The 18th of Elul is the birthday of the Baal Shem Tov, founder of the chassidic movement, and the Alter Rebbe, founder of the trend within Chassidism called Chabad. Eighteen is the numerical equivalent of the letters Chai ("alive"). Thus the 18th of Elul is referred to as Chai Elul.
The Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe relates there are two versions of a chassidic aphorism: "Chai Elul breathes vitality into Elul," and "Chai Elul breathes vitality into the service of 'I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine.'" The two versions parallel the two dimensions of Chai Elul. The first version reflects the contribution of the Baal Shem Tov, and the second version, the contribution of the Alter Rebbe.
The Baal Shem Tov
The Baal Shem Tov imparted the vitality of emunah ("faith") to every dimension of our lives, revealing every individual's potential for an ongoing dynamic bond with G-d. He taught a way of life that enables us to express the infinite spiritual power of our beings in our observance of the Torah and in every aspect of our experience. These teachings make faith a vibrant force which encompasses every dimension of our conduct, infusing it with vitality from the soul's essential power.
The unique quality of faith is that it permits a connection with G-d that transcends the bounds of intellect. This advantage is, however, potentially problematic, because the spiritual plane on which a person operates through faith is far higher than his level of personal awareness. Since faith taps into a dimension of soul that transcends the limits of the individual's identity, a gap is created between the infinite potential made possible by faith and one's finite mind.
The Alter Rebbe
The teachings of the Alter Rebbe enable us to bridge this gap, because the Alter Rebbe explained how to bring our spiritual potentials that transcend intellect into the realm of understanding.
To borrow from chassidic terminology, the Alter Rebbe showed us how to introduce emunah (which transcends intellectual categories) into the intellectual process called Chabad (chochmah, binah, and daat; wisdom, understanding, and knowledge). Through the teachings of Chabad, the functioning of our mind is shaped by the G-dly power of our soul.
Because the heavenly source of a person's soul radiates powerfully on his birthday, the contributions of the Baal Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe to our Divine service are especially potent on Chai Elul. The vitality generated by the Baal Shem Tov's teachings energizes the intensified Divine service which characterizes the whole of Elul.
Now unique to Elul is the concept reflected in the verse, "I am my Beloved's" – that man, rather than G-d, takes the initiative in heightening the love relationship we share with Him. This aspect of Elul requires that man be capable of proceeding in his Divine service on his own initiative. And this ability was granted us by the Alter Rebbe's teachings.
Adapted from the teachings of the Rebbe; adapted from Timeless Patterns in Time, reprinted with permission from Sichos in English
