Tanya Printed in Ben Federman’s Home

Tanya, the foundational work of the Chabad movement written by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi and first published in 1797, was printed by Chabad Center of Kendall led by Rabbi Yossi & Nechama Harlig at the home of Ben and Rochel Federman in Pinecrest, FL.

Numerous people from the community joined us at this Fabrengen and printing of the Tanya. The Tanya has never before been printed in Pinecrest. Its printing will inspire more community members to join us in our study of the Tanya and Kabbalah.

As Chabad of Kendall/Pinecrest, is always striving to expand its community outreach. Many attend daily and weekly services and participate in Chabad’s programs such as the Friendship Circle, Bar and Bat Mitzvah Club, Chai Five Mitzvah Club, Hebrew School, Living Legacy and the Jewish Learning Institute. But it is one of Chabad’s newest ventures, a weekly Torah study class held each Thursday evening at the Federman home, which led to the printing of the Tanya. The continued growth has led to much excitement in the community and the starting of a satellite Shabbat Minyan, demonstrating Chabad’s commitment to connect to all Jews in Kendall and Pinecrest.

Many people throughout the community look forward to studying from that Tanya each Thursday evening as well as each morning after services at Chabad of Kendall/Pinecrest. Tanya lays down the practical and mystical fundamentals of the Chabad Chassidism philosophy and serves as a handbook for Jewish daily spiritual life. Tanya gives us the insight to understand and overcome our daily struggles and helps us to raise ourselves to higher spiritual levels.

The date of the Tanya printing in Pinecrest, the nineteenth day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, is significant. It is celebrated as the “Rosh Hashanah of Chassidism” because it was on this date in 1798 that Rabbi Schneur Zalman, the founder of Chabad Chassidism, was freed from his imprisonment in czarist Russia.

Although the public teachings of Chassidism had begun two generations earlier, Rabbi Schneur Zalman went much farther than his predecessors to bring this wisdom to broader segments of the Jewish population in Eastern Europe. In the fall of 1798, he was arrested and imprisoned on charges that his teachings threatened the imperial authority of the czar.

After 53 days of interrogation, Rabbi Schneur Zalman was exonerated of all charges and released on 19 Kislev. Following his liberation, he began delivering his teachings on a broader scale. This day therefore marks the birth of Chassidism.

Chabad is all about growth and reaching out to more people. The printing of this holy book will help to spread the beauty of Judaism and connect the community to their heritage. Chabad invites everyone to join in the study of the Tanya each morning after services at the Chabad of Kendall/Pinecrest and to the Torah study class held each Thursday evening at the Federman home.