This Shabbos is the 19th of Kislev, the anniversary of the liberation of Rabbi Shneur Zalman, founder of Chabad Chasidism. He was imprisoned in Czarist Russia on false charges of spreading anti-government sentiments.
Each year since Rabbi Shneur Zalman’s release in 1798, the 19th of Kislev has been celebrated as a special occasion by Jews the world over. Why celebrate an event that took place nearly 200 years ago to an individual in far-away Russia?
What is behind the custom of observing the anniversary of an important event in a person’s life or in the history of the Jewish people?
According to Jewish teachings, the same spiritual forces functioning at the time of the original event--whether a birth, wedding, yahrtzeit, or victorious incident--reassert themselves at the time of the anniversary. The individual and the community can draw from those powers.
Rabbi Shneur Zalman was one of the chief proponents of the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov, founder of the Chasidic movement. His vindication, therefore, was the vindication of Chasidism itself. With his release from prison, the teachings of Chasidic philosophy--the inner and mystical aspect of Torah--could be freely taught.
The spiritual forces operative on the original 19th of Kislev and the 19th of Kislev in each subsequent year are intimately tied up with the dissemination and study of Chasidic philosophy.
May we all use this special time and the unique spiritual forces it brings with it for the advancement of the study of Chasidic teachings, especially as elucidated by Rabbi Shneur Zalman and his successors.
