The Chassidisher Month
Kislev’s uniqueness is its wealth of Chassidic festivals and auspicious occasions – including no less a date than the “Rosh Hashanah” of Chassidus (Kislev 19).
It has also become synonymous with the theme of liberation and redemption; including in the month of 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,” and, as Jewish communities worldwide have begun to recognize with ever-deepening appreciation, the entire month of Kislev is considered a “Month of Redemption.”
Now, since the first day of Kislev encapsulates the entire month, it therefore constitutes “the Rosh Chodesh of Redemption.”
Padah Veshalom
Throughout Kislev, the Rebbe would instruct those present at his farbrengens to sing the special melody that has become synonymous with Kislev – Padah veshalom.
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).]
Significant Dates in Kislev
- 1st of Kislev: The Rebbe returned home in 5738 (1978), having recovered from a heart attack.
- 2nd of Kislev: The books were returned to the Lubavitch Library following a lengthy court case in 5748 (1987).
- 3rd of Kislev: Marriage of the third Lubavitcher Rebbe, known as the Tzemach Tzedek, in 5564 (1803).
- 6th of Kislev: The Rebbe’s engagement in 5689 (1928).
- 9th of Kislev: Birth and yahrtzait of the second Lubavitcher Rebbe, known as the Mitteler Rebbe; he was born on the 9th of Kislev, 5534 (1773), and passed away on the same date in 5588 (1827).
- 10th of Kislev: Release of the Mitteler Rebbe from Czarist imprisonment in 5587 (1826).
- 11th of Kislev: The Rebbe was called to the Torah in preparation for his marriage in 5689 (1928).
- 14th of Kislev: Marriage of the Rebbe in 5689 (1928).
- 18th of Kislev: Completion of the annual study of Tanya.
- 9th of Kislev: Yahrtzait of the Magid of Mezritch in 5533 (1772).
- 19th-20th of Kislev: Release of the Alter Rebbe from Czarist imprisonment in 5559 (1798); this date marks the “Rosh Hashanah of Chassidus.”
- 20th of Kislev: The Tanya was first printed in 5557 (1796).
- 26th of Kislev: The Alter Rebbe received the first edition of Tanya in 5557 (1796). Bris of the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, known as the Rebbe Rashab, in 5621 (1860).
- 27th of Kislev: Release of the Alter Rebbe from his second imprisonment, in 5561 (1800); this coincided with the third day of Chanukah. Although he was freed, he was required to reside within the city of Petersburg.
- 29th of Kislev: Release of the Alter Rebbe from his second imprisonment – according to alternative accounts. The Rebbe suggested that significant developments in his release occurred on both the 27th and the 29th 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.
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.
