Shemini Atzeres & Simchas Torah

Shemini Atzeres & Simchas Torah

Tahaluchah

INTRODUCTION

The Previous Rebbe instituted the practice of Tahaluchah (procession), whereby the Chassidim leave their own neighborhoods towards the end of Shemini Atzeres and walk to other communities and congregations, arriving after nightfall for the start of Simchas Torah; there, the Chassidim infuse joy and liveliness into the Simchas Torah Hakafos.

This practice was highly encouraged and esteemed by the Rebbe and is repeated on each of the three major festivals, Pesach, Shavuos and Sukkos.

SPECIAL POWER TO ACCOMPLISH ALL TASKS

• All these tasks demand much time in quantity as well as in quality - much concentration is needed for prayer, the recitation of Hosha'anos, when we subjugate ourselves to Hashem to bond with Him; certainly, however, Hashem grants us the ability to accomplish all this completely and thoroughly on Hashanah Rabbah even in the extremely limited amount of available time.4

YOUR WORD COUNTS

• Every Jewish man, woman and child should assume an active role in this dissemination; we see clearly how a Jew who presently considers himself ‘foreign’ to the Torah lifestyle can be powerfully influenced by a heartfelt word even coming from a small child.38

YIDDISHKEIT IS HIS ESSENCE

• Our influence on fellow Jews is particularly effective when we speak sincere words from the heart and inform them that being a Jew, he or she contains a soul that is 'an actual part of Hashem' therefore Torah and Mitzvos are in fact not at all 'foreign,' G-d forbid, but rather constitute their very own inheritance and essentially, their own true existence.35

WE'RE ALL WAITING

• Our message and its impact is further strengthened when we explain to our fellow Jew that the entire nation, including its greatest figures as well as all the souls of Jewry from all past generations and even the very Shechinah (Divine Presence) which is in a state of exile alongside ourselves are all waiting for and are dependant upon him or her in order to finally depart from Exile!39

KEEP REACHING OUT

• To facilitate a greater measure of success in our dissemination of Judaism, it is fitting for each of us to take stock

4 Nothing stands in the way of will
These tasks are accomplished in a manner that – in the true sense of Rabbah (immense) – reaches beyond limitation; as we can ourselves testify, when a person truly desires, then they are able, in but a single moment, to transform themselves and be elevated incomparably to their standing just a short while beforehand. [If this is possibly in but a single moment, then] certainly it is possible when utilizing two seconds or even three – something repeated three consecutive times is considered firmly established (Chazakah). (Mayanei Hayeshuah 5751; Hisvaaduyos p.149)

38 you will be gathered one by one, O' Children of Israel!' – the ingathering of exiles that Hashem will perform) in a pleasant and peaceful manner, amidst Ahavas Yisrael, the love of your fellow Jew, and to return to his true self... [See main text above for continuation]. (Parshas Bereishis 5750; Hisvaaduyos p.292)

39 Whether you see the effect or not
And even if this has no immediate effect, nevertheless, it will certainly take effect in due course after the person who has heard it will dwell more deeply on the matter, and after it is further explained to him and so on. (Parshas Bereishis 5750; Hisvaaduyos p.292)

35 It has to be done
The absolute necessity in engaging in this service is clearly understood. (Parshas Bereishis 5750; Hisvaaduyos p.292)