Kislev are dates that mark restoration of health, release from incarceration – and of course, the salvation, miracles and wonders of Chanukah. In recent times, the joy of Kislev was further augmented by the Rebbe’s marriage on Kislev 14 5689 (1928).
For that reason, Kislev is known as the “Chassidishe Month,” “Month of Redemption” and “Month of Joy.”
The entire month, however, is encapsulated in its first day (every month’s “vitality” is included in its “head”), making Rosh Chodesh a particularly auspicious occasion – a status greatly enhanced by the Rebbe’s return home after recovering from a heart attack on Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5738 (1978).
Joy and Redemption
ROSH CHODESH
The month of Kislev is a “Chassidishe Month,”² and, as Jewish communities worldwide have begun to recognize with ever-deepening appreciation, the entire month of Kislev is considered a “Month of Redemption.”³ of Kislev encapsulates the entire month, it therefore constitutes “the Rosh Chodesh of Redemption.”³
PADAH VESHALOM
Throughout Kislev, the Rebbe would instruct those present at his farbrengens to sing the special melody that has become synonymous with Kislev⁴ – Padah veshalom.⁵
Now, since the first day
Who does not know?! There is no need to explain ourselves when we state that Kislev is the “Chassidishe Month” – it is a simple fact, and is readily understood by every man, woman and child. Go speak with any child who was raised and educated in a chassidishe household and you will see that they are naturally aware that the month of Kislev is connected with chassidus. This is certainly the case in our generation, when a number of events that are associated with the teachings of chassidus have been added to the month of Kislev. [I.e., there are a number of auspicious days associated with the Rebbe – as listed above, fn. 1.] Nineteenth of Kislev Foremost among this month’s festivals is the nineteenth of Kislev, the anniversary of the histalkus (passing) of the Maggid, who is closely associated with the dissemination of the Torah’s inner dimension. It is also the anniversary of the Alter Rebbe’s Festival of Redemption, which marks the start of “disseminating the wellsprings” in earnest. From start to finish … There are many other events that came to pass in the month of Kislev … anyone who gives it a bit of thought will be able to think of many further examples. Moreover, the conclusion of Kislev is marked by Chanukah, the festival that was established to commemorate the miracle of the oil – significantly, “oil” represents the Torah’s inner teachings. (Night of Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5749; Hisvaaduyos, p. 373) Redemption and Rosh Chodesh … This is in addition to the fact that the Redemption is closely connected with the renewal of the moon that occurs on every Rosh Chodesh. (Parshas Toldos, 5752; Hisvaaduyos, p. 314) The spark of Moshiach that resides within every Jew is revealed on Rosh Chodesh ... and this revelation generates renewal in each person’s overall being [his whole metzius], as well as in the details of his daily life, causing a Jew’s every activity to be permeated with the highest soul-level, the yechidah. (Ibid., p. 123) The power of a niggun We will conclude with the melody padah veshalom; however, for the sake of order – to avoid confusion and the like – we will sing the melody only after distributing dollars for tzedakah. This announcement is nevertheless being made now, so that the distribution of tzedakah will be accomplished in a more superior and complete manner. (Kislev 9; Hisvaaduyos, p. 396). We will once again sing the melody unique to the month of Kislev – padah veshalom nafshi… (Kislev 10; Hisvaaduyos, p. 411). [In the year 5749 (1988), the Rebbe instructed that the melody pada veshalom be sung at his farbrengens repeatedly throughout Kislev, including the night of Rosh Chodesh Kislev; the third of Kislev (Shabbos Parshas Toldos); the ninth of Kislev; the tenth of Kislev (Shabbos Parshas Vayeitzei); the fifteenth of Kislev; the seventeenth of Kislev (Shabbos Parshas Vayishlach); the twenty fourth of Kislev (Shabbos Parshas Vayeishev).] Tehillim 55:19. [Concerning his release, the Alter Rebbe wrote: “… On that day, while I was reciting the verse from Tehillim, ‘He has redeemed my soul in peace’ – even before I began the following verse – I went forth [from imprisonment] in peace, through [the help of Hashem,] the G-d of Peace.” Years later, [during the imprisonment of the Mitteler Rebbe,] he was informed of his release while he was reciting this exact same verse of Tehillim (Beis Rebbe, sec. 2, ch.5).