Kislev is a month teeming with chassidisher Yomim Tovim. Indeed, many are familiar with the maxim said in regard to Kislev — “A Chassidisher Chodesh.” At the root of the various special dates within the month of Kislev lies the principle: they each have a firm connection with the spreading of chassidus.
For chassidim, the month of Kislev boasts the most Yomim Tovim throughout the year and, in truth, the entire month is one long Yom Tov! The Rebbe teaches that during Kislev chassidim - men, women and children - should gather together on each day of Kislev and learn an additional portion of chassidus that they would not have learned until then. Primarily, one should focus on the three forefathers of chassidus: the Baal Shem Tov, the Maggid of Mezritch, and the Alter Rebbe. And, if able, he should also learn [a little] from all the Rebbes.
We should spend extra time throughout the month sharing chassidus with those who haven’t yet been fortunate enough to learn it. Additionally, a chassidisher month must come with an increase in farbrengens - a stable in a chassid’s growth.
Complete Clothes and Torn Hearts
Reb Menachem Mendel Horodoker (also known as Reb Mendel Vitebsker) was a great student of the Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid of Mezritch. Initially charged by the Maggid with the task of spreading Chassidus in Russia, Reb Mendel later accepted leadership of the chassidim in White Russia after the Maggid’s passing.
Two years after the Maggid appointed Reb Mendel to spread Chassidus in Russia, Reb Mendel visited the Maggid. The Maggid asked, “what did you achieve with the Jews of Russia?” Reb Mendel replied, “I found their clothes torn and hearts complete; I worked on making their clothes complete and their hearts torn.”
The poverty stricken Jews in Russia struggled to make a living, hence the torn clothes. Yet their hearts were complete, unaware of their true purpose. Reb Mendel helped them significantly increase their wealth, and cause their hearts to tear from the work of repairing their spiritual lives. [Similar to hard earth, once it is tilled and softened, plants can sprout.]
Chassidus is Far Beyond That!
Reb Yitzchak Aizik of Homil, was one of the greatest Chabad chassidim ever to live. A Jew once came to Reb Aizil and asked him to teach him chassidus since he had heard that chassidus can counter machshavot zarot (unwelcome thoughts).
Reb Aizil replied, “the king’s treasure houses contain a collection of all sorts of vessels made of pure gold, even a manure shovel. Now, if someone tried to take that gold shovel to clear manure, he will be the subject of ridicule. The same is true of chassidus. To use it against machshavot zarot is like using the king’s golden shovel for manure. It works, but is that what it’s for? Chassidus is far beyond that!”
Adapted from Derher and The Weekly Farbrengen by Merkaz Anash, on-line at TheWeeklyFarbrengen.com
