Yahrtzeit of the Rebbe Rashab and the Beginning of Previous Rebbe’s Leadership
Introduction
The Rebbe Rashab, the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, passed away in Rostov on the 2nd of Nissan, 5680 (1920). One of his most significant achievements was the founding of the Tomchei Temimim Yeshivah, and for that reason, the Rebbe explains, “The 2nd of Nissan is an auspicious day regarding everything that is associated with the Yeshivah.”
On the 3rd of Nissan, one day after the Rebbe Rashab’s passing, his son, the Previous Rebbe, assumed the leadership of Chabad. Under his direction, the network of Tomchei Temimim Yeshivahs was greatly expanded.
Take a Moment to Contemplate the Yeshivah’s Effect
All past or present students of Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim, or a branch with a variation of this title—along with their families, and all who have been influenced to advance in Torah and mitzvos by them—should dedicate at least a moment today to contemplate the ways in which the Yeshivah positively influenced them, and indeed, should continue influencing them in the future.
On the 2nd of Nissan, one should take some time to dwell on the Yeshivah’s success at bolstering Torah study—of both the inner and revealed dimensions of Torah—the enhanced observance of mitzvos, heightened mode of prayer, further utilization of everyday affairs for the sake of Heaven, and promotion of the service of “knowing G-d in all your ways.”
Extended Influence
This contemplation is also for those who, for reasons beyond their control, were unable to personally attend a Tomchei Temimim Yeshivah, but nevertheless sent their sons or grandsons to study there.
Worldwide Network
One of the fundamental achievements of the Rebbe Rashab was the founding of Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim. He first established the Yeshivah in just one location, but later, following the various “exiles of Tomchei Temimim” (where, due to Soviet persecution, its students and teachers were forced to flee from one place to the next, eventually going underground completely), branches of the Yeshivah were opened across the entire globe (ibid., p. 132).
Many of these branches have been given variant titles; nevertheless, their themes, mode of conduct, and study methods are in the spirit of Tomchei Temimim (ibid., fn. 28).
Far-Reaching Effect of Nigleh with Chassidus
As we can see for ourselves, a curriculum that combines the study of both Nigleh and Chassidus has a disproportionately positive effect on the students. The influence extends through them to their families (after marriage), and to all who fall under their range of influence. It enhances all areas of their Divine service, continuing to do so even after they leave the Yeshivah… the main enhancement being that they now perform these matters with the self-sacrifice of “all who go forth in battle for the House of David,” in a supernatural manner (ibid.).
The Goals of Tomchei Temimim
It is unnecessary to launch into a lengthy explanation, describing exactly what one should contemplate; anyone with the slightest idea of the objective of Tomchei Temimim should understand this on his own. And if he nevertheless requires additional elaboration, he should approach another former or current student who will surely enlighten him.
Free to Flourish
Maintaining the Yeshivah once involved many hardships and difficulties, particularly under Soviet rule, although in truth, these matters were mainly trials to be overcome that lacked real substance (other than to call forth greater energy by those who had to overcome them)…
Nowadays, however, it is far easier to fulfill the will of the Rebbe Rashab and the Previous Rebbe, who respectively founded and conducted the Yeshivah, without having to face any hardship or problem at all.
We can now increase—beyond the significant additional achievements to date—in all of those matters that the Yeshivah was designed to achieve. In a general sense, this means the dissemination of Judaism, with particular focus on the dissemination of Chassidus (ibid., p. 132–133).
