Newly Published: Sefer Hamaamorim—Yud Beis Tammuz

A newly published sefer from Vaad Hanochos Belahak includes all of the Rebbe’s maamorim said in connection with Yud-Beis–Yud-Gimmel Tammuz.

Ninety-one years ago, in 5687 (1927), the Frierdiker Rebbe was released from his imprisonment in the hands of the Soviets for spreading Torah and Yiddishkeit. At that time, the Frierdiker Rebbe said a total of five maamorim, delivered while in exile and on the Shabbos after his release. He also delivered a famous sichah while at the train station, awaiting the train that would take him to Kostrama. The Frierdiker Rebbe later transcribed these maamorim himself.

Each year of his nesius without exception, the Rebbe would farbreng in honor of Yud-Beis–Yud-Gimmel Tammuz. During the farbrengen the Rebbe would deliver a maamar, elaborating on one of the above-mentioned maamorim of the Frierdiker Rebbe. Sometimes, during farbrengens held adjacent in time to the chag hageulah, the Rebbe would deliver a Yud-Beis-Tammuz-related maamar well.

In light of the high acclaim received by the newest series of Toras Menachem—Maamorim al pi Seder Parshiyos U’Moadim—the staff of Vaad Hanochos Belahak, directed by Rabbi Chaim Shaul Brook, is proud to present the most recent addition to the set: Sefer Hamaamorim Yud-Beis Tammuz.

This sefer, which includes all seventy-seven maamorim said by the Rebbe in connection with Yud-Beis–Yud-Gimmel Tammuz, has just arrived in the Kehot bookstores in Crown Heights and Kfar Chabad, as well as in other selected Judaica stores throughout the world. In honor of this printing, many of these maamorim appear in a new and revised format.

So far, the series features seven volumes: (1) Sefer Hamaamorim—Derushei Chasunah. (2) Sefer Hamaamorim—Yud-Tes Kislev. (3-4) Sefer Hamaamorim—Basi Legani. (5) Sefer Hamaamorim—Purim. (6-7) Sefer Hamaamorim—Yud-Alef Nissan.

Sefer Hamaamorim Yud-Beis Tammuz is the eighth and most recent volume in the series. A conversation with Rabbi Brook reveals that the Vaad is presently preparing a ninth volume—Sefer Hamaamorim: Chanukah, which will be available, b’ezras Hashem, in time for Chanukah 5779.

The sefer (totaling 560 pages) also includes a summary of each maamar, to aid in studying and memorizing the maamorim and internalizing their messages.

The importance of studying the Rebbe’s maamorim can be seen from a letter dated 9 Nissan 5717:

Our Rebbeim have taught us that true hiskashrus is achieved through studying the Rebbe’s maamorim and sichos and fulfilling his takanos (Hayom Yom, 27 Sivan). When we do this—and most importantly, when we spread the wellsprings of Chassidus and its directives and customs—we become connected to the Tree of Life, via our Rebbeim all the way up to the Alter Rebbe, the Maggid and the Baal Shem Tov. They are a memutza hamekasher, a medium that connects us to Atzmus U’Mehus Ein Sof Boruch Hu.

The new sefer was also distributed as a teshurah last week at the wedding of Sholom and Hindi Lazar (nee Farkash) [from Moscow, Russia, and Buenos Aires, Argentina, respectively], courtesy of the kallah’s grandfather, Rabbi Eliezer Chaim Lapidos, well-known for his generous assistance in publishing the Rebbe’s torah.