Entering into the Heart of the Battle
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
We just celebrated the 30th anniversary of Hei Teves. When we think over the occurrences that led to the trial and victory of Hei Teves a question arises. How does the Yom Tov of Hei Teves compare to other Chassidishe Yomim Tovim, for example Yud Tes Kislev, and what is the central theme of
Hei Teves.
In all there were two days that became special and noteworthy Yomim Tovim during the Nesius of the Rebbe; Rosh Chodesh Kislev and Hei Teves. In the times of the Alter Rebbe there were also two days that became Yomim Tovim; Yud Tes Kislev the day of liberation from the first imprisonment in 5559, and the third or fifth day of Chanukah, which celebrates the Alter Rebbe’s liberation from his second imprisonment
in 5561.
What’s the difference between these two days of liberation of the Alter Rebbe? The first imprisonment of the Alter Rebbe was directed toward him personally (they said that he wanted to be a Jewish king and that he was gathering people and funds in order to carry out rebellion against the Czar) and placed him in physical danger. The Second imprisonment was primarily targeting Toras HaChassidus, not the
Rebbe per se.
We also see this clear dichotomy between the two special Yomim Tovim of the Rebbe in our times. The Yom Tov of Rosh Chodesh Kislev was first celebrated in 5738-1977 after the Rebbe recovered from a massive heart attack and returned home on this day. Therefore this day celebrates being victorious over a physical decree. Conversely the Yom Tov of Hei Teves was primarily a spiritual struggle over the
definition what Rebbe is; it touched the very soul of Chassidus and the soul of the Jewish people. This battle required entering into federal court to clarify the fact that all Chabad Rabbeim are not individuals that act and live for their personal reasons like most everyone else. Rather they serve has a unique anomaly; giving over their lives with total self sacrifice to the Jewish people. The first foundation of all Chabad Rabbeim is their truthful
nullification of their own existence. Being a Rebbe is their integral and primary mission to guide and strengthen the Jewish people in the Torah and mitzvos in general and serve as a living example of this, even when it requires complete self-sacrifice. Only after this comes their personal private lives only when it does not interfere at all with their general and primary purpose.
As it was by the Alter Rebbe
that the second imprisonment was about Chassidus, a spiritual not physical struggle, so too the day of Hei Teves clarifies the soul of Chassidus and the Jewish people: the meaning of a Rebbe.
This is the reason why the court case had to be caused by a blood relative trying to say that a Rebbe is first a private individual and then only later, as if it were like a profession or a job, his secondary purpose to fill
the role of a leader. This was the struggle. This is why we saw throughout the trial that many days the Rebbe would fast and pray by the Ohel, it even affected his health. It’s because it was a spiritual, not a physical battle. Yes it was about the books, but more essentially it was about the meaning of what a Rebbe is for now and for all time. Just as in the times of Chanukah the battle was over the kedusha of the Jewish people, the Torah and
the Beis HaMikdash but the miracle was expressed in the lighting of the menorah so too on Hei Teves there was a redemption of the seforim and we express our simcha by buying and learning in seforim.
Connecting to the Rebbe gives our neshamos the strength to break through all challenges even our personal challenges to do our part on behalf of the Jewish people to bring Moshiach now.
A
Good Shabbos
