Follow ChabadInfo & Never Miss an Update!

Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to our WhatsApp status and broadcast Follow us on Tiktok Follow us on Facebook Follow us on X Follow us on Google News Subscribe on YouTube

This shabbas, NItzavim-Vayeilech 5786, is shabbas Mevarchim of Chodesh Tishrei. While most Frum people focus on what is not happening this shabbas, we will not be blessing the new month (to “confuse” the satan), Chassidim are focused on what is actually happening this Shabbas – that Hashem is actually blessing the new month and giving us the ability to bless all the other months! (Hayom Yom 25 Elul).

As Chassidim, we must think about and internalize this gift that we received from our holy Rabbeim: It is not just a paradigm shift on how we see the shabbas before the month of Tishrei, it is entire change and shift of our worldview: How do we think about and view concealment? While most people see a void and a vacuum, we are elevated and taught to see such unique blessings – blessings that give us the power to bring blessings to the rest of our year and life.

Let us speak openly and clearly:

While we fully believe and eagerly await the full revelation of the Rebbe – as Melech Hamoshiach – and expect to spend Tishrei with the Rebbe in the Beis Hamikdash, there is currently a sense and feeling of complete concealment. There are three ways of how we can view and deal with the concealment:

1 – The “normal and realistic approach” (Daas Ha’olam): Accept the concealment as our reality. We have to acknowledge that we are living in an “orphaned generation” and it is our job and responsibility to keep the younger generation inspired with memories of the past, and at times cry for what we had and what our children are missing, and aspirations of the future.

2 – The deeper approach: Realize that notwithstanding the apparent concealment, the Rebbe is still with us and we can connect with the Rebbe today. We encourage people to still write to the Rebbe (and send the letters to the Ohel or put into the Igros Kodesh) and we focus on the fact that “the Rebbe will find a way to answer” our requests. This approach is obviously a lot more inline with someone that learns “Penimius HaTorah” and sees deeper than what the reality presents.

[ As we approach Rosh Hashana, I would like to share the following “derher”: Everyone reading this article is aware of the sefer Hayom Yom. While officially a sefer for the year 5703-5704, it is a sefer that we learn from every day (see sicha 19 Kislev 5749). There is another fact that is less commonly-known (although not a secret at all), that the Rebbe began preparing a second Hayom Yom (for the year 5704-5705), but was never completed.

In those notes, the Rebbe writes as follows: “If for whatever reason, the Rebbe is not the one blowing the shofar, then he will be the one directing the one blowing the shofar by pointing with his finger in the siddur (the word of the sound that is supposed to be blown).”

While at first glance, this seems to be an interesting tidbit of information, there is a very deep message here: If we are living in a time that we do not see the Rebbe blowing the shofar with our eyes, we must remember that the Rebbe is present and “directing everything with his holy finger”.]

3 – The paradigm shift view: Not only do we not accept the reality of the concealment, and we are aware that the Rebbe is truly present with us, we sincerely believe that we are receiving the energy and being prepared for something much greater than ever before.

It is just as regarding this shabbas, shabbas mevarchim chodesh Tishrei: Not only do we refuse to accept the fact that month is not being blessed, and we know that Hashem is truly blessing the month, it is much deeper: “ And with the power of this [blessing], the Jewish people bless the months eleven times in the year”!

In this time of apparent concealment, we are receiving the unique power and ability to bring the ultimate revelation of Moshiach. Just as this week is not an “orphaned shabbas”, we are not an “orphaned generation”! We must speak about the Rebbe as he is currently with us today and preparing us for the brightest future and most important: Giving us the Koach to “bless the rest of the year” i.e. to grow in our own Avodas Hashem.

I have written before (and will repeat again): Hiskashrus of our children today can’t be based only on the zichronos of their parents, grandparents or mechanchim. Our children and talmidim need to feel that the Rebbe is their Rebbe today. Only then, will they be ready to commit themselves to the Rebbe. Zichoronos are important, but “Malchios is before zichronos”!

May we merit the full revelation of the Rebbe MH”M now!

Kesiva Vachasima Tova!

Please feel free to share your thoughts on the above with me by sending me a personal email: [email protected]

Rabbi Gershon Avtzon
Rosh Yeshiva

9