The Previous Rebbe was born on the 12th of Tammuz 5640 (1880) in the town of Lubavitch, Russia. He passed away on the 10th of Shevat 5710 (1950) in New York.
On the anniversary of a Tzaddik’s passing, his soul rises to an ever higher rung of spirituality. As a result, all the good deeds and Torah study, etc., that he accomplished during his lifetime are then further magnified – and their positive influence on the world is further intensified. For this reason, the anniversary of a Tzaddik’s passing is often called “Yom Hilulah” (the day of a wedding feast) – a term used to describe an occasion of great joy and celebration.
Yud Shevat is the Yom Hilulah of the “Leader” of our generation. Clearly, this date is of prime importance to the entire “generation,” i.e., all of Jewry – and when, on this day, our collective “head” receives further elevation, it in turn, elevates the entire “body” of Jewry along with it.
Further, Yud Shevat is a day of double significance and twofold celebration: The Rebbe saw himself and his leadership as the direct – and literal – continuation of the Previous Rebbe’s leadership and mission [See footnotes 40, 27, 31 and 35]. On the 10th and 11th of Shevat 5711 (1951), the Rebbe formally accepted the position of Chabad leadership – as a continuation of the Previous Rebbe’s leadership.
A day of such magnitude requires preparation: It is customary to begin studying the laws of an upcoming festival and making preparations for its observance thirty days in advance; similarly, we begin our preparations for the “great and sanctified day” of Yud Shevat from the 10th of Teves.
1. [See below, Appendix I, for a synopsis of the first part of Sichas Parshas Shemos 5750, where the Rebbe describes the theme of the Previous Rebbe's divine service and the lessons we are to derive from Yud Shevat. Both of these are alluded to in the Hebrew letter Yud (bearing a numerical value of ten – the Yahrtzait being on the 10th of Shevat). The Rebbe there explains that Yud (ten) represents the holiness or “soul” found in everything.]
2. Parshas Shemos 5750; Hisva’aduyos p.152.
