Weekly Story: Reflections Rosh Chodesh Kislev

by Rabbi Sholom DovBer Avtzon 

In this week’s post I am noting some of the thoughts that I mentioned last Shabbos in honor of the Kinus Hashluchim, as well as connecting it to my father HaRav Meir A”H, whose yahrzeit was this past Thursday, erev Rosh Chodesh.

As always, your feedback and comments are greatly appreciated and most welcomed. 

This week’s post is l’zechus Cheyena bas Mushka, may she merit a swift and complete Refuah.

Kinus HaShuluchim, always takes place on the Shabbos before Rosh Chodesh Kislev, which is the day that we all saw that the Rebbe was on his way to a full recovery. As that is the first time in five weeks that the Rebbe was going home, after suffering and enduring the heart attack on Shemini Atzeres. That occurred in 5738 (1977), forty-eight years ago.

Last week when one was walking on the streets of Crown Heights on Erev Shabbos, or  entering any Shul or store, even without anyone saying a word, it is noticeable that the Rebbe’s vision is alive and vibrant. Boruch Hashem, Crown Heights is packed with the Rebbe’s Shluchim, their sons and some with their families, and some of their supporters.

Seeing this reminded me of a sicha the Rebbe said in connection to Merkos Shlichus.

Two bochurim went on Merkos Shlichus that included a city in the south. After the few week stint, they (like all who go on Merkos Shlichus) informed the Rebbe of the Jewish environment in the towns and cities they visited and what they accomplished there. 

When it came to one town, they sadly noted that they didn’t meet anyone and subsequently the day was wasted, as they accomplished absolutely nothing. The Rebbe noted that he received a letter from an elderly woman who lives in that town, stating that her grandchildren were by the window and began laughing. In reply to her question of what just happened that is so funny, they replied that they just say two young men that look like monkeys or apes.

Going over to the window she didn’t see them, but realized from the description her grandchildren gave,  that they must be yeshiva students or young Rabbis and rushed down the steps to ask them as to where is the closest place to obtain Jewish (kosher) products and similar questions about how she can observe Judaism in this town?

However, she couldn’t find them and finally was able to find out that they are students of Lubavitch, so she is asking the Rebbe the questions she hoped to ask them. The Rebbe concluded they inspired someone just by their presence.

Just as that lady was inspired and revived just by seeing two bochurim, even though they did not realize that she was looking for them and trying to speak to them, the same thing is here;  when we look Boruch Hashem at the thousands of shiluchim that came in, realizing that many others could not come in for various reasons, that inspires us and made us proud.

The same thing is with each one of us in our daily life. When people see a Jew, especially when they see someone who is dressed as a religious Jew and or as a Chassidic Jew, based on what they see they are going to form an opinion about Judaism and Chassidim.

In simple words that means, without meaning or thinking we are able and definitely going to create a Kiddish Hashem or G-d forbid the opposite. This applies to all Lubavitchers, whether we dress the dress or not, people have a canny ability to know and recognize that each one of us is a chossid of the Rebbe, and that we are all Lubavitchers. They do not make a differentiation between one and the other, who  is chassidish and who is not. To them we are the Lubavitchers. 

One of the famous idioms of the Rebbe is “Tapuroo Tiplachu”, the main point is: it must come down into action?

In other words, while the above-mentioned concept is not new to anyone, Chassidus demands that we bring down every concept into action, and it doesn’t stay in the realm of mere thought or talk. Here I would like to mention two points that each one of us can apply. 

A. A sizable amount of Anash for whatever reason are not on Shlichus. Many of us who are living in Crown Heights and elsewhere are earning a living in various ways. However, that does not mean to say that we are not able to be part of, participate and be active members in the Rebbe’s Army of spreading Yiddishkeit and bringing every Jew closer to Hashem.

I am not referring to the very important aspect of supporting members of our family, friends who are on the Rebbe’s Shlichus and shiluchim in general and thereby creating a Zevulan and Yissachor partnership. But I am speaking about how we ourselves could take on the role of a shliach, for part of our week. 

Just like the bochurim in the Yeshiva, the whole week they are in the yeshiva learning and on Fridays or Erev Yom Tov they go on Mivtzoyim. The Rebbe calls them the Tankistim, and it was through them, that at many farbrengens he distributed dollars to everyone that was in 770. 

So out of the 168 hours a week, on an average week they went on Mivtzoyim for 4 to 6 hours a week. That is just 3 to 4 % of the week, yet the Rebbe stated clearly that they are his ambassadors. So each one of us also, has the opportunity to give away parts of our week, to be active participants in Mivtzoyim and be considered an ambassador of the Rebbe.

This can be accomplished in so many different ways. Weather it is to go to associates that we know of and ask them to put on tefillin or fulfill another mitzvah. Or to give a class to someone that does not know too much about Torah, which can easily be accomplished by contacting JNET. You may even create another class in Crown Heights or wherever you live, as that’s also Mivtza Torah that the Rebbe demanded of us. At those moments we are totally devoted to conduct ourselves in the mode of a shliach.

[However, I should note, during that time, whether it is for thirty minutes or an hour and half, at that moment we are Chayolei Beis Dovid, totally devoted to the cause of bringing Moshiach, and we are not going to be distracted from it by anything. As the Rebbe Rashab noted in his famous sicha, that at that time each soldier separates themself from everything else.

However, I will add, a man  must first ask his wife as to which time slot fits into her schedule!] 

B. We commemorate Rosh Chodesh Kislev, because of what occurred 48 years ago. By now I would be justified to say that at least 60% of Lubavitchers are under the age of 48. In other words, they were not alive when the Rebbe went home for the first time after the heart attack in 5738.

Additionally, it’s over 30 years since Gimmel Tammuz. When the younger generation see how we conduct ourselves on this and other special occasions, as well as how we live our everyday life, that influences them. Yes, many of us don’t consider ourselves as role models, mashpiim, teachers, Etc. However, in the eyes of others that is exactly who we are! This applies especially to our children!

So every action that we do, is scrutinized by our peers, family members, and others who are trying to figure out what is the conduct of a chossid supposed to be. When they enter a shul and they see us or other people learning before and after davening, that influences them. When they see a minyan davening not in a rush, that influences them. When they see how many people of the minyan come to say tehillim on Shabbos Mevorchim, and how many more people come just for Hodu that influences them! In other words, our walk and talk and our conduct is seen by others and that makes an impression on them. As the Rambam writes, a wise person is noticed in the way he walks, talks, eats, etc. 

So being that we all had an inspiring Shabbos Mevorchim Rosh Chodesh Kislev and we all each in our own ways resolved to conduct ourselves in a way that would make the Rebbe proud, let us realize that someone is going to notice details of our everyday actions and that not only could, but definitely would influence them.

Furthermore, our children have to feel that Rosh Chodesh Kislev is their Yom Tov, and not that they are celebrating their parents Yom Tov.

But you or they may ask, the younger generation weren’t alive when that happened, so how can it belong to them?

Just look at how many things in Lubavitch that we rely on and are taken for granted, were initiated by the Rebbe after his miraculous recovery in 5738.

For example, in 5740, the Rebbe encouraged that there be Lag B’Omer parades in every city, as well as making periodical gatherings of youngsters. He also stressed the importance that even infants hear the Aseres Hadibros.

Then in 5741, the Rebbe established Tzivos Hashem and requested that all children acquire a letter in a Sefer Torah. Additionally, being that it was a year of Hahel, even infants should participate in the Simchas Beis Hashoeiva.

In addition to this and other things that were geared towards children, there are somethings that we all benefit from, that weren’t available before then.

The Rebbe’s Igros, which many turn to for guidance, was published after 5738, most of the videos that we have of the Rebbe are also from this period, this goes as well to the dollars that the rebbe started giving out on a very regular and often basis, and so many other things.

Through all of these actions, even those who are born after Gimmel Tammuz have some tangible way to experience a connection to the Rebbe.

How many more sichos and especially Maamaorim that the Rebbe personally reviewed and edited are available from after 5738.

So therefore, while we all have what to be thankful for, it is our youth who especially have what to be thankful for. So celebrate Rosh Chodesh Kislev, as your Yom Tov, on Friday Rosh Chedesh itself and extend it throughout Shabbos and into the entire year.

My father inspired many people by teaching them Chassidus. However, his mere presence and conduct as a Chassidishe Yid, inspired way more people. They recognized that he was real. Everything he did personified a frum Jew as well as a Chossid of the Rebbe.

Just a few weeks ago, a Detroiter met one of my brothers and said, You should know that after the minyan finished, we left the shul and went upstairs, as if we were going to eat the Shabbos seudah. However, you should know that our father, who was the Rov of the shul would come down the steps on the side of the house and sit quietly in the ezras noshim, sometimes for an hour and a half, just to listen how a chossid davens.

A Taste of Chassidus Ri’eh Rei’ach Bih’ne Torah Ohr 20b 

In this week’s parsha we see that Yitzchok desired to bless Esau. However, Rivkah told Yaakov to go to his father instead of Esau and receive those blessings. 

We have to understand a few things. We know that Yitzchok wanted to bless Esau because he loved him. The question is why did he love him more than he loved Yaakov? 

Yes, we were taught that Esau fooled him by asking, how does one give a tithe on salt and similar questions. However, when Yaakov came to him, he said, this is the voice of Yaakov and the hands of Esau. So we see, that Yitzchok knew that Esau does not mention Hashem’s name and Yakov does. That means, he knew Esau wasn’t really a righteous person, and Yitzchok wasn’t fooled by Esau’s questions. So that brings us back to our original question, why did he want to specifically bless Esau and not Yaakov? 

The Alter Rebbe explains that Esau had a special spiritual connection to Yitzchok. This was borne out when Esau tried to stop Yaakov’s sons from burying Yaakov in the Meoras HaMachpeilla. One of Yaakov’s grandsons was upset at the delay and took a club and knocked off Esau’s head and it rolled and stopped by the feet of Yitzchok. So you see there is an intrinsic connection between them. And by understanding that connection, we would realize why Yitzchok wanted to specifically bless Esau.

Our sages inform us that Avrohom, who represents the sphere of kindness, had an offshoot and that was Yishmael. Yitzchok, who represents the sphere of strength also had an offshoot and that was Esau. While Yaakov who represented the sphere of beauty and Torah had no offshoot, as all of his children were tzaddikim. 

We know that everything that exists can exist, only if it has a source of holiness. 

When the ten sefiros come to life, they feel the holiness of their source of life and become humble and nullify themselves to it. However, when the ten attributes of evil come alive, they don’t incorporate their source in them, rather it hovers above them. So they and their source are like two different entities.

Therefore, when we are speaking about Esau’s source, he asks the righteous question of how does one tithe salt. However, when you are talking about Esau himself, as he exists in this world, Hashem’s name is not uttered by him.

Yitzchok’s intent was to connect Esau to his holy source, and that can only be accomplished by elevating Esau. Thereby elevating all the tremendous good that is in him to G-dliness.[1] And he was hoping to accomplish this by giving Esau such exalted blessings.[2] As the possuk notes that Yitzchok said to Esau, I will bless you before Hashem, and Chassidus points out that when the possuk says before, it means a level higher than that point.[3] Hashem represents seder hishtalshilus, (as the four letters represent the four spiritual worlds, and the ten sefiros), so higher than that is before or higher than seder hishtalshilus. 

If that is the case, why didn’t Hashem want Yitzchok to bless Esau?

The Alter Rebbe explains, one of two things would have happened. Either, Esau wouldn’t connect to that level of holiness, just as he doesn’t connect to the regular level that his source radiates. Or that being that it is a much higher level (dosage) of G-dliness, he will become completely nullified (non-existent), and if he doesn’t become nullified he will utilize that higher level of G-dliness in even a greater destructive manner.[4] 

Our mission is that the spirit of evil should transform into good. That the evil actions should no longer be in the world, but not to destroy the one who did evil. That person has to be elevated.[5]

True change [ishapcha in Chassidic terminology] is that the enemy stops hating and changes into an ally. That change in Esau can only be successfully achieved by Yaakov, who lowered himself into this physical and materialistic world and still served Hashem properly. So figuratively speaking, Yaakov put himself into Esau’s shoes and situation.

That is why we see that the first thing Yitzchok did was to smell Yaakov’s garments, which in truth were Esau’s. When he smelled the smell of Gan Eden, he saw that Esau began working on himself and therefore his brocha will succeed.[6]

However, in order for one to become connected to what is higher than them, the person must desire and toil to accomplish this. Yitzchok, who thought that Esau was standing in front of him, smelled that the bitterness (evil) of Esau was being toiled upon and therefore, he went ahead to bless him, knowing that it would succeed.

However, Esau wasn’t connected to his source, so he couldn’t strive to connect himself to it, only by Yaakov who was striving to connect Himself to his source, but was able to perceive Esau’s turmoil of not being able to, he would be in a position to help Esau to ultimately become connected to the source.

This is represented by Yaakov being dressed in Esau’s garments. That symbolizes that Yaakov put himself in Esau’s situation and toiled to help Esau elevate himself.

Compiler’s note: This concept can be seen by the famous story of the Mitteler Rebbe, that once when he was in middle of a Yechidus, he suddenly stopped and tearfully began saying Tehillim. A few days later he explained, that in order to help that person, he had to find in some refined and remote manner that “fault” within him himself. So he toiled until he found it.

So it is not just a willingness to help others, but when you are helping them, try to understand where they are coming from and look at the situation from their perspective. If you can see their vision, then your help will be a lasting one.

The question then becomes, being that Yitzchok prepared this brocha custom made to elevate Esau, how can it be the perfect appropriate bricha for Yaakov.

Now that I got you interested, feel free to continue learning the maamar itself.

Rabbi Avtzon is a veteran mechanech and the author of numerous books on the Rebbeim and their chassidim. He is aviable to farbreng in your community and can be contacted at avtzonbooks@gmail.com

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[1] As the vast majority of converts come from Esau and not Yishmael. Such as Reb Meir, Onkelous, Shimayu and Avtalyon.

[2] In the maamar the Alter Rebbe compares this to when the sun shines down onto the earth. The stronger the sun rays are, the more water evaporates and goes up to heaven (the clouds). So too Yitzchok was hoping that by bestowing such powerful brochos it will cause an elevation in Esau.

[3] By Yom Kippur the possuk states, “Before Hashem you shall purify yourself. There also Chassidus explains that the forgiveness comes from a source that is higher than Seder Hishtalshilus.

[4] As Chassidus explains, the higher the spark of Holiness is, the lower it can descend.

[5] So even if you would say, that If Yitzchok would have actually blessed Esau with the revelation of such a lofty level of G-dliness, it would have succeeded in changing his conduct. While the evil would have ceased to operate, as it would have been overwhelmed, it wouldn’t have been transformed, rather the evil would had been inspired to act differently. It would have changed because some power took control of it, but it essentially remained the same.

[6] The Alter Rebbe explains that is why only by Korbonos (sacrifices) and the Ketores (incense) and not by any other mitzva, we find the expression of a good smell; for korbonos represent  the transformation of bad inclinations etc., to now serve Hashem.