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…Thirty days before a holiday we begin discussing pertinent themes and prepare for the proper observance of the auspicious day. We stand now a month before the Hilula of the Rebbe [Rayatz], the tenth day of Shevat. The 30-day period of preparation actually began on the “day of grace,” the fast day of the 10th of Teves.

It was the Rebbe who viewed our situation in the last days of the diaspora within the context of people who are preparing to greet Moshiach. And he told us to “Stand together ready…” for we have completed what is required of us, all that is left for us to do is to “polish the buttons” of our uniforms, so that we may go out and greet our righteous Moshiach with greater beauty and glory.

…The Rebbe explained that his metaphor to “polish the buttons,” meant to increase Torah study, fulfill mitzvos with greater care and scrupulousness, starting with tzedaka, and to be diligent and intense in prayer.

In preparing for this Yud Shevat it is appropriate that we emphasize several specific items in which to put the main thrust of our effort and involvement. It will then be easier to see good results.

Priority: More Torah and Tzedakah

My suggestion and request is that during the next 30 days everyone, young and old, should increase A) Torah study, and; B) giving charity.

More specifically:

We often subdivide the Jewish people into the two categories of Yissachar, the “scholars,” who devote themselves primarily to Torah study, and Zevulun, the “worldly people,” whose main area of Divine service is to observe mitzvos and do good deeds, especially tzedaka.

At this time, it behooves each of these groups to increase their Torah study and charity. This means that businesspeople should add extra hours for learning Torah and should be even more diligent in their study. Similarly, scholars and yeshiva students who always devote all their time to study, must now certainly increase their studies even more, qualitatively and quantitatively. This applies to the revealed aspects of Torah as well as the esoteric teachings of Torah, as developed in Chassidic philosophy and this also includes spreading the wellsprings of Chassidus to the outside.

Likewise, everyone must increase their donations to charity. Businesspeople who always excel in tzedaka and good deeds must certainly add more and more good activities. And the Torah scholars must also see that their good deeds should grow. This effort should encompass down-to-earth physical charity and acts of lovingkindness, as well as spiritual charity, which includes doing a favor for another, materially and spiritually.

No Exceptions!

This also applies to Jewish women who must increase their study in those areas of Torah which guide them in their mitzvos and daily observances, and they must also increase their involvement in charity. This also pertains to small children, before the age of Bar/Bas Mitzva.

Rav! Teach Me, Guide Me, Test Me!

In order to make this effort attainable and easier it would be wise to associate this activity with the directives of the Mishna, “Provide yourself with a teacher” (Avos 1:6).

…It is therefore appropriate that the specific steps to be taken in preparation for Yud Shevat should be done in consultation with the Rav/Mashpia. One cannot decide for oneself to what degree the increase in Torah and tzedaka will be practical and attainable. For this reason, the guidance of the Rav/Mashpia will be of invaluable help.

In order to measure the rate of advancement and preparation leading up to Yud Shevat, it is also appropriate that during this period of 30 days everyone should be tested three times, at intervals of ten days.

I would also request that everyone should grant permission to the Rav/Mashpia to inform me of the results of the tests. By transmitting these results to another person the one who is tested will be motivated to put greater effort into the work so as not be shamed, and instead to receive the good feeling of knowing that others know of his/her accomplishments…

Reprinted from Sichos in English

Beis Moshiach magazine can be obtained in stores around Crown Heights. To purchase a subscription, please go to: bmoshiach.org

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