For centuries, Chabad Hasidim have celebrated the release from prison of the first two Chabad Rebbes – Rabbi Shneur-Zalman of Ladi on the 19th of Kislev, and his son, the 'Middle Rebbe' on the 19th of Kislev. It is customary to sing a special melody on these days, composed by Hasidim in the first generations, based on the words from the Book of Psalms: "I have redeemed my soul in peace from my enemies, for many have been my support.".
And suddenly these words take on a chilling meaning. At the sight of the kidnapped women and children returning home safe and sound (for the most part) – a prayer of thanks to God bursts forth from the heart, "Peda beshlom nafshi'. This was achieved thanks to 'mikrav li' – the dedication and determination of the warriors, who forced the cruel enemy to release its prey from its jaws.
But the work must continue until it is finished – the destruction of the enemy, the return of all the hostages, and the creation of a new reality that will finally remove the threat from the Gaza Strip. This is also stated in the following verses of the Psalmist in the same chapter: "But you, O God, will bring them down to the pit of corruption; bloody and deceitful men – their days will not be prolonged." Meanwhile, we draw our strength from our confidence in the Creator of the world and its Leader – "And I will trust in you"!
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The partitions collapsed.
On the 19th of Kislev, we celebrate the dawning of Hasidism. One of the basic things that Hasidism emphasizes is the ability to adopt an internal view of things and not just see the external picture. Hasidism teaches us how to look at a Jew. Even someone who seems distant from Jewish matters is, on the inside, very close. He has a divine soul, and it is the essence of his reality. All we need to do is remove the dust and discover the Jewish point in him.
These days we see this interiority in its full force. Masses of Jews who were supposedly considered far from the concepts of faith and Judaism suddenly express an enormous connection to it. See the lines at the tefillin-laying stands. The demand for Shabbat candles. The thirst to learn and get to know the origins of Judaism. It didn't come out of nowhere. This faith was always inside, and now it has burst forth.
Suddenly it became clear that all the divisions into 'tribes' and all the artificial partitions that they have tried to establish here in recent years - have no substance. Suddenly, the realization entered our hearts that we are one people, that we are all Jews. This realization also permeates the Jews of the world, and even those who have tried to assimilate and blend in among the Gentiles. Now they too feel their Jewishness.
Connect to the light
The 19th of Kislev invites us all to draw from the light and springs of Hasidism, and to begin to see the inner meaning in everything. Hasidism enlivens the soul; saturates the mind with a profound understanding of the greatness of the Creator, and the profound meaning of the Torah and its commandments; inspires joy and enthusiasm in the work of the Creator.
The Tanya, written by Rabbi Shneur-Zalman of Ladi, is the foundational book of Hasidism, and upon it are based hundreds of books and thousands of articles, which expand on the matters and bring them into a profound Mishnah that sheds new light on all of life. These treasures are placed before you. Therefore, we wish all the House of Israel, as is the custom of the Hasidic: Happy Holidays! May you have a good year in the study of Hasidism and in the ways of Hasidism, be written and signed.
