Visit a Tomchei Temimim Yeshivah
CONCRETE CONNECTION TO THE REBBE RASHAB
In 5749 (1988), the Rebbe stated: Some of our special activities in honor of the twentieth of Marcheshvan should be performed within the tomchei temimim yeshivah ñ a physical building that bears direct association with the Rebbe Rashab.²³
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E ACH OF THE THREE PILLARS
Each person residing within a city containing a tomchei temimim yeshivah²⁴ should strive to enter the yeshivah during the ----------------------
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twentieth of MarCheshvan, and to perform positive activities in each of the following areas: kindness.²⁵
Torah, prayer and acts of
H IS KAPITAL , MA íAMOR AND INSTITUTION
After entering a tomchei temimim building, we should (1) pray or recite a chapter of psalms ñ particularly the chapter whose number corresponds to the current age of the Rebbe Rashab; (2) study from the teachings of the Rebbe Rashab; and (3) donate tzedakah to an institution founded by (and which continues to follow in the spirit of) the Rebbe Rashab.²⁶
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ALL BRANCHES
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The above applies equally to the Central tomchei temimim as it does to a branch of tomchei temimim. It likewise applies equally to a yeshivah located outside of eretz yisrael, as it (certainly) does to a yeshivah within the Holy Land (and which therefore contains greater sanctity).²⁶
B EFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE DATE
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Ideally, we should perform these activities (not only on the anniversary itself, but also) on the days prior and subsequent to the twentieth of Marcheshvan.²⁶
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This is in addition to the fact that one who failed to perform these activities on the day itself is able to ìmake upî for them during the subsequent days.²⁷
AT LEAST A CHABAD HOUSE
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In a city without a tomchei temimim and from where it is difficult to reach a location that does contain such a yeshivah, one may perform the above activities in a building which closely resembles a tomchei temimim ñ a Chabad House; a place of Torah, prayer and acts of kindness.²⁶
S HARE THE PRIVILEGE WITH OTHERS
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Based on the commandment to ìLove your fellow Jew as yourself,î we should also strive to influence others to perform these activities on the twentieth of Marcheshvan.²⁶
I N PUBLIC
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spirit of the verse: A kingís glory is a large nation. This theme is underscored by the Rebbe Rashab, who states in heichaltzu: A decision made by two people, or in public, carries far greater weight than a resolution that one makes alone...²⁶
The main thing is to perform these actions in public ñ in the
22. Extract yourself ... Including the alternative meaning of heichaltzu ñ ìto extractî (lechaleitz) oneself from the current spiritual standing (good and exalted though it may be), and to ascend to a yet higher rung. (Ibid.) Form a receptacle In order to ensure that the effect and empowerment from the Rebbe Rashabís birthday will last throughout the coming year, in the most successful manner and with the greatest strength, it would be worthwhile and fitting to connect these activities with a tomchei temimim yeshivah. Primary accomplishment One of the most fundamental achievements of the Rebbe Rashab was the founding of the tomchei temimim yeshivah. (To be sure, there were numerous, exalted achievements; nevertheless, in addition to all of his activities eternally producing subsequent achievements, some of [his original] accomplishments themselves continue until this very day...) Uniqueness of Tomchei Temimim The yeshivah constituted an ìeverlasting edifice,î an eternal structure within which G-dís Torah is studied in perfection ñ by combining both the ìrevealedî Torah and the Torah of chassidus; a yeshivah whose students are occupied with the service of prayer and kind deeds, (especially) including spiritual kind deeds, i.e., disseminating the ìrevealedî Torah and the inner wellsprings of Torah. (Parshas Vayerah 5749; Hisvaaduyos p. 336) Support the wholesome ones Tomchei Temimim was the name given to the yeshivah by its founder [the Rebbe Rashab] during the hakafos on Simchas Torah ñ immediately after his having 23. 24. recited the entreaty tomeich temimim hoshiía na, ìSupporter of [Your people], the wholesome ones, please save us...!î Seeing is living It is worthwhile and fitting that some of the special activities in honor of the twentieth of Marcheshvan should be performed within the tomchei temimim yeshivah ñ a physical building that bears direct relevance to the Rebbe Rashab. It is patently obvious (as we can see for ourselves) that merely contemplating a matter in our mindís eye, or even discussing it verbally, cannot begin to compare to the effect of viewing the same matter in reality... Step inside Makif Demakif When one performs a particular activity in connection with the Rebbe Rashab[ís birthday], while at that very moment a physical structure associated with the Rebbe Rashab (his yeshivah building) stands before him ñ or, better yet, when he stands within the space between the four walls and the roof of that very building, so that his entire being is encompassed by its structure (why, he has entered the ìmakif [encompassing influence] of tomchei temimim,î if you will; or to be more specific, he has entered its makif demakif, the level of yechidah [highest tier of the soul]) ñ he is then open to far greater (even incomparably greater) awaking, enthusiasm and energy in all of these activities. The effect that this has on his coming year is also far greater... (Parshas Vayerah 5749; Hisvaaduyos pp. 336-337, with fn.) Parshas Vayerah 5749 (Hisvaaduyos p. 337). 25. 26. 27. Ibid., fn. 76.
