THE “CHASSIDISHE MONTH”
Kislev’s uniqueness is its wealth of Chassidic festivals and auspicious occasions1 – 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,”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 Now, since the first day 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
PACKAGES FOR THE NEEDY
- It is to be expected that joyous occasions involve a certain amount of material expense. We should therefore see to it that each individual is able to procure all of his needs for the festive month of Kislev — including chanukah gelt.6
Month of Torah
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.7
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.8
ADD AGAIN
- One who already extends himself beyond the required measure in his regular Torah studies should nevertheless increase his efforts during Kislev.8
ADVANCE DAILY
- We should steadily increase our Torah study from one day to the next throughout the month of Kislev.8
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.8
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.9
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.8
CHASSIDIC LOOK AT NIGLEH
- The year 5749 (1989) was both a leap year10 (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.11
Month of Farbrengen
CONSTANT AND COMMONPLACE
- In 5749 (1988),12 the Rebbe instructed: Since the month of Kislev is the “Chassidishe Month,13” it would be fitting to express this by arranging farbrengens throughout the month and in all locations.14
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 10th 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 Most importantly, these gatherings should be geared to promote additional study of Chassidic teachings and their wider dissemination.17
Daily Study of Chassidus
A NEW TOPIC IN CHASSIDUS EACH DAY
- In 5749 (1988), the Rebbe instructed: On each day of Kislev,18 every man, woman and child should study at least one (additional) subject from the teachings of Chassidus – with preference given to the texts19 that have only recently been printed.20
IN GROUPS
- Ideally, this study should be done in groups – for example, during the farbrengens.21
A TEACHING FROM EACH REBBE
- Our study should include a teaching from each of the leaders of Chassidus: The Baal Shem Tov, the Maggid of Mezritch and the Rebbeim of Chabad.21
BREADTH AND DEPTH
- We should study (a) the teachings of each Chabad Rebbe on a range of topics; as well as (b) the various teachings of each Rebbe on a single subject.
- Both endeavors have their own unique advantage: Studying the works of a single Rebbe allows for a deeper perspective, while studying a single topic from each of the Rebbeim highlights their respective innovations and provides a broader perspective.22
MORE EACH DAY
- Ideally, we should study more and more each day in Kislev, adding in both quantity and in quality23 – and continuing even after Kislev has passed.24
TEACHINGS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CCCASION
- On every chassidishe holiday in Kislev, we should begin our daily study by studying the teachings of the particular Rebbe associated with that date. For example, on the ninth and tenth of the month, we should begin our study with the teachings of the Mitteler Rebbe.25 Moreover, since “one mitzvah brings another in its wake,” this initial study will bring us to study further teachings from the all other Chabad Rebbeim.26
SPREAD STUDY OF CHASSIDUS
- In addition to our personal study, each of us should spread the wellsprings of chassidus, and influence other Jews to study its teachings.27
WOMEN SHOULD STUDY AND SPREAD CHASSIDUS
- Needless to say, women should also study chassidus, and actively work at introducing other Jewish women to its study.28