Weekly Dvar Torah: Gut Yom Tov Chassidim
The Rebbe writes in the Hayom Yom, that for Yud Tes Kislev we should wish each other:
גוּט יוֹם טוֹב. לְשָׁנָה טוֹבָה בְּלִמּוּד הַחֲסִידוּת וְדַרְכֵי הַחֲסִידוּת תִּכָּתֵבוּ וְתֵחָתֵמוּ.
Gut Yom-Tov! May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year in the study of Chassidus and the paths of Chassidus.
Our Rebbeiim make it clear that Chassidim have a unique calendar which starts on the 19th of Kislev, hence the calendar of the Hayom Yom. And Yud Tes Kislev is our unique Rosh Hashana. Therefore, just as before Rosh Hashana we wish each other a good year, Chassidim wish each other a good year for successful study of Chassidus, and a good year walking the paths of Chassidus. It’s all about Chassidus.
What are we celebrating?
When the Alter Rebbe was in prison, he was quite happy. He had great company, the Baal-Shem-Tov and the Maggid, came to visit, and they were with him all the time. On a personal level the Alter Rebbe had the best time of his life being all alone with his holy mentors. When he was freed from prison, he was not eager to leave his most pleasurable place. But he was instructed by his teachers to go, because he had a mission to do, to teach and spread Chassidus, and this he could do only out of prison.
In one word, Chassidus is all about ‘Bittul,’ total self-nullification. It’s not about me, but it’s about what G-d wants from me. There is no other existence but G-d and He wants me to reveal G-dliness in the world. The Alter Rebbe subjugated himself to the will of G-d, and he gave up his personal G-dly spiritual pleasures, just so that he would do what G-d wants from him.
Chassidus teaches why G-d created the world. Chassidus teaches why G-d put me here in this world. Chassidus teaches that I matter, and that G-d, so to speak, needs me. Chassidus tells me why to get out of bed each morning.
When Jews in Europe were demoralized and broken after the devastations of the Khmelnitsky gangs, the Besht infused them with life by telling them that every Jew has value in the eyes of G-d, even if he’s not a Torah scholar. Because the Besht saw the Neshama as a part of the essence of G-d.
When the enlightenment sought to water down and destroy the Jewish educational system, it was the Tzemach Tzedek who stood up like a lion to fight the Czarist government to successfully thwart all these efforts, because he saw how the essence of a Jew is connected to G-d and His Torah.
When the Communists tried to eradicate the practice of Judaism in the Soviet Union, it was the Frierdiker Rebbe who stood up to the soviets with total self-sacrifice. It was his effort through his Chassidim, that outlasted 70 years of persecution to keep the Jewish flame alive.
When Judaism didn’t find its footing in free America, it was the Rebbe who empowered his Shluchim to go and seek out every Jew with love, to bring back Judaism in America and worldwide. Because Chassidus imbues every Chassid with the knowledge of how precious a Jew is.
Chassidus teaches children that G-d is right there with them to always protect them. And that in the merit of their pure souls, the world is protected.
Chassidus empowers women, because it teaches that they are the manifestation of G-d’s infinite powers in this world. They are as equal, and in many aspects more equal, than men.
Chassidus teaches soldiers that when they go to war, they should know that G-d goes with them and trust that He will protect them. And that if they will be happy, they will always be victorious.
Chassidus gives you security, because it teaches that G-d who is everywhere is always with you. And when G-d is at your side you have nothing to fear.
Chassidus gives you an understanding of life. Chassidus gives you purpose. Chassidus gives you meaning. These are the paths in which a Chossid wants to travel.
We have a lot what to celebrate on this Yom Tov of the New Year of Chassidus. And for this we wish each other, that the year should be good in our study of Chassidus, as we enrich our lives with the teachings of Chassidus, and that it should be good travelling in the paths of Chassidus.
Happy New Year Chassidim.
Have a Shabbos of renewal and purpose,
Gut Shabbos Gut Yom Tov
Rabbi Yosef Katzman
