Although in former years the main Farbrengen was held after midday on the 19th of Kislev, the key time to hold the grandest, most highly-charged Farbrengen for the Rosh Hashanah of Chassidus, is in fact during the night that straddles the 19th and the 20th of Kislev – for that was when the Alter Rebbe’s liberation was completed.
Create Three Farbrengens
Ideally, each person should set up three Farbrengens (three times gives it Halachic strength); if necessary, they could be held simultaneously – he can attend one Farbrengen in person and use representatives to facilitate the other two.
However, it is entirely feasible to arrange three consecutively Farbrengens and personally attend all of them; particularly in light of the variance in custom regarding the exact time to farbreng – either on the eve of the 19th of Kislev, on the day itself (after midday), or close to the day’s conclusion (so that the Farbrengen is continued into the 20th of Kislev).
Many Jews, Strengthen Torah and Chassidus
We should gather multitudes of men and women (separately), as well as children, for these Farbrengens; the purpose of which is to arouse and strengthen them – and to accept positive resolution in public – concerning all matters of Judaism, Torah and Mitzvos, as they are illuminated by the Torah’s luminary – the teachings of Chassidus.
Chazakah for the Year
Yud Tes Kislev occurs on a Thursday this year, which makes it far easier to hold at least three Farbrengens on three consecutive days. We have the eve and the day of Thursday (Yud Tes Kislev itself), the eve and day of Friday (the 20th of Kislev – for it is then that we have the custom to hold the main Yud Tes Kislev Farbrengen) and the eve and day of Shabbos (the 21st of Kislev). We are able to establish a Chazakah [Halachic strength] of three consecutive days of Chassidisher Yud Tes Kislev Farbrengens. This in turn lends a Chazakah and a bolstering (“Chozek”) to all matters of Judaism and Chassidus, ensuring that the rest of the year will be even more of a Chassidisher year than it was until now. (Parshas Vayishlach 5751; Hisva’aduyos p.386)
The Custom of Chabad Chassidim
The custom of Chabad Chassidim is to hold the main Yud Tes Kislev Farbrengen towards the end of the day and to continue the Farbrengen into the following night. (Parshas Vayishlach 5750; Hisva’aduyos p.473)
Past is a Springboard for the Future
The goal of this Farbrengen is to recall and “relive” all of the positive resolutions which we already accepted until now, and to then add (as in customary regarding all matters of holiness) by accepting additional resolutions – and to actually fulfill them in deed, with joy and gladness. (Night following the 20th of Kislev 5749, during a Yechidus; Hisva’aduyos p.11)
Many Were With Me
A decision made by two people or in a group carries far greater strength than a decision that a person makes alone; participation in a congregational decision lends greater ability to fulfill the decision. This is also emphasized in the verse that is associated with Yud Tes Kislev, Pada BeShalom Nashfi, etc., Ki BeRabim Hayu I’Madi (“Who redeemed my soul in peace, etc., for many were with me”) – which underscores the specific advantage of congregational prayer. (Parshas Vayishlach 5750, footnote 94; Hisva’aduyos p.473)
