Parshas Va’eschanan, Shabbos Nachamu, Chamishah Asar B’Av, 5785
20 Menachem Av, 5785
When the Aseres Hadibros are read, stand facing the Sefer Torah.
The Aseres Hadibros are read according to the tune known as ta’am elyon.
After Minchah, read the third chapter of Pirkei Avos.
Chamishah Asar B’Av
“The Jews had no Yamim Tovim like Chamishah Asar B’Av and Yom Kippur.” (Taanis 26b)
Do not say Av Harachamim or Tzidkasecha.
“From Chamishah Asar B’Av and onward, learning more Torah at night will add days to your life.” (Taanis 31a and Rashi) “This maamar Chazal should be publicized everywhere...beginning by publicizing it to yourself.” (Sefer Hasichos 5750 vol. 2, p. 615)
The Rebbe encouraged arranging farbrengens on Chamishah Asar B’Av.
It is customary to begin wishing each other a kesivah vachasimah tovah from Chamishah Asar B’Av and onward.
Yahrzeit of the Rebbe’s Father
Today is the yahrzeit of the Rebbe’s father, the holy sage and Kabbalist Harav Levi Yitzchak Schneersohn. He passed away in 5704 (1944) in Almaty (Alma Ata), Kazakhstan, where he was exiled for his efforts to strengthen Yiddishkeit in Yekaterinoslav-Dnepropetrovsk and throughout Russia and the Ukraine.
For more on Reb Levi Yitzchak, visit www.chabad.org/2283906.
The Rebbe would farbreng every year in connection with this day. When held during the week, the farbrengen would include a Siyum with a hadran (expounding on the tractate(s) completed). The Rebbe requested that during the farbrengens in honor of Chof Av, the participants should study Reb Levi Yitzchak’s torah teachings and pledge money to tzedakah in his merit.
