A New Initiative L’Kavod Chodesh Kislev:

I would like to initiate a project, and I’m sharing it with you because I need your involvement. It is an initiative to stimulate enthusiasm for learning Chassidus.

In 770 there were, perhaps still are, 7 Kanim, Knei-Hamenorah, who would learn an extra hour of Chassidus every night. They would also present, in rotation, a Pilpul in Chassidus on a subject of their choice. Furthermore, once a year a Kuntres was published with these Pilpulim.  This was initiated by the Rebbe, and it worked. The learners learned, and vicariously or by osmosis, enthusiasm for learning Chassidus was generated amongst the Bochurim.

There are presently Shiurim in Nigleh among Anash of Los Angeles, but there is nothing of this sort in Chassidus for and by Balabatim.

I propose as we enter Kislev, the month of the Rosh haShana of Chassidus, to create such a program.

My vision is that once a month (or every three weeks or some other interval) the Lubavitcher Shuls (Cong. LY, Shaare Tefila, Ahavas Yisroel, Bais Betzalel, SOLA, etc.) will invite its members to get together and one Yungerman will present an Inyan for 30 or so minutes, followed by a Q&A period and discussion. If it takes hold, there’s no reason not to publish a Kuntres of their Pilpulim “by the people and for the people!”

If this appeals to you, join me please.  From you I need one or more of these three things:

1. A positive affirmation that you would like to participate as a member of an audience to learn and be stimulated.
2. A positive affirmation that you would like to be considered to participate as a presenter.
3. A positive affirmation that you would like to be considered to participate as an organizer. Three people are needed to work out the details and make it happen.

This is a trial balloon. If there’s a positive reaction, we can get this off the ground very soon. If there’s inadequate reaction, it is a Machshava Tova but not connected to Maaseh.

I’m counting on you to stand up and be counted so that it could become Maaseh.

For now, email me at [email protected].
Gershon Schusterman