Prayer on the First Night of Rosh Hashanah
The Chabad Rebbeim expended an amazing amount of energy in their prayers on the first night of Rosh Hashanah – as was clearly visible to those attending the prayer services of the Rebbe, my father-in-law, Leader of the Generation (as well as those of his predecessors). We, their Chassidim, should emulate their conduct – at least to a minute degree...
All Come to Hear the Shofar – Including Infants
It is customary for everyone – men, women and children – to assemble and hear the sounding of the Shofar. This includes even extremely young children; although they do not understand the blessing recited by the baal tokei’a (the one sounding the Shofar), nevertheless, they shout out “Amen!” along with the rest of the congregation.
Let Him Blow Till He’s Red in the Face
The baal tokei’a is required to lengthen his notes “until he is red in the face.” This is quite simply an indication that he is applying sufficient strength in sounding the Shofar, causing the blood to rush to his head.
Healthy Exertion
This practice is not detrimental to one’s health. On the contrary, the blood rushing to his head will only increase his vigor and health.
Mention the Rebbeim, Their Teachings and Songs
On Rosh Hashanah, the Previous Rebbe would mention all of our Rebbeim by name, explain one concept from Rebbe’s teachings and sing one of each Rebbe’s melodies. He would state the respective Rebbe’s name before he began each melody.
We thereby unite with the Rebbes both by mentioning their names and singing their melodies. There is a distinct advantage in singing their melodies over mentioning their names and even over reciting their teachings. As is known regarding the tremendous quality of a melody, that 'a melody is the quill of the heart’ through which one may bond and unite using the innermost point of the heart in a manner that finds a revealed and actual expression in the physical realm, namely, a song or melody that issues from his physical mouth. Certainly so, when he sings with gusto and passion, in a manner whereby every limb of his body sways – ‘All my limbs proclaim [who is like You, Hashem!]’; which is why Jews are accustomed to sway during prayer and study, as is mentioned in Zohar.
The Rebbeim Teach the Torah’s Song – Chassidus
This most certainly applies to matters that are associated with the inner aspects of Torah – the level of ‘song’ within Torah – and likewise regarding actual melodies that are bound with our Rebbes and through which they drew down the revelation of Torah’s inner dimension.
The Power to Serve
By connecting with the Rebbes on Rosh Hashanah, we elicit the power for our entire service of Torah and Mitzvos – especially that which concerns and is associated with the mystical dimension of Torah – for the entire coming year.
The Rebbe Announces This Practice
The Rebbe instructed R' Yoel Kahan to ‘recite the melodies of the Rebbes together with their names.’ R' Yoel then made this announcement as told, after which the Rebbe smiled and told him, ‘Nobody could hear a thing...!’ The Rebbe then further instructed R' Yoel to announce that ‘this was the Previous Rebbe’s custom’ – but then the Rebbe immediately went ahead and made this announcement himself, stating, ‘My father-in-law initiated the custom of reciting the melodies of all of the Rebbes along with their names.’ The Rebbe then again turned to R' Yoel, smiled and said, ‘Nu! You are a Chozer...!’ [i.e., the one tasked with memorizing and repeating the Rebbe’s addresses]
