On Wednesday, the 18th of Elul, during Sheva Brochos,* the Rebbe Rashab announced: “With the blessing of all the Rebbeim, I am founding a yeshiva. This yeshiva will produce students who will be ready and willing to be Moser Nefesh for Torah and the service of Hashem in the light of Chassidus. May it be the will of Hashem that His Shechinah rest in the endeavors of our hands.
On Wednesday, the fourth day of creation**, the luminaries (i.e., the sun and the moon) were placed in the heavens. Today is the holy day of Chai Elul, the auspicious day when the Baal Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe were born.
“On this holy day, as this Yeshiva — which I have yet to name — is about to begin, I am igniting the spark and eternal light that the Baal Shem Tov and the succeeding Rebbeim have given us. Through spreading the light of Chassidus, we will bring to fruition the promise that Moshiach gave the Baal Shem Tov: ‘When your wellsprings spread outward, I will come and redeem the Jewish nation.’”
The founding of the Lubavitcher Yeshiva, “Tomchei Temimim,” announced by the Rashab, 5th Chabad Rebbe, on Chai Elul 5657-1897.
* Sheva Brochos of his son, The RaYYatz, 6th Chabad Rebbe.
**Chai Elul 5657 / 1897 was on a Wednesday.
Chai Elul: Birth 0f the Baal-Shem-Tov, 5458 / 1698. Birth of the Alter Rebbe / Baal haTanya, 5505 / 1745.
