CONSTANT AND COMMONPLACE
In 5749 (1988),¹² Kislev is the “Chassidishe Month,¹³” it would be fitting to express this by arranging farbrengens throughout the month and in all locations.¹⁴ the Rebbe instructed: Since the month of
MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN
These farbrengens should be geared for both men and women (separately, of course), and should include the children as well.¹⁴
ENCOURAGE STUDY AND SPREADING OF TORAH
We should speak words of Torah at these farbrengens, and inspire one another to study both its “revealed” and inner dimensions. We should also encourage the dissemination of Judaism and chassidus.¹⁵
CHASSIDIC DATES AND CHANUKAH
We should hold farbrengens on each of the Chassidic festivals and auspicious dates that occur during Kislev, as well as during the festival of Chanukah, which is described as “Days of Joy.”¹⁶
EVERYWHERE
We should arrange these farbrengens everywhere – both near and far;¹⁷ both in the Diaspora and (certainly) in the Holy Land.
IN 770
A farbrengen should definitely be held right here – in the daled amos (close proximity) of the Rebbe, my father-in-law, Leader of our Generation.¹⁷
ADVANCE PREPARATION
In order that farbrengens for the chassidishe holidays are conducted in the most orderly fashion – together with a “storm” of holiness – we should prepare for and publicize the events well ahead of time.¹⁷
TEN DAYS TO THE NEAREST FESTIVAL
We should immediately begin preparing for the closest approaching festival, namely, the Festival of Redemption – the 10 of Kislev:
We should prepare farbrengens everywhere – in each location and for each society according to its particular conditions – to ensure a highly-charged and holy atmosphere.¹⁵ importantly, these gatherings should be geared to promote additional study of Chassidic teachings and their wider dissemination.¹⁷
Most
“revealed” and inner dimensions of the Torah, stressing a greater “wholeness” of Torah. [We say this is the Tzemach Tzedek’s innovation] even though this was apparently the innovation of the Alter Rebbe, [grandfather of the Tzemach Tzedek]. Indeed, the Alter Rebbe’s very name, “Schneur Zalman,” alludes to this concept: “Schneur” is a combination of “Shnei-Or,” indicating that the “two lights” of the “revealed” and mystical dimensions of Torah combine to form a single entity [signifying their total unity – the Alter Rebbe was the author of both the Tanya and the Shulchan Aruch HaRav]. However, to enable people of our caliber to discern this is harmony between the revealed and inner aspects of the Torah – and to do so vividly – requires the innovative approach that we find chiefly expressed in the Chassidic discourses of the Tzemach Tzedek. There are very few discourses from the other Rebbeim in which this connection is so apparent – demonstrating this unity on a steady basis and in a multitude of discourses was the Tzemach Tzedek’s innovation. Now is the time The main thing is the deed: It is now erev Rosh Chodesh Kislev, which constitutes the “opening” and beginning of Kislev, the month that is uniquely bound with Torah’s mystical teachings as they are revealed through the teachings of chassidus. We should therefore accept positive resolutions to increase our study of chassidus, and begin actualizing these resolutions – in reality and immediately. (Night of Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5749; Hisvaaduyos, p. 375) Get a head start May we be able to demonstrate that this entire month is a Kislev'dikeh month in actuality, by holding a farbrengen right away on its very first day – and then again on the second day and once more on the third... Then, with three days behind us, we will have established a chazakah [legal “fact”]. The same may also be said for the end of the month… (First day of Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5750; Hisvaaduyos, p. 411) One glance says it all On every day of this month it should be apparent in everyone that Kislev is a “Chassidishe Month” – since each chassid and all chassidim will farbreng throughout the month. (Tochen Katzar of Parshas Vayeitzei 5749) Parshas Toldos 5749 (Hisvaaduyos, p. 385). Who needs a reason to farbreng?! We should certainly hold a farbrengen on the chassidishe festivals of this month. In truth, any day is a good time for a farbrengen and requires no specific reason to hold one. “A good heart is festive always” (Mishlei 15:15); all the more so in light of the statements of the Rebbe, my father-in-law, regarding the immense virtue of a chassidishe farbrengen. (Parshas Vayeitzei 5749; Hisvaaduyos, p. 404) Sunday night As to whether or not to hold farbrengens on Sunday night (which is already the “second day of the week” in Jewish Law) – when (for numerous reasons [see Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah (179:2), “one does not begin a new undertaking on the second or fourth day of the week”]) it would involve certain limitations... Nevertheless, these limitations are of no consequence when it comes to matters of Torah and holiness… (Ibid., p. 410) Parshas Vayeitzei 5749 (Hisvaaduyos, p. 404). … As we have discussed numerous times in the past [e.g., Likutei Sichos, vol. 30, p. 204] (Parshas Toldos 5749, fn. 92; Hisvaaduyos, p. 385). Spiritually far Whether these locations are geographically far, or, more importantly, spiritually distant – for it is specifically in such places that we should invest far greater effort, as befits the resultant “superiority of light that emerges from darkness.” (Ibid., p. 385)