.
PART V
Since the great revelation of Kislev 5662, the Chassidim began referring to Yud-Tes Kislev as “Rosh HaShana L’Chassidus.” In later years, the traditional formulation for Yud-Tes Kislev was established: “Gut Yom Tov. L’shana Tova in the learning of Chassidus and the ways of Chassidus, may you be written and inscribed.”
The Chassidic calendar known as the HaYom Yom begins and ends with Yud-Tes Kislev. The reason for this, wrote the Rebbe Rayatz, is “based on a letter of my father, the Rebbe, about the Chag HaChagim which is Rosh HaShana L’Chassidus Chabad.” (As an aside, in a photocopy of the manuscript of the HaYom Yom, you can see that the Rebbe MH”M ended it with the blessing of “Gut Yom Tov” and the Rebbe Rayatz added, in a handwritten note “L’shana Tova B’limud HaChassidus V’darkei HaChassidus.”)
When the Chassidim who lived in Brisk received the Rebbe Rashab’s letter in which he called Yud-Tes Kislev the Chassidic Rosh HaShana, they considered establishing Purim Katan as a day of rejoicing to make up for the previous Yud-Tes Kislev. When the Gaon, R’ Chaim Brisker heard about this he said, “You don’t mix one simcha with another. The Yom Tov of Yud-Tes Kislev is worthy of its own blessing.”
The Chassidim in Kremenchug (upon receipt of the letter) made three days of rejoicing (16, 17, and 18 of Shvat) and the rabbanim who belonged to the Poilishe Chassidim, such as Rabbi Yisroel Yaakov and R’ Terchinski, danced without their jackets on. They said: Chabad, Boruch Hashem, is alive. May Chagas (i.e. Poilishe Chassidim) live too.
The Chassidim in Vilna held a large festive meal as soon as they received the Rebbe’s letter. One of the Vilna rabbanim, who heard about the meal the Chassidim were having and that they referred to Yud-Tes Kislev as a Rosh HaShana, told the gaon Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzenski about this and criticized the Chassidim saying that in the Mishna only four Roshei Shonim are mentioned, and the Chassidim were making a fifth. R’ Chaim Ozer said, “By them, more is added and by us, there is a decrease.”