The Month of Kislev – The Chassidishe Month
Hama'aseh Hu Haikar | November 20, 2025
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The Month of Kislev – The Chassidishe Month

Hama'aseh Hu Haikar | December 07, 2025

The “Chassidishe Month”

Kislev’s uniqueness is its wealth of Chassidic festivals and auspicious occasions – including no less a date than the “Rosh Hashanah” of Chassidus (Kislev 19).

It has also become synonymous with the theme of liberation and redemption; including in the month of Kislev are dates that mark restoration of health, release from incarceration – and of course, the salvation, miracles and wonders of Chanukah. In recent times, the joy of Kislev was further augmented by the Rebbe’s marriage on Kislev 14 5689 (1928).

For that reason, Kislev is known as the “Chassidishe Month,” “Month of Redemption” and “Month of Joy.” The entire month, however, is encapsulated in its first day (every month’s “vitality” is included in its “head”), making Rosh Chodesh a particularly auspicious occasion – a status greatly enhanced by the Rebbe’s return home after recovering from a heart attack on Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5738 (1978).

Joy and Redemption

Rosh Chodesh

The month of Kislev is a “Chassidishe Month,” and, as ...

Notable Dates in Kislev

  • 1st of Kislev: The Rebbe returned home in 5738 (1978), having recovered from a heart attack.
  • 2nd of Kislev: The books were returned to the Lubavitch Library following a lengthy court case in 5748 (1987).
  • 3rd of Kislev: Marriage of the third Lubavitcher Rebbe, known as the Tzemach Tzedek, in 5564 (1803).
  • 6th of Kislev: The Rebbe’s engagement in 5689 (1928).
  • 9th of Kislev: Birth and yahrtzait of the second Lubavitcher Rebbe, known as the Mitteler Rebbe; he was born on the 9th of Kislev, 5534 (1773), and passed away on the same date in 5588 (1827).
  • 10th of Kislev: Release of the Mitteler Rebbe from Czarist imprisonment in 5587 (1826).
  • 11th of Kislev: The Rebbe was called to the Torah in preparation for his marriage in 5689 (1928).
  • 14th of Kislev: Marriage of the Rebbe in 5689 (1928).
  • 18th of Kislev: Completion of the annual study of Tanya.
  • 9th of Kislev: Yahrtzait of the Magid of Mezritch in 5533 (1772).
  • 19th-20th of Kislev: Release of the Alter Rebbe from Czarist imprisonment in 5559 (1798); this date marks the “Rosh Hashanah of Chassidus.”
  • 20th of Kislev: The Tanya was first printed in 5557 (1796).
  • 26th of Kislev: The Alter Rebbe received the first edition of Tanya in 5557 (1796). Bris of the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, known as the Rebbe Rashab, in 5621 (1860).
  • 27th of Kislev: Release of the Alter Rebbe from his second imprisonment, in 5561 (1800); this coincided with the third day of Chanukah. Although he was freed, he was required to reside within the city of Petersburg.
  • 29th of Kislev: Release of the Alter Rebbe from his second imprisonment – according to alternative accounts. The Rebbe suggested that significant developments in his release occurred on both the 27th and the 29th of Kislev.

Kislev are dates that mark restoration of health, release from incarceration – and of course, the salvation, miracles and wonders of Chanukah. In recent times, the joy of Kislev was further augmented by the Rebbe’s marriage on Kislev 14 5689 (1928).

For that reason, Kislev is known as the “Chassidishe Month,” “Month of Redemption” and “Month of Joy.” The entire month, however, is encapsulated in its first day (every month’s “vitality” is included in its “head”), making Rosh Chodesh a particularly auspicious occasion – a status greatly enhanced by the Rebbe’s return home after recovering from a heart attack on Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5738 (1978).

Redemption and Rosh Chodesh

This is in addition to the fact that the Redemption is closely connected with the renewal of the moon that occurs on every Rosh Chodesh. (Parshas Toldos, 5752; Hisvaaduyos, p. 314)

The spark of Moshiach that resides within every Jew is revealed on Rosh Chodesh ... and this revelation generates renewal in each person’s overall being [his whole metzius], as well as in the details of his daily life, causing a Jew’s every activity to be permeated with the highest soul-level, the yechidah. (Ibid., p. 123)

Nineteenth of Kislev

Foremost among this month’s festivals is the nineteenth of Kislev, the anniversary of the histalkus (passing) of the Maggid, who is closely associated with the dissemination of the Torah’s inner dimension. It is also the anniversary of the Alter Rebbe’s Festival of Redemption, which marks the start of “disseminating the wellsprings” in earnest.

From start to finish

There are many other events that came to pass in the month of Kislev ... anyone who gives it a bit of thought will be able to think of many further examples. Moreover, the conclusion of Kislev is marked by Chanukah, the festival that was established to commemorate the miracle of the oil – significantly, “oil” represents the Torah’s inner teachings. (Night of Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5749; Hisvaaduyos, p. 373)

The “Chassidishe Month”

Kislev’s uniqueness is its wealth of Chassidic festivals and auspicious occasions – including no less a date than the “Rosh Hashanah” of Chassidus (Kislev 19).

It has also become synonymous with the theme of liberation and redemption; including in the month of Kislev are dates that mark restoration of health, release from incarceration – and of course, the salvation, miracles and wonders of Chanukah. In recent times, the joy of Kislev was further augmented by the Rebbe’s marriage on Kislev 14 5689 (1928).

For that reason, Kislev is known as the “Chassidishe Month,” “Month of Redemption” and “Month of Joy.” The entire month, however, is encapsulated in its first day (every month’s “vitality” is included in its “head”), making Rosh Chodesh a particularly auspicious occasion – a status greatly enhanced by the Rebbe’s return home after recovering from a heart attack on Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5738 (1978).

Joy and Redemption

Rosh Chodesh

The month of Kislev is a “Chassidishe Month,” and, as ...

Notable Dates in Kislev

  • 1st of Kislev: The Rebbe returned home in 5738 (1978), having recovered from a heart attack.
  • 2nd of Kislev: The books were returned to the Lubavitch Library following a lengthy court case in 5748 (1987).
  • 3rd of Kislev: Marriage of the third Lubavitcher Rebbe, known as the Tzemach Tzedek, in 5564 (1803).
  • 6th of Kislev: The Rebbe’s engagement in 5689 (1928).
  • 9th of Kislev: Birth and yahrtzait of the second Lubavitcher Rebbe, known as the Mitteler Rebbe; he was born on the 9th of Kislev, 5534 (1773), and passed away on the same date in 5588 (1827).
  • 10th of Kislev: Release of the Mitteler Rebbe from Czarist imprisonment in 5587 (1826).
  • 11th of Kislev: The Rebbe was called to the Torah in preparation for his marriage in 5689 (1928).
  • 14th of Kislev: Marriage of the Rebbe in 5689 (1928).
  • 18th of Kislev: Completion of the annual study of Tanya.
  • 9th of Kislev: Yahrtzait of the Magid of Mezritch in 5533 (1772).
  • 19th-20th of Kislev: Release of the Alter Rebbe from Czarist imprisonment in 5559 (1798); this date marks the “Rosh Hashanah of Chassidus.”
  • 20th of Kislev: The Tanya was first printed in 5557 (1796).
  • 26th of Kislev: The Alter Rebbe received the first edition of Tanya in 5557 (1796). Bris of the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, known as the Rebbe Rashab, in 5621 (1860).
  • 27th of Kislev: Release of the Alter Rebbe from his second imprisonment, in 5561 (1800); this coincided with the third day of Chanukah. Although he was freed, he was required to reside within the city of Petersburg.
  • 29th of Kislev: Release of the Alter Rebbe from his second imprisonment – according to alternative accounts. The Rebbe suggested that significant developments in his release occurred on both the 27th and the 29th of Kislev.

Kislev are dates that mark restoration of health, release from incarceration – and of course, the salvation, miracles and wonders of Chanukah. In recent times, the joy of Kislev was further augmented by the Rebbe’s marriage on Kislev 14 5689 (1928).

For that reason, Kislev is known as the “Chassidishe Month,” “Month of Redemption” and “Month of Joy.” The entire month, however, is encapsulated in its first day (every month’s “vitality” is included in its “head”), making Rosh Chodesh a particularly auspicious occasion – a status greatly enhanced by the Rebbe’s return home after recovering from a heart attack on Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5738 (1978).

Redemption and Rosh Chodesh

This is in addition to the fact that the Redemption is closely connected with the renewal of the moon that occurs on every Rosh Chodesh. (Parshas Toldos, 5752; Hisvaaduyos, p. 314)

The spark of Moshiach that resides within every Jew is revealed on Rosh Chodesh ... and this revelation generates renewal in each person’s overall being [his whole metzius], as well as in the details of his daily life, causing a Jew’s every activity to be permeated with the highest soul-level, the yechidah. (Ibid., p. 123)

Nineteenth of Kislev

Foremost among this month’s festivals is the nineteenth of Kislev, the anniversary of the histalkus (passing) of the Maggid, who is closely associated with the dissemination of the Torah’s inner dimension. It is also the anniversary of the Alter Rebbe’s Festival of Redemption, which marks the start of “disseminating the wellsprings” in earnest.

From start to finish

There are many other events that came to pass in the month of Kislev ... anyone who gives it a bit of thought will be able to think of many further examples. Moreover, the conclusion of Kislev is marked by Chanukah, the festival that was established to commemorate the miracle of the oil – significantly, “oil” represents the Torah’s inner teachings. (Night of Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5749; Hisvaaduyos, p. 373)

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Hama'aseh Hu Haikar | November 20, 2025