Chai Elul—the 18th of Elul
Chai Elul, the 18th of Elul, is considered a special day among Chassidism, although in the earlier generations the general Chas- sidic world was not aware of the day's importance. Rabbi Mordechai of Cherno- byl said that its importance is connected with the fact that the Baal Shem Tov was born three times on Chai Elul: physical- ly—when he was born in the year 5458 (1698); spiritually—when his holy teacher and mentor (Achiyah HaShiloni) was re- vealed to him in 5484 (1724); and when he was revealed to the world in 5494 (1734).
Amongst Chabad Chassidism, this day is called the “birthday of the two great lumi- naries,” because not only was the Baal Shem Tov born on the 18th of Elul, but the Alter Rebbe, the author of the Tanya, was also born on the 18th of Elul (in 5505/1745). The Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedek therefore said that Chai Elul is a triple festival: the birthday of the Baal Shem Tov, the birthday of the Alter Reb- be, and the beginning of the spiritual work of the new year.
The Story of the Revelation
Among the letters preserved in the “Cherson Genizah” is a letter from the Baal Shem Tov to his disciple Rabbi Yaa- kov Yosef HaKohen (author of Toldot Yaakov Yosef). In it, the Baal Shem Tov fulfills a promise he had made long before, revealing to him on what day and in what year his teacher and mentor had been re- vealed to him. The Baal Shem Tov writes:
“On the day I turned 26, on the 18th of Elul, 5484, in the city of Okop, at mid- night, [my teacher] was revealed to me. The first lesson was on Parshat Bereshit. When we completed the holy Torah, until (the final words) “in view of all Yisrael”, I was 36 years old, and I was revealed.”
As mentioned above, the Chai Elul was observed secretly in earlier generations. The Rebbe Rayatz shares that it was one of the “hidden holidays” that the Rebbes cel- ebrated among themselves. In addition, the Rebbes revealed the significance of the day to their sons only when they reached the age of fifteen. When the Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedek revealed this secret to his sons, he warned them in very strong terms to keep it secret.
A Day of Joy and Blessing
The person who made the significance of Chai Elul widely known was the Rebbe Rayatz. He related in detail the first time his father revealed the significance of this day to him: “On Tuesday, the 17th of Elul, after learning, my father said to me: ‘Tomorrow, Wednesday, get up early (before the light of day, when no person would see), go to the mikvah, and do not say Tachanun.’”
“When I entered my father's room, I found him in a very uplifted mood. Immediately upon entering, my father said to me with great joy: ‘Good Yom Tov to us—today is the birthday of our two great luminaries. On Monday, the 18th of Elul, 5458, is the birthday of the Baal Shem Tov, and Wednesday, the 18th of Elul, 5505, is the birthday of the Alter Rebbe.’”
My father then got up, entered the second room, put on his Shabbat clothes, and returned to the first room. He instructed me to lock both doors and then delivered a Chassidic discourse before me.
The Rebbe Rayatz concludes by describing the day in glowing terms: “Chai Elul is a day designated for joy and blessing, for Chassidim in general and for Chabad Chassidim in particular.”
