WHAT DOES CHAF BEIS SHVAT MEAN TO YOU?

As we reflect lets consider what the Rebbe will be thinking of at this special time of year.

Dear Reader sh’yichyeh

This week we commemorate the 26th Yahrtzait of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka on 22 Shevat. There is much to say and learn from her life and especially her absolute dedication to her husband, the Rebbe. Much has been spoken of her Mesiras Nefesh for the continuation of Chassidus Chabad, as she “gave up” her husband - and she had no physical children - to Klal Yisroel. 

While the above is true and important, we must remember how the Rebbe looks at this special day. In the year 5752, the Rebbe spoke a few sichos regarding the various eras in the Nesius of the Frierdike Rebbe.

In the sicha of VaEira the Rebbe said: “The first period, forty years (5640-5680), was during the leadership of his father, when the finishing touches of the process of the spreading of the wellsprings commenced, particularly through the establishment of the Yeshiva Tomchei T’mimim (which was administered by his only son). This followed the pattern and is analogous to the Divine service of the Patriarchs, who prepared for and introduced the concept of the giving of the Torah.

“The second period includes the thirty years of his leadership during his lifetime in this world (5680-5710). During this period his unique innovation in his role as the leader of the teachings of Chabad Chassidus was his spreading of the wellsprings outward - outward in the most literal sense - to the extent that during his last ten years (the completion and perfection of his Divine service) the innovation in the spreading of the wellsprings outward reached the lower hemisphere (wherein the giving of the Torah did not occur). This followed the pattern and is analogous to the innovation of the giving of the Torah.

“In the third period, the continuation of the leadership after his elevation from the physical (from the eleventh day of the eleventh month of the eleventh year (5711), the spreading of the wellsprings outward increased, with greater strength and greater vigor, into all corners of the world, until the Divine service was completed and perfected. Everything is already prepared for the festive meal of the future - the days of Moshiach.”

On 22 Shevat 5752, the Rebbe spoke about the eras of his own nesius. In the words of the Rebbe: “The generation of the leader of our generation itself comprises several stages and periods. In general, there are three stages: 1. the tenth day of the eleventh month (10th of Shvat, 5710), the conclusion of the period of my sainted father-in-law’s Divine service during his life in this world; 2. the day after - the eleventh day of the eleventh month (the first complete day after his passing), particularly commencing with the eleventh year (5711), when the progression and innovation of a new period began, and ‘the lights were hung’ of the seventh generation from the Alter Rebbe (or the ninth generation from the Baal Shem Tov); 3. the period after the passing of the daughter of my sainted father-in-law on the twenty-second of the eleventh month (22 Shvat 5748).

“…The tenth day of the eleventh month is connected with and completes the Divine service of purifying the last ‘remnants’ of exile, ‘polishing the buttons.’

“…The day afterwards, the eleventh day of the eleventh month, signifies that in addition to and after the Divine service of the tenth day of the eleventh month, one has achieved and been elevated (according to the principle, ‘elevate in holiness’) to the revelation of the eleventh (day) as well.

“…One comes afterward to yet a higher level. After the Divine service of all the purifications has already been completed, and we have already also ‘polished the buttons,’ etc., we need only stand ready to receive our righteous Moshiach. This is the perfection of eleven (completely incomparable to ten)… as alluded to in 22 Shvat - eleven doubled.…After the 22nd of Shvat (the day of passing of his daughter), the last stage in preparing the world (as a dwelling place for G-d here below) for the Redemption has been accomplished. “

Rabbi Avtzon is the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Lubavitch Cincinnati and a well sought after speaker and lecturer. Recordings of his in-depth shiurim on Inyanei Geula u’Moshiach can be accessed at http://www.ylcrecording.com.