י”ד כסלו: A Day To Take To Heart
by Mrs. Rochel Kaplan, Director Mikvah Mei Menachem of Baltimore
On Yad Kislev 1928 The Rebbe united with The Rebbetzen in marriage. This day is a day of celebration for all Chassidim who are mekushar to our Rebbe and Rebbetzen. We are their spiritual children who feel and experience their bond, a bond which is our essential core התקשרות, בלב ונפש.
Very important is the example they set for us, as regards practical הנהגות, modeled from בית רבי.
Children observe the relationship of their parents and take cues and direction as befits them. Despite the fact that our Rebbe and Rebbetzen were very private and משכן מושביך
is sacred and apart from the צבור, there is so much that we learn from the הנהגות in the life of a נשיא. None of the הנהגות are minor פרטי פרטים. Rather מעשה אבות סימן לבנים. On the day of their Anniversary, we celebrate with L’Chaim to merit the day that made it all begin which determined The Rebbe’s נשיאות.
How truly lucky we are, as Chassidim and as children, to know that the Rebbe’s נשיאות was actualized through “נשיא דורינו”, in a familial way, through their marriage, soul to soul. On the 14th of Kislev 1953 at a farbrengen marking his 25th wedding anniversary, the Rebbe said to his Chassidim: “This is the day that bound me to you, and you to me.”
How lucky we are to observe and witness the respect, the love, and friendship that models for all of us, a marriage of holy proportion. With all the Rebbe’s demanding day to day devoted leadership tasks to the world at large, his source of strength, honor, peace, and so much more was with the Rebbetzen, עקרת הבית, אשת חיל עטרת בעלה. Their quality of endearment and oneness, is a gift to us.
On this special Anniversary day, we need to take to heart, in celebration, the “Jewish marriage” of קדושה וטהרה to bring honor to our homes, our family unit, and the congregation of the Jewish nation.
Jewish marriage is the dynamic of קודשא בריך הוא ושכינתיה which demands of us greater commitment to שלום בית, and creating a מקדש מעט in our homes amongst the Jewish people. It is a reminder to refresh and invigorate בית נאמן בישראל על יסודי התורה והמצווה כפי שהם מוארים וכו.
May this day bring special blessing to all who seek Shidduchim in joy and happiness.
May we merit to be reunited with our Rebbe and Rebbetzen with the coming of Moshiach- עוד ישמע.
