INTRODUCTION
A year may be divided into two general stages: spring/summer and fall/winter. Kislev, the third of the “winter” months, parallels Sivan, the third of the “summer” months.
Sivan is synonymous with the festival of Shavuos, and is known as “the month in which the Torah was given”; Kislev, by extension, must also express the theme of Torah.
In this regard, however, the two months are not identical; each represents a different approach to Torah:
Just as the summer sun is a physical reflection of the Divine radiance that is then apparent, Sivan is when we are given the Torah from Above. Conversely, the reduced radiance of winter allows our own efforts to rise to the fore – during Kislev, then, we receive the Torah through our own exertion.
GO ALL OUT IN TORAH STUDY
Each of us should step beyond the parameters of our regular positive efforts and increase our Torah studies – introducing far greater energy and effort to our current mode of study.
ADD AGAIN
One who already extends himself beyond the required measure in his regular Torah studies should nevertheless increase his efforts during Kislev.
ADVANCE DAILY
We should steadily increase our Torah study from one day to the next throughout the month of Kislev.
LIVE TORAH
This addition applies equally to students, scholars and businessmen; we should all fix times for Torah study. Further, we should truly “absorb” the Torah we study, so that the Torah becomes an integral part of who we are.
STUDY CHASSIDUS
During Kislev, we should intensify our study of the “revealed” parts of Torah, as well as its inner dimension; i.e., the deep mysticism that is expounded in a systematic and comprehensible manner in the teachings of Chabad chassidus.
PUSH YOUR LIMITS
We should add in both the quantity of time spent learning Torah, and most importantly, in the quality of our studies – studying with ever-increasing exertion that not only surpasses our habitual efforts, but even our very nature.
CHASSIDIC LOOK AT NIGLEH
The year 5749 (1989) was both a leap year (often referred to as a “complete” year) and also the 200th anniversary of the Tzemach Tzedek’s birth. During Kislev of that year, the Rebbe instructed us to add in our study of Chassidic teachings that are associated with the “revealed” dimension of Torah, thus lending the aspect of “wholeness” to our Torah study. This should be done throughout Kislev, and in an increasing measure from day to day.
