97. moshiach weekly Hey Teves

‫שער‬‫התורה‬ ‫בלימוד‬ ‫וההוספה‬ . . .
‫היא‬ ‫והגאולה‬ ‫משיח‬ ‫בעניני‬
‫התגלות‬ ‫לפעול‬ "‫ישרה‬ ‫ה"דרך‬
‫בפועל‬ ‫והגאולה‬ ‫משיח‬ ‫וביאת‬
.‫ממש‬
)‫ה'תנש"א‬ ‫תזו"מ‬ ‫ש"פ‬ ‫(משיחת‬

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Index
3
28
6
12 44
2234
12 34
4 22 44
6 28 49
Publicize Miracles! The French Revolution A Treasure To Be Recoverd
Hey Teves, Not Just a Day A Child's Yearn for the Geulah Behind the Publishing House
Hey Teves The Small Sefer That Is So
Influential In Our Lives
Ma'aloson Shel Yisroel
Dvar Malchus Feature The Rebbe's Library
Editorial Chanukah 5747 Sichos In English
A Step Towards Geulah
Besuras Hageulah
Shabbos Parshas Vayechi - 5751

Throughout the generations, Chassidim in
general never put an emphasis on miracles. in a
letter, written by the Frierdiker Rebbe to the Rebbe
on Chof Daled Teves 5692, where he explains in
length the reason for this, being that in Chassidus
Chabad (as opposed to other Chassidic sects) the
main occupation is on understanding Chassidus
and bringing it down in abodah shebilev and not
focusing on something secondary, as miracles.
As the known saying of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka
(wife of the Tzemach Tzedek): by my father and
grandfather there would be miracles wandering
around, just no one would bother picking them up!
In the letter which the Rebbe wrote back, the
Rebbe says that the above is understood concerning
the earlier generations of Chassidim. However, in
our generation, when people are far from aidelkeit
and ruchnius and are not always capable of being
aroused by haskalah of Chassidus, it is seemingly
necessary to speak about miracles of Tzaddikim.
We see that already before the nesius, the Rebbe’s
opinion was that it is necessary to make a bigger
deal about miracles. Indeed, we find that the Rebbe
would make mention of miracles upon more than
a few occasions throughout the years. However we
don’t seem to find any expression about making the
pirsum of miracles an essential detail in the avodah
of our tekufah.
This all changed in the Sicha of Shabbos Parshas
Vayeshev. The Rebbe speaks about the miraculous
turn of events surrounding the Niggun hoaderes
v’hoemuna. The Rebbe then asked: why are we
mentioning this?
Seemingly a Chossid can claim that he was taught
to Koch in other thing, such as limud hatorah, while
miracles were never that important at all.
The Rebbe answered this saying: firstly, there
must be a thanksgiving to Hashem for the miracles
that He does, Especially as were standing close to
the days of Chanukah, in which there is the mitzvah
of pirsumei nisa (which besides for pirsum of the
miracles of Chanukah, also includes pirsum of all
miracles that happen to us.)
More importantly: the importance of publicizing
miracles will be understood from the following story
which the Gemara relates (Sanhedrin): Hashem
intended to make Chizkiyahu Moshiach.
The Midas Hachesed had then complained to
Hashem: Chizkiyahu, who for him was performed
all these miracles (in the war of Sancheiriv) and
never the less he didn’t sing thanks before you,
you shall make Moshiach?! - From this we see that
publicizing miracles is essential in bringing the
Geulah!
“Therefore we have a horo’ah Ikaris: being that we
have already finished all the inyonim of our avodah,
and the Geulah still isn’t here - now it’s time to carry
out the inyan of “pirsumei nissa”, by publicizing to
ourselves and to others, and in every single place -
the miracles that Hashem does for us, knowing that
it is connected with the Geulah!”
Publicize
Miracles!
Being that
we already
finished our
Avodah, and
the Geulah
still isn’t
here - now
it’s time to
carry out
the Inyan of
“Pirsumei
Nissa”.
:‫ע"י‬ ‫לדפוס‬ ‫והוכן‬ ‫נסדר‬
‫בן‬ ‫משה‬ ‫אברהם‬ ,‫זיסא‬ ‫בן‬ ‫משה‬ ‫אברהם‬ ,‫יפה‬ ‫בן‬ ‫אברהם‬
‫גאולה‬ ‫יאיר‬ ,‫נחמה‬ ‫בן‬ ‫חיים‬ ‫זלמן‬ ,‫פנינה‬ ‫בן‬ ‫אהרן‬ ,‫לאה‬ ‫עטא‬
,‫באשא‬ ‫שיינא‬ ‫בן‬ ‫יוסף‬ ,‫יהודית‬ ‫בן‬ ‫יצחק‬ ‫יוסף‬ ,‫דליה‬ ‫בן‬
‫בן‬ ‫לוי‬ ,‫בלומה‬ ‫מרים‬ ‫לאה‬ ‫בן‬ ‫לוי‬ ,‫דינה‬ ‫בן‬ ‫זבולון‬ ‫יעקב‬
‫הכהן‬ ‫מענדל‬ ‫מנחם‬ ,‫אורית‬ ‫בן‬ ‫מענדל‬ ‫מנחם‬ ,‫באשא‬ ‫שיינא‬
‫מענדל‬ ‫מנחם‬ ,‫חנה‬ ‫בן‬ ‫מענדל‬ ‫מנחם‬ ,‫מיכלא‬ ‫שיינא‬ ‫חי'ה‬ ‫בן‬
,‫פייגא‬ ‫דינה‬ ‫נחמה‬ ‫בן‬ ‫הלוי‬ ‫מענדל‬ ‫מנחם‬ ,‫זיסעל‬ ‫מלכה‬ ‫בן‬
,‫באשא‬ ‫שיינא‬ ‫בן‬ ‫מענדל‬ ‫מנחם‬ ,‫לאה‬ ‫עטא‬ ‫בן‬ ‫מענדל‬ ‫מנחם‬
.‫אילנה‬ ‫בן‬ ‫שמואל‬
Graphics and Design:
M. Abadi
ngbsh770@gmail.com
Rebbe Photos:
Y. Ezagui
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Dvar Malchus
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“Aha! That hints to the time of Moshiach!”
In the famous Sicha of Mikeitz 5751,
the Rebbe explains that being as human
nature causes a person when he koch’s in
a certain inyan, to search for the common
denominator between each thing and the
inyan which he is occupied with. So too by
Yidden who koch in the coming of Moshiach
(as the era demands), must connect each
thing with his coming.
If this is so by each encounter of one’s life,
it must be much more apparent by general
events that occur. It is therefore obvious that
the upcoming day of Hey Teves, a landmark
on the Chassidishe calendar, surely has its
significance to the Geulah.
At first glance however, when looking at
this Yom Tov one could wonder. True, this
is a cause of great joy being that the Seforim
were finally returned to our Rebbe, but what
could be its connection to the Geulah.
Once looking into the words of the Rebbe
after Didan Notzach, one’s doubt can surely
no longer remain. By the Farbrengen of
Shabbos Parshas Vayigash 5747 - just a few
days after the victory of Hey Teves - the
Rebbe explains that the theme of Chanukah
“maalin bakodesh” must continue even after
Chanukah’s end.
Therefore from the Mishkan of which we
read about each day of Chanukah, we must
advance to the Beis Hamikdash. The concept
of the Beis Hamikdash is also hinted in our
parsha as the maamorim in Torah Or – the
Chassidishe Parsha – begin with a possuk
which speaks of the Beis Hamikdash. It is
also connected to the haftorah where we
have the possuk 'vdovid avdi nosi lohem
lolam'.
The Rebbe elaborated on this that in earlier
generations; the learning of pnimius hatorah
washiddenfromevenTalmideiChachomim,
limited to only yechidei ‎segulah. Later in the
time of the Arizal, it became permissible
to reveal pnimius hatorah; however it did
not become widespread. Only through
raboseinu nisieinu did this drastically
change with the spreading of Chassidus in
a way of “havanah v’hasagah”, especially by
way of the Frierdiker Rebbe who spread it
over the entire world by way of his Shluchim
– chayolei beis dovid.
Therefore now, in dor hashvii standing on
the shoulders of a giant amount of avodah
that has been accomplished we have entered
a new era, a period which belongs to the
future Beis Hamikdash and the Geulah,
through dovid malka meshicha!
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Editorial
Hey Teves,
Not Just a Day
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Hey Teves is
a day which
although
seemingly
took place
28 years
ago, still
has a major
impact on
this very
day.
//////////////////////////////////////////
4 | Moshiach Weekly

We are holding at the stage in Avodah where all we have
to do is actually bring down the Beis Hamikdash which
is already built and waiting lmaaloh; this comes about
through hafotzas hamoyonos as Melech Hamoshiach told
the Baal Shem Tov “lchsheyofutzu mainoseicho chutzoh”.
The Rebbe stressed how this comes specifically following
the days of Chanukah, and the beginning of Parshas
Vayigash, especially following Tuesday – “shehuchpol boi
ki tov” – the victorious day of Hay Teves!
Chassidim which learn the Rebbe’s Sichos of 5751-
5752, might not find such expressions anything out of
the ordinary. However for its time 5747, this was quite an
unforeseen revelation, one that the Rebbe repeated over
the following days and Shabbosim.
The message is clear; Hey Teves is not merely another
step in hafotzas hama’ayonos, rather on this day we
actually entered into an entirely new tekufah. It is a day
which although seemingly took place 28 years ago still has
a major impact on this very day; from then onward we
have been in this special new era.
Today however we stand at a more advanced stage; as
the Rebbe informed us that we are even holding by “Imdu
hochein kulchem” - standing ready for the Geulah. We are
already sitting at the set table with Moshiach Tzidkainu,
we find ourselves in “yemos haMoshiach bepashtus” - all
we have to do is to open up our eyes!
Later in the sicha the Rebbe placed the responsibility
upon us, to publicize the special era in which we find
ourselves. Stressing that this is relevant to each and every
Jew regardless of age or importance, and most definitely
not a message directed at a specific sector or nussach.
,‫מיוחד‬ )‫(ומקום‬ ‫בזמן‬ ‫אנו‬ ‫נמצאים‬ ‫אלה‬ ‫שבימינו‬ ‫ולפרסם‬ ‫להכריז‬ ‫יש‬ :‫"ולכן‬
‫כלשון‬ ,‫רבו‬ ‫בלשון‬ ‫לומר‬ ‫אדם‬ ‫וחייב‬ - ‫ויחיד‬ ‫אחד‬ ‫ענין‬ ‫אלא‬ ‫בו‬ ‫נותר‬ ‫לא‬ ,‫אשר‬
‫מלכא‬ ‫דוד‬ ‫בביאת‬ ‫העתיד‬ ‫ביהמ"ק‬ ‫לבנין‬ ,‫כולכם‬ ‫הכן‬ ‫עמדו‬ ‫אדמו"ר‬ ‫מו"ח‬ ‫כ"ק‬
."‫משיחא‬
Each Chossid is eager and willing to fulfill his Shlichus.
Occasionally however, when it comes time for action,
doubts can arise in his mind if he is really capable of
relaying such a message, or perhaps the message is not
fitting for this particular individual.
As always, "‫באווארנט‬ ‫אלץ‬ ‫האט‬ ‫רבי‬ ‫"דער‬ in this very same
Sicha, the Rebbe preempted this issue:
“One can come and complain: such speech is “vilde reid”
(wild speech) which has never been heard in previous
generations! Why now the change? How will the world
react upon hearing such things?’
“It is therefore necessary to know, that there is no need
to be nispoel from the world being as this is the truth
according to Torah. Furthermore in today’s world people
are ready to hear such messages; the only thing required
is a person to give over the message in a way of “dvorim
hayotzim mhalev” which is then readily accepted – as
evident by those who act in such a way.”
We stand right before the hisgalus; as the Rebbe assures
us,eventheworldisready.Ifonewillpayattentiontoworld
events around us, as the extreme advance of technology
and the wars taking place in the Arab countries, he will see
it clearly; all we need to do is to open up our eyes. Certainly
by making the Geulah a priority in our lives, we will truly
live Moshiach’dike leben ourselves - which will also make
it easier for us to publicize the Rebbe’s message to others.
It is on this note that we present the Teves issue of the
“Moshiach Weekly Expanded Edition” including many
articles and essays further portraying the connection
of Hey Teves as well as Sifrei Kodesh in general with
Moshiach - along with many other Moshiach related
articles.
May it be through this koch in inyonei Geulah
U'Moshiach that we will finally merit to the coming of
Moshiach, with the descent of the built and waiting Beis
Hamikdash – revealing to all the true purpose of our
creation – now!
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Hey Teves 5775 | 5

A
s all Yemei Hageulah, the
celebration and Simcha
of Hey Teves is measured
based on the hardships preceding
it. From when the Rebbe first spoke
about the robberies in public, on Yud
Beis Tammuz 5745, the Chassidim
realized and felt that the Rebbe takes
it in utmost seriousness.
During one of the Farbrengens
in that period, the Rebbe got very
overwhelmed so to speak, and
expressed that the dispute is not over
the Seforim but rather ‘der beinkel -
the chair’, the very nesius of the Rebbe
himself. Chassidim explained this
saying that B. G. the one who took the
Seforim, claimed them his because he
is the rightful heir of the Frierdiker
Rebbe. Seemingly the dispute was non
other than a heavenly decree against
the Rebbe’s leadership.
The Rebbe addressed this by saying
“Just like it says that Yaakov avinu
did not die, so too the Rebbe, my-
father-in-law, did not die. He is alive!
And furthermore, the Rebbe becomes
more alive, more powerful and more
active constantly and a live man does
not pass on inheritance”.
6 | Moshiach Weekly

At first glance, when
looking at Hey Teves
one could wonder.
True, this is a cause
of great joy being
that the Seforim
were finally returned
to our Rebbe, but
what could be its
connection to the
Geulah?
In this article, we
will look into the
Rebbe's words which
followed Hey Teves,
thereafter one’s
doubt can surely no
longer remain.
The discernable pain that was felt
by the Rebbe by this story shook
Chassidim to the core. This issue was
one which concerned the Rebbe and
beis harav personally. Tehillim was
said copiously and many Hachlotos
Tovos were taken to hurry the Pidyon.
Bochurim made 24 hour shifts to
guard all the entrances of 770 to make
sure that nothing of the like should be
repeated.
On Chanuka 5746, the Rebbe spoke
about what the other side had claimed
that ‘Lubavitch is not active’.
The Rebbe said that though it this is
obviously something which is totally
not true, Lubavitch must now prove
that we are so active that what was in
the past will be considered as being
‘inactive’. The Rebbe then instructed
that a special book should be printed
with pictures of Chanukah lightings
all over the world.
Throughout 5746, starting already in
Tishrei, the Rebbe shturemed about
the importance of adding in Simcha.
On Shabbos Parshas VaYishlach the
Rebbe said the famous Maamer of
“margeloh b’pumei d’rovoh”. In this
Hey Teves 5775 | 7

Maamer the Rebbe explains that
the derech of avodah is no longer
through merirus rather solely
through Simcha.
Many felt that the Rebbe’s
constant encouragement to add in
Simcha is tied into what Chazal say
that Simcha has the special power
to break through and nullify all
negative things.
Bochurim were so sure that
eventually there would be a victory,
that many stocked up on mashke
and had the bottles ready in their
lockers for the moment the good
news would come.
And indeed it came! Hey Teves in
the morning, as the first Bochurim
heard of the ruling, yisron haor
min hachoshech - the light and joy
from such pain was unleashed.
The feeling in the air was that in
the midst of this great victory
the Rebbe was finally going to be
nisgaleh as Melech HaMoshiach.
One of the highlights of this story
is how the Rebbe consented to
Chassidim making it into a Yom
Tov. The Rebbe came down to
daven on a the big bimah in the
big zal, something reserved for
Tishrei1
. After davening the Rebbe
said a Sicha, and so on for the next
week - every night another Sicha.
The Rebbe also declared an eis
ratzon, an auspicious times for
requests to be fulfilled, and said
to send in panim to be read at the
Ohel.
A week of celebration followed,
from Hey Teves through Yud Beis
Teves. Nights turned to days and
mashke flowed like water.
In the Sicha of Hey Teves,
the Rebbe discussed the
imprisonment and liberation of
the Alter Rebbe. The Alter Rebbe
then inquired whether he should
stop spreading Chassidus. The
answer was that on the contrary, he
should continue more than before.
The Rebbe continued “The claim
was that Lubavitch is not active.
How can there be room for such
a claim? Lubavitch has done great
things and even wondrous things.
By now, even the teaching of aleph
beis has been permeated with
Chassidus, and connected with
atzmus, so to speak. Furthermore,
the Rebbe has told us that
everything is complete and all we
must do is to polish the buttons!
This means that the body and
soul are complete, the clothes are
complete and even the buttons
- something secondary to the
clothes - are complete. All we must
do is to stand ready for Moshiach.
How can one say that we are not
active?
The only explanation is that
Hashem wants us to do more.
To continue and multiply our
activities of spreading Chassidus”.
On the second night, the Rebbe
spoke about that days chitas, in
The Psak Din which was
presented to the Rebbe
8 | Moshiach Weekly

which Hashem tells Yaakov avinu
not to worry when he goes down to
Mitzrayim, ‘for I will make you a big
nation there’. The Rebbe explained,
“Mitzrayim refers to Golus. We find
ourselves now in the end of Golus,
and Hashem may not (and does not
want to) push off his promise of ‘I
will make you a big nation there’ -
while still in Golus. Hashem must
do it right away, so we can then be
redeemed immediately afterwards.
On the third night, the Rebbe
discussed the fact that Yaakov
sent Yehuda to Goshen to set up
a Yeshiva. The Rebbe demanded
to add in institutions of Torah and
Tefillah, in general and in personal
homes. The Rebbe then spoke
in special terms regarding the
transportation of Shuls and batei
Chabad to Eretz Yisroel, saying
“When Moshiach will come the
clouds will take all the Shuls, batei
Midrashos and Chabad Houses
to Eretz Yisroel. The clouds will
definitely rejoice on all the new
institutions added, and be excited
to take the new ones especially”.
Leil Shabbos when the Rebbe
came in for kabolas Shabbos tens
of guests who had arrived from
Eretz Yisroel were present who had
come to spend these special days
with the Rebbe. On the way a little
girl wished the Rebbe ‘Mazal Tov’.
After Davening on the way back to
his room the Rebbe turned to this
girl and told her, “Gut Shabbos! We
want Moshiach now!”.
When Shabbos Parshas Vayigash
arrived, the first Shabbos following
the ruling, the Chassidim’s
expectations were high. This would
be the first Farbrengen with the
Rebbe since the ruling. And indeed,
they were not disappointed. At that
week’s Farbrengen the Rebbe spoke
very strongly about Moshiach and
the need to demand his arrival
through the cries of ‘ad mosai!’
During the Farbrengen Chassidim
put the words of ‘ad mosai!’ to
many of the Niggunim sung by
the Farbrengen, at one point even
plainly chanting the words ‘ad
mosai’, demanding that the Geulah
of the sforim lead straight into the
true and complete Geulah.
The Chassidishe Parsha - Torah
Ohr of Parshas Vayigash speaks
about the Beis Hamikdash. The
Rebbe discussed this and then said,
“We must announce and publicize
that we find ourselves now in a
special time and place, when there
is only one thing left to do: Stand
prepared - everyone - for the
building of the Beis Hamikdash
and the coming of Moshaich.
And therefore every single Jew
has the Shlichus to bring and reveal
the Beis Hamikdash, which is
already built and ready in Heaven,
and just needs to come down and
be revealed.”
The Rebbe then spoke of the
lengthy Golus and said, “Hashem
promised Avrohom avinu that the
Yidden will leave this Golus with
great riches. The reason the Golus
is so long must be in order to get
more riches, but by now this reason
is not applicable anymore, for we
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Seemingly the dispute was non
other than a heavenly decree
against the Rebbe’s leadership.
Hey Teves 5775 | 9

already have the great riches of of
Torah and Mitzvos throughout all
the generations!
So maybe the reason is because
Hashem enjoys when the Yidden
demand ad mosai - how long
must we be in Golus?! And then
immediately Moshiach will come!
But even this can only be done
properly when Moshiach will come.
Sitting at that Farbrengen was
the Rov of Crown Heights, Rabbi
Yehuda Kalman Marlow. He
quickly made up his mind that he
would not let the Rebbe’s words
linger solely in chants and slogans,
but that they must be channeled
into concrete actions.
So, that very night, he gathered a
group of twenty five Rabbonim to
discuss what they can halachically
do regarding this issue. At that
meeting, Rabbi Marlow wrote up
an extensive psak din ruling that
Moshiach must come without
delay. The Psak was signed by all
those in attendance.
The following morning, Rabbi
Marlow, along with some other
Rabbonim, positioned themselves
in Gan Eden Hatachton, near the
entrance to the Rebbe’s room, in
order to hand the Psak to the Rebbe.
Upon receiving the Psak, the
Rebbe leafed through it for some
time, and then said: “May Hashem
satiate your heart’s desires in all
that is written here in. And to
quote the Rambam: Amen! Indeed,
may it be His will! And may it be
immediately. Particularly since we
find ourselves thirty days before
Yud Shvat.
May we hear good news. And may
this day be transformed into one of
“joy, happiness and festivals.”
On the Sicha of the night of 12
Teves, the Rebbe put an end to the
week of chaos. The Rebbe rebuked
the Chassidim who weren’t careful
with the fast of Asara B’teves.
The Rebbe also demanded to
start not only rejoicing because of
the Seforim, but to actually sit and
learn. The learning was to be as a
preparation for Yud Shvat, and
everyone must be tested on what
they are learning.
The Rebbe then spoke about
the Geulah. ‘The Frierdiker
Rebbe already said we must stand
prepared for the Geulah. Stand
prepared!’
It is said, that some Bochurim in
Oholei Torah were in middle of
taking of test. The Bochurim heard
that ‘Didan Notzach’ and they ran
to 770 right away. A week later,
after the all the Farbrenging and
After the all the Farbrenging and
dancing, the Bochurim returned
to Oholei Torah to find their pens
and papers exactly where they left
them.
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10 | Moshiach Weekly

dancing the Bochurim returned
to Oholei Torah to find their pens
and papers exactly where they left
them.
Hey Teves is known as the Yom
Tov of the Seforim. The Rebbe
requested from Kehos to set a
huge sale on all Seforim, and that
everyone should buy Seforim on
Hey Teves. On Hey Teves 5752,
Kehos not only made the sale for
that day - they announced that
they are making the sale until
Moshiach will come!
Up until this very day that
we celebrate this unique joyful
occasion, a day when a heavy
burden of agmas nefesh which
laid on our Rebbe was promptly
removed. Through taking to heart
these words of "imdu hochein
kulchem" which the Rebbe
stressed time and again during the
period following Didan Notzach -
we should be zoche to the removal
of all pain and suffering with the
immediate descent of the built and
ready Beis Hamikdash.
1. Later from Tishrei 5750 the Rebbe
davened on the big Bimah the entire
year round.
The sale Kehos made, which lasted
‘until the coming of Moshiach’
Hey Teves 5775 | 11

I
t was just a few days before
Chanukah of 5752. The crowd
gathered at 770 listened closely as
the Rebbe’s voice echoed through 770. It
was a mere six months earlier that the Rebbe
demanded that Chassidim do all they can to
bring Moshiach. Ever since that astounding
Sicha, the Rebbe stressed, week after week,
how imminent Moshiach’s arrival is. But on
Shabbos Parshas Vayeishev, the Rebbe took
Moshiach's imminence to a completely new
level.
The Rebbe began the Farbrengen,
describing the changes which had occurred
in France throughout the past generations.
From being a place of klipa, which the Alter
Rebbe fought wholeheartedly, to becoming
what France is today, a country flourishing
with Yiddishkeit.
This change can be seen in the French
national anthem as well. The French national
anthem, is a melody rooted in the core of the
French Revolution, and composed over two
hundred years ago, on the eve of the French
Hey Teves 5775 | 13

assault on Austria. It was with the
chords of this melody that thousands
of eager Frenchmen were to celebrate
the authority that had been wrested
from the monarchy. Thus, this
melody came to symbolize precisely
the self-assertive Napoleonic spirit
which grew out of the Revolution
- which the Alter Rebbe strongly
opposed.
However on Simchas Torah 5734,
to the Chasdidim's surprise, the
Rebbe taught this melody to the
words of ho'aderes veho'emunah.
Shortly afterwards, certain notes
of this song were altered by the
French. The Rebbe explained this
phenomenon, as France willingly
giving over its national anthem to the
Chassidim. Indeed, it is miraculous
that a country should change its
national anthem, particularly one
so deeply rooted in its history. This
fact alone bears testimony to the
unique spiritual changes that have
transpired in France.
The Rebbe then continued: All this
is a result of the transformation of
the klipa of France. Standing so close
to the Geulah, we were even able to
transform the klipa that the alter
Rebbe opposed, into kedusha!
In this article we will explore the
revolution from its varied facets,
thereby receiving a comprehensive
picture of its breadth and scope,
underscoring how a country
infamous for its low moral standards
has been transformed into a country
with one of the strongest Lubavitch
communities, made from scratch.
The turnover can be divided into
four stages:
1. From the times of the Alter
Rebbe, through the mid 5690s, when,
despite the measured inroads of the
light of Kedusha and Chassidus,
France continued to serve as a place
of defiant impurity.
2. Starting in the 5690s until 5722,
when the foundations were laid
for the subsequent blossoming of
Yiddishkeit in this locale.
Or in the words of the Rebbetzin
in 5728, to Mrs. Basya Azimov (then
Basya Shemtov) before she embarked
on Shlichus with her husband to be,
Rabbi Shmuel Azimov: “We plowed
and sowed and your job is to reap the
harvests”.
Meaning that while the full
development of Chabad in Paris
and its environs happened only
years later, nevertheless, the key
breakthrough occurred during that
period.
3. Starting with 5722 (1962) and
This article is based on extensive interviews with the individuals
personally involved in these unique events. We would like to thank
the many people who took from their time to share their memories
with us, and searched through their archives to share photos and
documents printed here. The following is a partial list.
Rabbi Mendel Abrahams, Rabbi Mendel Azimov, Rabbi Yaakov
Biton. Rabbi Yechiel Kalmenson, Rabbi Shmuel Labkowski, Rabbi
Reuven Matusof, Rabbi Shmerel Matusof, Rabbi Elchonon Dov
Morozov, Rabbi Pinchas Pashter, Rabbi Abraham Baruch Pevzner,
Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Pevzner, Rabbi Chaim Slonim.

on through the late eighties, when,
despite the blossoming and fruition
of the energy and exertion that
the Rebbeim and their Shluchim
invested in France throughout the
generations in the unique style of
France, Moshiach and the complete
redemption were not yet placed in
bold relief, as the time had not yet
arrived.
4. From around 5751 to date,
per the instructions of the Rebbe,
Moshiach has become the main
focus, with unique initiatives in
the realm of spreading the Besuras
Hageulah, and the Geulah message
clearly being the undercurrent of all
other activities.
France the Klipa:
In 5572, Napoleon invaded Russia,
subsequent to his vast conquest
in other parts of the world. At
first glance, the ill-equipped and
antiquated Russian army did not
seem to stand a chance versus the
well-armed modern French army,
led by Napoleon. Moreover, some
of the greatest Torah leaders of that
generation were of the opinion that
his victory would greatly benefit
the Yidden, as their dire physical
situation would drastically improve,
thereby alleviating the tremendous
difficulties and distractions to
keeping Torah and Mitzvos which
they had encountered until then due
to financial strain etc.
However, the leader of that
generation, the Alter Rebbe,
contended that the opposite was
true. While their physical lot would
improve should Napoleon win, their
spiritual state would deteriorate, as a
life of affluence would tremendously
distract them from Yiddishkeit.
On the other hand, if the Russian
Czar would win, the Alter Rebbe
maintained, although Jews might
suffer physically, they will retain
their connection to Yiddishkeit in its
fullest sense.
Therefore,theAlterRebbeputgreat
efforts, physically and spiritually, to
ensure the victory of the Czar and
the downfall of Napoleon. This was
till the extent that when his eldest
son, the Mittler Rebbe, saw with
his own eyes the horrendous sight
of the entire Russian senate fleeing
Moscow, the Alter Rebbe reassured
him and even swore that ultimately
Napoleon will suffer a complete and
utter downfall - which did indeed
materialize not too long after.
The Alter Rebbe’s abhorrence of
Napoleon was so extreme that he
did not to remain in the territories
which Napoleon conquered, instead,
he fled.
On the other hand, we find that
the Rebbe Maharash traveled
multiple times to France, making
multiple baalei Teshuvah there, as
in the famous story when the Rebbe
Maharash entered a casino in one
of the most elegant hotels in Paris,
approached one of the gamblers and
told him “young man, Yayin Nesech
blocks the heart and mind”, after
which the man found no peace until
he did complete Teshuvah.
This new attitude towards France
intensified, when the foundation
and core of the legendary “hemshech
te’erav” was laid in Menton, a resort
in southern France. Nevertheless,
France still retained its intense
impurity as evident from the fact
that neither the Rabbeim nor their
Shluchim dwelled in France on a
permanent basis, rather merely
traveled there for brief visits.
This all changed abruptly in 5693.
The Breakthrough:
In 5693, the Rebbe and Rebbetzin
were sent by the previous Rebbe
to settle in France. Once there,
the Rebbe began a large variety of
activities, on all fronts, to transform
France into a place of Torah study
and fulfilment of Mitzvos.
From shiurim and outreach to
personal advise, the activities of
the Rebbe and Rebbetzin defied
and shattered the prior unspoken
barriers to Yiddishkeit .
The few details that are known
of these vast activities have already
been documented elsewhere at
length. We will suffice with one story
to illustrate the extreme devotion of
the Rebbe to this particular cause.
The Rebbe would deliver a weekly
shiur on Gemoro in the local Shul in
Paris. One week, a devout participant
Hey Teves 5775 | 15

The first
Mitzvah
Tank in
France
called the Rebbe, suggesting that
there was no need for the Rebbe to
show his presence, since there would
probably be low - if any - attendance
due to the bad weather condition.
The Rebbe decided to appear anyway
and learnt with a lone participant
who did indeed arrive despite the
rain.
Eight years later, in 5701 the Nazis
invaded France, as a result of which,
the Rebbe and Rebbetzin fled Paris
and eventually made their way, via
various other French towns, to the
safe shores of America. However
after the war (circa 5707), the
main body of Russian Lubavitcher
Chassidim arrived in France and,
almost immediately upon arrival,
founded a branch of Tomchei
Temimim - similar to the original one
in Lubavitch - in the pristine locale of
Brunoy, inside the pre-revolutionary
mansion of Napoleon's brother.
Upon its opening, the Frierdiker
Rebbe wrote them a very enthusiastic
letter stating “…we cannot fathom
the great pleasure and nachas you
are thereby causing to the Rebbeim
on high”.
Nevertheless, there still wasn't
much movement in the realm of
spreading Yiddishkeit in France,
especially relative to its great
potential.
Reaping the fruits:
Brunoy, France 5722 - this bucolic
setting still housed Yeshivas Tomchei
Temimim, reestablished there some
15 years ago, albeit in a smaller and
more subtle fashion. The cause of this
difference between the two was that
only select personage remained to
maintain the Yeshiva, while
the vast majority of anash
(for whom the Yeshiva had
been exclusively geared)
had already moved from
France, making
their way to
Eretz Yisroel,
America and
the like.
More so,
while there
still remained
select anash in
France as per
the Rebbe’s
instructions,
the younger
g e n e r a t i o n
dreamed to
finally make their way to 770 to
constantly be in the Rebbe’s presence,
as many of them eventually did.
As a result, the very existence of
the Yeshiva was under threat and,
if something would not change
drastically, would possibly be forced
to close.
Two key factors changed the
picture. Firstly, as a major migration
of Algerian Yidden began at that
time, the Rebbe instructed Reb Hillel
Pevzner, a member of the hanholo
in Yeshiva, to begin expanding the
scope of the Yeshiva. Consequently,
the amount of talmidim increased
measurably.
Most importantly, due to the
dwindling number of Talmidim, the
Rebbe sent six Bochurim as Shluchim
to strengthen and bring a new chayus
into the Yeshiva. The Shluchim were:
Reb Avraham Lipsker, Reb Shimon
Lazarof, Reb Shmaryahu Roitblat,
Reb Asher Tzirngold, Reb Yaakov
Shimon Goldberg and Reb Bentzion
Shifrin.
They arrived in France after Pesach
5722, remaining there until Tishrei
Reb Mulle Azimov learning with the young
Cheder children

that year. While there, not only did
they breathe new life and vitality into
the Yeshiva, but they also told over
Sichos on Shabbos in different Shuls
around Paris.
(The vast majority of Shul-
attending Yidden still spoke Yiddish
in that period, consequently,
although the Shluchim did not speak
a word of French, it was still possible
for them to communicate with
French Jewry).
However, the Talmidim
HaShluchim returned to New York
before Tishrei, leaving a void in
their place. When Reb Nissen asked
the Rebbe what to do, the response
was that the local Bochurim should
continue where the Shluchim left off.
At that point there were three
bochurim who were old enough to
facilitate this task. They were Reb
Mulle Azimov, Reb Yaakov Goldberg,
and Reb Zalman Labkowski.
It is noteworthy, that when Reb
Zalman Labkowski visited the Rebbe
during this period and requested
permission to stay, the Rebbe
answered “. . there are one or two
of my Shluchim in France who are
active, do you want to take them
away also?!”
Each one of them was intensely
active, giving multiple shiurim
in Paris daily, thereby greatly
affecting tens of Yidden and
frequently hosting them in the
Yeshiva for Shabbos.
By 5726, both Reb Zalman
Labkowski and Reb Yankel
Goldberg had both gone to study
in 770, leaving Reb Mulle Azimov
as the only remaining member of
the original trio.
In addition to his activities
throughout the year, Reb Mulle
Azimov (and the other bochurim
when they were there) would bring a
large group of youth for the summer,
to be enveloped 24/7 in a Yeshiva
atmosphere, reaping the expected
results.
By summer 5727, the number of
youth attending the program had
grown to one hundred, making it
impossible for the Yeshiva to fill this
capacity. As a result, the program
moved to another location.
Earlier,inspring5727,theinfluence
of the Yeshiva on secular French
jewry took on a new dimension, with
the launch of Mivtzah Tefillin.
This is how it developed in France:
When Reb Yaakov Yehuda Refson
heard the Rebbe's demand, he
immediately felt the need to act upon
them in their most simple sense - to
actually lay Tefillin with Jewish males
who didn’t do so alone, despite the
fact that it was totally out of the
norm in those days to stop people on
the street and ask if they were Jewish.
However, when he approached Reb
Nissen to receive permission, he was
told that the Rebbe does not mean to
In 5707, the Rebbe came to greet
his mother, Rebbitzen Chana, in
Paris, after she escaped Soviet
Russia. It is related, that the Rebbe
visited a institution containing
over eighty girls saved from the
war, and Reb Zalman Shneorson
exerted himself extensively to save
them. Many arrived with a cross
still on their necks.
When the Rebbe visited them,
he addressed the girls for an
extended period of time, with
tears occasionally dripping from
his eyes. The girls were greatly
inspired by the address, and by
many this stands out as one of
the most momentous occasion of
their lives.
•
Reb Shmaryhu Susunkin, once
encountered the Rebbe walking
down the streets, looking inside
a fully opened newspaper. When
the Rebbe noticed his presence he
remarked, "in Paris it's impossible
to stroll with open eyes..." ( It
was later discovered that the
newspaper was ages old.)
The Rebbe's visit
There are one
or two of my
Shluchim in
France who
are active,
do you want
to take them
away also?!
Rabbi Pinchos Pashter learning with a group of
teens in the first years of his Shlichus.
Hey Teves 5775 | 17

actually go out on the street to put
Tefillin on people, rather, the Rebbe is
speaking of the the concepts as they
are on high. In turn, Yaakov Yehuda
countered that the Rebbe says what
he means what he says and says what
he means - in its most literal sense.
This argument continued for a while,
until Reb Nissen finally confronted
him asking if he really thinks this
is the Rebbe's intention. When he
answered in the affirmative, Reb
Nissen told him to go, instructing
him to report back his results.
Even with this permission in hand,
he still faced one final obstacle - he
did not speak a word of French.
Therefore, he took along a French
ba'al teshuvah, Mordechai Elbaz, to
help him communicate.
They arrived in the Pletzel (the
old time center of the Jewish
community) walked into a caffe, at
that point Mordechai hesitated, but
Yaakov prodded him on.
After hearing a quick explanation
as to the purpose of their visit, the
owner promptly rolled up his sleeve
and ordered his jewish patronage
to do likewise. All present swiftly
complied, while Reb Y Y Refson
explained to them, that by putting on
Tefillin, they can help their brothers
in Eretz Hakodesh. This scene
repeated itself in multiple locations
around the city.
When he reported back, Reb
Nissen was shocked and exclaimed
“giliuy elokus b'muchash!” (a clear
revelation of G-dliness!). From those
miraculous beginnings, Mivtza
Tefillin continued uninterrupted
until this very day. To date, there
exists more than one hundred
Mivtzoim routes on which countless
people lay Tefillin weekly, as well as a
general reconnection to Yiddishkeit.
However, even with all of these
intense projects, the activities and
their results still remained limited
due to the restricted manpower
available.
This all changed in 5730.
In 5730 six bochurim came of age
to be Shluchim, Reb Yosef Yitzchok
Labkowski, Reb Mulle Gurevitch,
Reb Yosef Yitzchok Matusoff, Reb
Avraham Baruch Pevzner, Reb Yosef
Yitzchok Horowitz and Reb Yitzchok
Goldberg.
At last, with six bochurim putting
hours daily into shiurim, the work
truly began to blossom, with the
amount of shiurim and ba’alei
teshuvah, increasing drastically,
yielding the results that we can see
today with our own eyes.
In the beginning, the shiurim
took place in the building of Talmud
Torah 99 rue du tamp, until Beis
Lubavitch on rue du Lamartine was
purchased in 5732, broadening the
cramped quarters somewhat, though
not entirely.
As Reb Shmuel Labkowski, a
Shliach from 5732 through 5736,
testfies, at his shiur, besides the
people seated around the table, the
room was packed with students
seated on the floor etc.
These in depth shiurim were one
of the main factors of the success. As
Reb Mulle Azimov recounted, in his
only interview he ever granted in the
mid mem’s, that at his first meeting
with any Yidden, he obligated him
to participate weekly in three hours
of shiurim, thereby giving him a
solid base in Yiddishkeit, leading
eventually to a full Torah lifestyle.
Another unique aspect of the
Shlichus in France which
led to it's extreme success,
was that Reb Mulle knew
what others did not yet
know (rather eventually
realizing years later), that
The French
Kinus
Hashluchim
Picture
There is no
doubt that
Moshiach’s
Hisgalus is
beginning to
take place in
France.

the goal and point of our Shlichus is,
to bring people to the Rebbe, thereby
having a irreversible life changing
effect on them.
In the same vein, of the first
things given over to the mekorovim
by Reb Mulle was that the Rebbe is
Moshiach.
The activities of the Talmidim
HaShluchim were so successful
that in 5737 they purchased and
furnished the first proper Mitzvah
tank in France.
Unfortunately, in 5741, the intense
involvement of the Shluchim of
Tomchei Temimim in hafotzo was
abruptly halted, thereby severing, to
a major degree, the deep connection
French Jewry had enjoyed with the
Yeshiva that had brought them an
undiluted version of Yiddishkeit and
Chassidishkeit.
However, by then the French
revolution had grown to proportions
large enough to be deemed
unstoppable and continued to grow,
albeit in a more measured fashion,
until this very day.
Di Aintzike Shlichus
After the Sicha of 28 Nisan
5751, France took an active role in
publicizing Moshiach’s imminent
arrival.InaninterviewwithMoshiach
Weekly, Reb Mendel Azimov recalls
how during Chanukah Live his father
- Reb Mulle, was greatly excited,
as it was just days after the Sicha
of Vayeishev 5752. He therefore
instigated a tremendous
koch, regarding
Moshiach’s coming at
the live broadcast seen
by thousands worldwide.
In regard to Reb Mulle
in general, his son-
in-law Reb Elchonon
Dov Morozov relates: to my father-
in-law, Moshiach was a constant
theme which permeated every fiber
of his being. Every peulah he did,
was geared to the goal of bringing
Moshiach. Furthermore, he made
mention many times that the Rebbe
is Moshiach, and he will be nisgale
speedily.
To the tune of the sicha on
Shabbos Vayeshev 5752, Reb
Mendel Azimov notes the growth
of the Jewish community in France.
With the many Yeshivos, Jewish
schools, Kosher restaurants, and
the 180 Shluchim who run over
30 Chabad Houses, there is no
doubt that Moshiach’s hisgalus is
beginning to take place in France.
Due to the vast amount of peulos,
we will suffice with a small sample
of varied activities and stories.
Hopefully, this will provide a general
picture of how the avodah of l’hovi
l’yemos haMoshiach was executed in
France.
The Peulos burst forth in full force,
in Reb Elchonon Morozov’s words
”All we did in those years was -
Moshiach.”
The Lag
B’omer
Parade in
Carcel
A Huge
billboard in the
center of Paris
encouraging
Yidden to add
in Tzedaka to
bring Moshiach
Hey Teves 5775 | 19

As Yud Alef Nissan neared, a huge
parade was prepared in connection
with tish’im shana. With banners
and balloons covering many cars,
the parade was called ‘the Moshiach
Parade’. The parade marched through
Sarcelle and Aubervillier.
In the winter of 5752, Mrs Basya
Azimov organized, on behalf of
Neshei Chabad of France, multiple
events with the theme of kabolas
hamalchus, with the consent and
Bracha of the Rebbe.
Similarly, Reb Hillel Pevzner,
Founder of Sinai Lubavitch
Educational Complex, organized
a melava malka on the theme of
kabolas hamalchus. His son, Reb
Yosef Yitzchok Pevzner relates: in the
winter of 5752 my father placed a full
page advertisement in the primary
Jewish newspaper of France, the
'Actualite Juive' (at the time, the only
Jewish newspaper in France), inviting
one and all to the melava malka,
and explaining the unique period
we have entered. The advertisement
contained the famous slogans
regarding Moshiach's coming, such
as “hichono lbias haMoshiach”,
“hiney zeh Moshiach bo” and “higia
zman geulaschem”.
The event took place with great
success, my father was the main
speaker at the event, he spoke with
enthusiasm saying that the walls
must start shaking, while speaking at
length about the new tekufa and that
Moshiach is very near.
In the same vein, Reb Yechiel
Kalmanson, Rosh Yeshiva in Brunoy,
recalls how he once spoke in the
Yeshiva, explaining at length the
concept of kabolas hamalchus, and
that the Rebbe is Moshiach and we
must accept his kingship in a serious
fashion. Subsequently the staff and
student body promptly signed and
were mekabel the Rebbe, as Melech
HaMoshiach.
This initiated a large koch in
Moshiach in the Yeshiva, and
particularly, that the Rebbe is
Moshiach. Reb Elchonon Morozov
(who served as a Maggid shiur in the
Yeshiva in the beginning of 5755)
relates: Reb Mendel Gurevitch (the
menahel gashmi of the Yeshiva)
Farbrenged, saying how if we look
into the Sichos, we see that the
Rebbe is Moshiach. When someone
tried calming him down, He replied
very sharply, “why are you speaking
nonsense . . ”?
I also recall, how we started a
daily shiur in Geulah U'Moshiach.
In fact, when each weeks Sicha was
published, all the Bochurim would
jump on the Sicha, learn it, talk about
it, and live with the new giluyim. The
general feeling in the Yeshiva was,
that Moshiach was about to arrive.
To date, the Yeshiva continues to
very strongly koch in Moshiach, both
the students and hanhala.
Reb Pinchas Pashter recalls: The
Moshiach campaign in France
was such a success, that whenever
someone met a Lubavitcher, he was
asked about Moshiach. It was as if
the entire France was living Geulah.
Reb Yaakov Biton, Shliach in
Sarcelle, France relates: Every Motzei

Shabbos we would have a conference
on the topic of Geulah U’Moshiach.
Aside from a weekly distribution of
Moshiach flyers to all the houses in
our community, and hosting a weekly
lecture on the topics of Moshiach,
we also arranged a monthly yom
iyun, focussed fully on the topics of
Moshiach.
In5754,theFrenchMatteMoshiach
headed by Reb Yaakov Blum and Reb
Reuven Matusof (among others),
opened with the Rebbe’s Bracha.
They were responsible for the many
shiurim on inyonei Moshiach and
Geulah, as well as the many billboard
signs and posters proclaiming
Moshiach's arrival, which were hung
all across Paris.
To conclude, Reb Chaim Slonim,
Shliach of Dijon, France, shared with
us a heartfelt thought with regards
to his present Shlichus: I am on
Shlichus in a relatively small city in
France. As in other small cities, the
Jewish population has drastically
dwindled in the past couple of years.
Some people say that we should
leave as well, “why waste your time
on a couple of Yidden, when you can
find a location where you can come
into contact with a greater amount of
Yidden?"
However, as Lubavitchers we know
that the opposite is true. Now is the
time of the Geulah where no Jew will
be left behind, therefore, we must
reach out to every last Jew in every
far flung corner of the world, in order
to prepare him for the imminent
complete Geulah, "veatem teluktu
l’echod echod".
May the Geulah arrive
immediately. Rebbe, oy Rebbe, galai
kevod malechuscha alainu. We
cannot continue like this, ata tashuv
techayainu, uneranena venismecha
bechal yamainu.
No Jew will be
left behind,
therefore, we
must reach
out to every
last Jew in
every far
flung corner
of the world,
in order
to prepare
him for the
imminent
complete
Geulah.
A float
made by
Chabad of
Carcel on
the theme
of v’gar zev
im keves
Hey Teves 5775 | 21

The crowd listened closely as
the voice of the famed Chossid,
Rabbi Yaakov Yehuda Hecht
- affectionately known as JJ -
echoed through 770. It was during
the 8th seudas hoda’ah and Rosh
Chodesh Kislev Farbrengen, in
the year 5747, when Rabbi Hecht
said these historic words:
“Rabosai, we live in a time
when 'kolu kol hakitzin’. In the
American language this means
that Moshiach is long overdue.
Just by looking into the era in
which we live, we can tell that
it is not the norm. After all that
has occurred in recent times,
the heartbreaking nebach tzaros
which we go through in our daily
lives, we see that we are not living
in tranquil times. Definitely not
the way it is meant to be.
“But rabosai we must do
something! We have to wake up
and destroy all hardships. We
must cry out and beg Hashem
to have mercy on us. There is
a Midrash on Bereishis that
explains after the churban, a
decree was made in Heaven on
all talmidei chachomim, that
they would have to learn with
tremendous pain. Why is this? In
order to propel them to daven for
Moshiach! Rabosai, why does pain
exist in the world? Just to get us to
daven for Moshiach! If such is the
case, why don't we see everyone
davening for Moshiach?!
“I recently heard a story about
a child from the Valley who was
asked last Purim to sing ‘We
Want Moshiach Now.’ The child,
however, refused to sing, saying
that he has been singing for
Moshiach to arrive for over three
years, and still Moshiach has yet
to appear.”
“Rabosai, we are in Golus for
nearly 2000 years, and Moshiach
is still yet to come. Ad mosai?!
How long do we need to wait?!
Who has enough koach to hold on
any longer?! Why does Hashem
have to burn out all of our kochos?
“In my humble opinion, I believe
we should write in to the Rebbe
and beg that he have rachmonus
on us, ad mosai?! We do not need
to wait for a special day to ask the
Rebbe, and then just add it to the
pan kloli, which we would anyway
write for that day. We must do
something today. Today is a day of
rachamim - a day of Farbrengens.
A day that we thank Hashem for
giving us our Rebbe, and today is
the day we must demand from the

Rebbe to have rachmanus on us and bring
Moshiach now!
"I am not an important person to state all
my opinions, but I know how much it pains
my heart. Rabosai, Hashem should help
that from this seudas hoda’ah, we should go
together with the Rebbe to greet Moshiach.
Everything that needs to be done for klal
Yisroel as a whole should happen now. As
the Rebbe says ‘mamosh, mamosh, mamosh’
- three times, that Hashem should help, to
make all Jewish hearts shake, and to feel how
the world is shaking like never before!
"Let us beg the Rebbe to plead for mercy
on our behalf, and right away we should go
with him at our head, to greet Moshiach
Tzidkeinu, and see the building of the Beis
Hamikdash hashlishi, speedily in our days."
The atmosphere was thick. Chassidim sat
in awe, looking at one another, wondering
what could possibly happen next. Rabbi
Hecht, however, being a man of action, did
not rest for a moment. He started making
his first arrangements for something which
would, in his opinion, bring this bitter Golus
to an end.
Preparations began in full swing. Rabbi
Hecht decided that at the next Tzivos
Hashem children’s rally, he would present
the Rebbe with a pan signed by all the
children, requesting of the Rebbe to bring
Moshiach now.
Rabbi Hecht explained his idea to the school
principals, and supplied them with copies of
the pan. The goal was to get each child to sign
the pan, and have a few children represent
their respective schools. Each child was to
give a dime as well, which would be given to
the Rebbe together with the signatures.
• • •
RabbiBentzionKorfrelates:“Iwasan11year
old boy in Oholei Torah elementary school,
when the principal called me into his office
during the first days of Chanukah. He told
me that this year there would be something
very special - at the Chanukah rally we would
be giving a pan to the Rebbe expressing
that Moshiach should come, and that I was
chosen to have the privilege to give it to the
Rebbe. My joy cannot be described on paper.
I excitedly came home telling my parents
about the special zechus I would be having,
and started getting ready for the special day.
“On the morning of the fifth day of
Chanukah, I woke up early and went to
Mikvah, put on special Shabbos clothes and
learned something special. Throughout the
entire rally, I had one thing on my mind, that
I would soon be presenting the Rebbe with
the signatures. It was definitely one of the
highlights, of my entire childhood life.”
Mrs. Pessy Shochat relates: ”I was a new
girl in Beis Rivkah, in fact my first year there,
when one day Rabbi Newman - our principal,
called me into his office and told me that I
will have the zechus to give the signatures to
the Rebbe. I was overjoyed. I would be the
one to represent all girls, in asking the Rebbe
to bring Moshiach."
• • •
I believe
we should
write in to
the Rebbe
and beg
that he have
Rachmonus on
us.
A Pan written by a child,
asking for Moshiach
Hey Teves 5775 | 25

Thedayishere,thefifthcandlewillsoon
be lit. Aside from the regular excitement
which preceded the ordinary Tzivos
Hashem rallies, this one had something
unique. 770 is packed with children of all
ages, preparing for the historic moment,
when the pan will be given to the Rebbe.
From when the Rebbe walked into Shul,
the excitement was felt. As the band
played “Sheyibone”, all eyes were on the
Rebbe. The Rebbe made his way up to
his Bima, turned around to the children
and began encouraging the Nigun, as the
singing intensified.
In the first Sicha, the Rebbe mentioned
that every child should make their
room into a house of “Torah, Tefilla,
and Tzedaka”, and inspire others to do
the same, appropriate for the theme
of Chanukah to light up the darkness
outside - “Al pesach baisoi mebachutz”,
for this will hasten the “Chanukah
present” which Hashem will give us -
Moshiach.
During the translation, Rabbi JJ
Hecht asked the children “what will
be Hashem’s “Chanukah present” to
us? They all screamed out in unity
“Moshiach”! It was a sight to be seen. He
then praised them for listening to what
the Rebbe was saying, at that point the
Rebbe smiled broadly and looked very
happy, and satisfied.
After the Rebbe finished the third
Sicha, JJ began to introduce what was
about to happen.
"Usually I give a Brocho at the end" he
began, "but we are going to do something
different now. Listen kinderlach,
everybody in this room and throughout
the world I want you to hear what's
happening here tonight.
The entire
rally I had
one thing on
my mind, that
soon I would
be presenting
the Rebbe the
signatures. It
was definitely
one of the
highlights,
of my entire
childhood life.

"The children wrote a pidyon
to the Rebbe, it is signed by 1770
signatures of the kinderlach,
their names and their mother's
names, and all the kinderlach
have given a dime for the
pidyon. In the pidyon which the
boys will bring up to the Rebbe,
they ask the Rebbe to do that
what he has been talking about
all this time.
"It says over here, that the
kinderlach are asking a special
request of the Rebbe, just like he
told us we can ask by our parents
that they should do something
special for us on Chanukah, so
this Chanukah we are asking of
the Rebbe something special.
We want that the Rebbe should
ask from the Commander-in-
Chief in Heaven, that we want
Moshiach now!
"I want you to know, that these
kinderlach went to Mikvah
today, and they are coming
up together with the bags of
pidyonos. And after that, we
will have the maidlach, come up
with the pidyonos on behalf of
the girls."
The children representing
the boys schools - Bentzion
Korf of Oholei Torah, and
Menachem Mendel Umener
from Lubavitcher Yeshiva -
went up first. Followed by the
children representing the girls
schools - Pessi Wolfson and
Sara Gansburg of Beis Rivkah.
As the children gave the pan
to the Rebbe, the Rebbe smiled
broadly.
The Rebbe then turned to the
shtender and said:
‫ווערן‬ ‫געבראכט‬ ‫פדיונות‬ ‫די‬ ‫וועלן‬ ,‫כרגיל‬
‫רבי׳ן‬ ‫דעם‬ ,‫דורינו‬ ‫נשיא‬ ‫פון‬ ‫ציון‬ ‫אויפ’ן‬
,‫ממש‬ ‫בקרוב‬ ‫אז‬ ‫רצון‬ ‫יהי‬ ‫און‬ .‫שווער‬ ‫דעם‬
,‫ישראל‬ ‫כלל‬ ‫בתוך‬ ‫אייך‬ ‫פון‬ ‫יעדערער‬ ‫זאל‬
,"‫בציון‬ ‫אלוקים‬ ‫אל‬ ‫''יראה‬ ‫דעם‬ ‫ווערן‬ ‫מקוים‬
‫אז‬ ,"‫חסדך‬ '‫הוי‬ ‫"יראנו‬ ‫אז‬ .‫בגופים‬ ‫נשמות‬
‫יעדערער‬ ‫באווייזען‬ ‫וועט‬ ‫אויבערשטער‬ ‫דער‬
- ‫חסד‬ ‫זיין‬ ,‫ישראל‬ ‫כלל‬ ‫בתוך‬ ,‫אונז‬ ‫פון‬
‫יעדערער‬ ‫געבן‬ ‫וועט‬ ‫ער‬ - ‫לנו‬ ‫תתן‬ ‫וישעך‬
‫כלל‬ ‫און‬ ‫ישראל‬ ‫כלל‬ ‫בתוך‬ ‫און‬ ,‫אונז‬ ‫פון‬
,‫בארצינו‬ ‫כבוד‬ ‫לשכון‬ ‫ביז‬ ‫ישועה‬ ‫זיין‬ ‫ישראל‬
‫בימינו‬ ‫במהירה‬ ‫והשלימה‬ ‫האמיתית‬ ‫בגאולה‬
!‫אמן‬ !‫בראשינו‬ ‫צדקינו‬ ‫ומשיח‬ ,‫ממש‬
As usual, the pidyonos will be
brought to the Tziyon of the
Frierdiker Rebbe. Yehi ratzon,
that very soon, we shall see the
fulfillment of the possuk ‘yeiro’eh
el elokim betzion’, by all Yidden,
neshomos in bodies. Hashem
should grant all Yidden, his
goodness and salvation until
He will rest His shchina in
Eretz Yisroel, with the Geulah
ho’amitis vehashleimah and
Moshiach at our head, Amen!
The children all replied, Amen!
These moments are described
in the yomanim as 'an awesome
moment' and 'Lucky is the one
who saw this all'.
Rabbi JJ
Hecht asked
the children
“what will
be Hashem’s
“Chanukah
present” to
us? They all
screamed
out as one
“Moshiach!”
Hey Teves 5775 | 27

As is well-known during the years
5751-2 there was a tremendous
hisorerus in inyonei Moshiach, the
anticipation for the hisgalus being
genuinely felt literally 24 hours of the
day.
Even following the Rebbe’s stroke
on 27 Adar I 5752, despite over six
months of chassidim not seeing the
Rebbe, this anticipation continued
to soar, all felt that immediately the
situation would be turned around
and the Rebbe would be become
gezunt and lead us all to Eretz Yisroel
as Moshiach. From Tishrei 5753
the Rebbe began to come out to
chassidim encouraging, almost daily,
the singing of “Yechi” which brought
a new chayus in all peulos to bring
about Bias HaMoshiach.
Anash and tmimim added in
learning an abundance of inyonei
Moshiach according to the Rebbe’s
request and direction to learn in
depth this subject. However a major
difficulty was felt in this regard. In his
instruction to learn inyonei Moshiach
the Rebbe asked for two different
types of study: One was to be a
general study of all topics to do with
Moshiach as documented throughout
Nevi’im, Gemara, Midroshim,
the Rambam and especially Toras
HaChassidus. On this note the Rebbe
in a most special act distributed
the booklet “Dvar Malchus” on 15
Iyar 5751 containing four Sichos
explaininggeneralconceptsofGeulah
U’Moshiach. The second was that the
Rebbe said that an emphasis should
be placed on learning parts of Torah
which illustrate how the Geulah is
already at the doorstep enabling us to
truly live with Moshiach already now
in these last moments of Golus1
.
In the Sichos said in those years
the Rebbe did just that connecting
all events happening in the world at
that time to Moshiach. The excited
crowd gathered in 770 and the thirsty
readers of the Sichos worldwide never
needed to wait long to hear the Rebbe
connect the world's current state of
affairs to the fact that the time of our
Geulah is here2
.
At that time these historic words
had already been printed in the
weekly sichos the Rebbe had edited,
The sefer “Besuras HaGeulah” at first glance
seems like just another of the many likkutim com-
piled about Inyonei Geulah U’Moshiach. However
as our readers will soon observe this is not at
all just another Sefer.To better grasp the prime
importance and chiddush of this Sefer Moshiach
Weekly held a special interview with Rabbi Shm-
uel Chaim Bluming of Oholei Torah Zal, compiler
of the sefer who shed light and recounted the
special days when the Sefer was released.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Hey Teves 5775 | 29

however, at that time
Sefer Hasichos 5752
had not even yet
been printed making
it nearly impossible
for one who wished
to thoroughly absorb the
Rebbe's message regarding
the imminent Geulah. First of
all he would need to have in his
possession all of the Sichos and
even if he did have them all this
particular matter was scattered
throughout sichos which had
come out during over a year and a
half. And thus the need arose for
a new publication. A book from
which everyone could clearly see
and learn all the Rebbe’s Besuras
HaGeulah in one place, and not
need to look around in Seforim
and shuffle through pamphlets.
A book from which one could
easily study and share with others
the Rebbe's message regarding
the impending redemption
offering true inspiration to live
with Moshiach.
At this point Rabbi Shmuel
Chaim Bluming came in to the
story but first let us preface
regarding the Besuras HaGeulah
in general:
During Menachem Av 5750,
Reb Yosef Kazen OBM, made
an intriguing post on a door
at the back of 770. It was the
following yalkut shimoni, which
he publicized in connection with
the situation developing in the
Middle East at the time:
“In the year that Moshiach
will be revealed, the Kings of the
world’s nations will battle each
other. The King of Persia will war
with the King of Arabia, and the
King of Arabia will to the nation
of Aram in order to take advice…
And all the nations of the world
will be in an uproar and be
confused… Yisroel will scream
and be frightened and say, to
where shall I go? Where shall we
go? And Hashem tells them, “My
sons, don’t be afraid. All that I
am doing is only for your sake…
don’t be scared. The time of your
redemption has arrived.”And
the final Geulah will be unlike
the first. The initial Geulah was
followed by pain and battles with
others. But with the final Geulah,
there will not be any suffering or
war afterwards.”
As the Rebbe was exiting 770
after maariv, he stopped and
looked at the sign which Yosef
Kazen had posted. Later on the
Rebbe instructed the mazkir
Rabbi Leibel Groner to tell
Rabbi Kazen to add the section
of the Midrash which followed
the aforementioned one to his
display: “Raboseinu said: At the
time of the coming of Moshiach,
he will stand on the roof of the
Beis Hamikdash and announce:
Humble ones, the time of your
redemption has arrived!”
From that point and throughout
5751, the Rebbe referred to this
midrash on countless occasions
showing how all of its details
accurately described the events
which were taking place at that
time. The Rebbe explained that
the revelation of Moshiach
described by this midrash is not
the ultimate revelation which
will take place in the Geulah.
Rather, the midrash is discussing
the revelation of Moshiach which
will occur while the Yidden are
still found in the midst of Golus!
The Rebbe explained that this
understanding of the midrash
can be easily inferred. It is
obvious that after the descent
of the Beis Hamikdash and after
all Klal Yisroel arrives in Eretz
Yisroel on heavenly clouds,
there will be no need for the
announcement “the time of your
redemption has arrived” because
it will be obvious for all to see.
In light of this, the Rebbe
further explained the meaning
of what the midrash says that
Moshiach will stand on the roof
of the Beis Hamikdash to make
his announcement:
In Hilchos Beis Habechirah, the
Rambam states that the roof of
the Beis Hamikdash was not holy
with the same kedushah of the
Beis Hamikdash itself. Bearing
thisinmind,theRebbeexplained,
one can say that the midrash
is hinting to something quite
extraordinary. One could say
that Moshiach’s tiding of “higia
zman geulaschem” will come
from Beis Rabbeinu of Bavel!
For this is the Beis Hamikdosh
of chutz l’aretz which is not holy
with the same kedushah of Eretz
Yisroel. A parallel can easily be
drawn with the above-mentioned
difference between the roof of
the Beis Hamikdash and the Beis
Hamikdash itself.
This fact is even hinted to in
Halacha: At the end of Hilchos
Melochim, the Rambam writes
that Moshiach will build the
Beis Hamikdash in its place (‫ובנה‬
‫במקומו‬ ‫.)מקדש‬ The Rebbe asked:
Why does the Rambam write
that Moshiach will build it “in its
place”? He should write clearly
that Moshiach will build the Beis
Hamikdosh in Yerushalayim.
The Rebbe answered that the
words “in its place” are a remez
from the Rambam. He is hinting
that Moshiach, while still
anticipating the Geulah before
its actual arrival, will build a
Mikdash Me’at as a preparation
for the descent of the true Beis
HaMikdash Hashlishi.
Now the truth is that Vaad
Lehafotzas Sichos had already
put out a small kuntres “Hinei
Zeh Bo” in 5751 in which was

collected a portion of the
Rebbe's Sichos regarding
the Besuras HaGeulah,
however the job was far from
completion the first reason
being that tens of sichos on
this subject had been said
following its printing.
Among the individuals who
recognized this necessity
was Rabbi Shmuel Chaim
Bluming of Crown Heights.
He went to Vaad Lehafotzas
Sichos and suggested they
print something to this effect.
The Vaad told Rabbi Bluming
this was a phenomenal idea
and that they would be happy
to print the work if he would
compile it.
At this point, the search
was started to seek out all
the Rebbe’s besuras of the
at-hand Redemption. Rabbi
Bluming sat down and learnt
extensively all the Sichos
which were said since the first
time that the Rebbe gave over
the announcement of “higiah
zman geulaschem”selecting
the parts from each of those
sichos which he thought
should go into the new
publication. He then sent his
work to the members of the
Vaad Lehafotzas Sichos, who
looked over and finalized the
groundwork laid by Rabbi
Bluming.
A question that remained,
however, was regarding
the title. Two suggestions
were brought up one being
“Leshonos Hageulah”, the
second being “Besuras
Hageulah”. Also in the air
was the subtitle which was to
be printed on the shar blaat.
Several options were thought
of: “Melukat Misichos K’vod
Kedushas Admu”r shlita”
or “Melukat Mitoras K’vod
Kedushas ...” or simply “M’eis”
- of - the Rebbe. Both of these
decisionswerebroughtbefore
the Rebbe during the mid-
summer of 5753. The Rebbe
chose the name “Besuras
HeGeulah Meis K’vod
Kedushas Admu”r shlita”.
This in effect had a lot of
meaning to it demonstrating
that the sefer is not simply a
likkut from the Rebbe’s sichos
regarding the Geulah; this
sefer is literally the Besuras
HaGeulah of the Rebbe!
In all of the Rebbe’s seforim,
at the end of the pesach dovor
includes a date. Throughout
the years the Rebbe would
choose the date for every
sefer and kuntres which was
put out by Kehos. For Besuras
HaGeulah the Rebbe chose
the date Rosh Chodesh Av
5753. It is interesting to note
that the Hayom Yom of this
day speaks exclusively about
Moshiach.
What is even more
interesting is when
considering the content of
the Hayom Yom there the
Rebbe writes: “The distinctive
quality of Moshiach will be
humility. Even though he
will be on the highest level
and will teach Torah to the
Avos and Moshe Rabbeinu,
nevertheless he will possess
the ultimate humbleness
and self-annulment, and will
teach even simple people”.
So too, “Besuras HaGeulah”
is based on the midrash
where Moshiach announces
his message to Bnei Yisroel
describing them as being
“Anovim” - the humble ones.
Sometimepassedfollowing
the Rebbe’s approval of the
printingofthebookandithad
still not been sent to print.
Hey Teves 5775 | 31

Photo: Baruch Ezagui
When Rabbi Bluming inquired
about this by the Vaad they
informed him that they wanted
this sefer to be the one to make a
total breakthrough in regards to
a concept often discussed in the
sichos of 5751-2 that being: the
identity of Moshiach.
For generations it was common
belief and simply obvious among
chassidim that the Rebbe of the
generation would be Moshiach
if the generation would merit
the Geulah. This subject was
even discussed on a number
of occasions by the Rebbe
throughout the years. Together
with the Rebbe emphasized that
this belief was to be kept low-
key so as not to distance people
from Chassidus. During the
Sichos of 5751-2 (many of which
quoted in “Besuras HaGeulah”)
the Rebbe spoke of the Geulah
as a process which had already
began to take place. Unlike in
previous generations the Nosi
HaDor was not merely “the
potential Moshiach” but rather
said that we were zoche that he
“had already been revealed as
Moshiach”. In numerous sichos in
a relatively short span of time the
Rebbe spoke passionately of this
fact, also mentioning on several
occasions the Gemorah that
“Moshiach Menachem Shmoi”3
.
At this time the Rebbe received
enthusiastically the signatures of
Anash and Neshei Chabad being
mekabel the Rebbe’s Malchus
as Melech HaMoshiach and
gave permission for this to be
brought even to the “chutza” if
it deemed fit by the Lubavitch
institution on site4
. During 5753
a great hisorerus was created
by the Rebbe’s (almost daily)
encouragement of “Yechi” until
it had come to a point that a
thought arose to print in a sefer
printed by the official Lubavitch
publishing house, Kehos,
“Melech HaMoshiach” on the
Rebbe.
During Yemei Haslichos
5753 the mazkir spoke to the
Rebbe regarding the printing of
“Besuras HaGeulah”. The mazkir
asked5
“Melech HaMoshiach is
written in the forward. Does it
matter?” The Rebbe indicated
that it did not. The mazkir then
asked, “This is the first time
that a publication of Kehos has
officially written that the Rebbe
is Melech HaMoshiach. The
Rebbe doesn’t mind?” The Rebbe
again indicated in the negative.
The mazkir continued “Then
may can continue to do so?” The
Rebbe nodded his head, giving
his approval.
“Besuras Hageulah” was
quickly printed and released
during Aseres Yemei Teshuva
5754 bring the first Kehos
publication to include with the
Rebbe’s name the title .
Due to the Rebbe’s agreeance,
the next sefer that came out Sefer
Hasichos 5752 wrote “Melech
HaMoshiach” with the Rebbe’s
name and so too, many Kehos
seforim afterwards included this
newly crowned title.
Upon its release, “Besuras
Hageulah” was immediately
snatched up by Anash, temimim,
and shluchim. Yeshivahs and
shuls the world-over established
shiurim on the sefer and many
even made a custom to learn
a portion of it daily before
or following davening. After
Gimmel Tammuz 5754, several
known chassidim revealed that
the first thing they did when
they heard the news of what
transpired they went through
“Besuras Hageulah” from cover
to cover. They felt that at this
dark period dafka, when doubts
seemed to rise in holy Nevuah
of the Rebbe, it was important to
set things straight in their minds;
to strengthen their emunah in
and with the clear words of the
Rebbe.
Later, in 5756, the parts of
“Besuras Hageulah” which were
said in Yiddish were translated
into Hebrew. In connection to
this was the printing of a pocket-
sized edition. The Rebbe told
us6
that the derech hayeshorah,
the straightest, easiest, and
fastest way to bring Moshiach is
by learning Inyonei Moshiach.
Based on this, it has been said
when one uses the pocket-
sized “Besuras Hageulah” he
attains “U’velechtecho b’derech
hayeshorah”. After the Hebrew
translation was made, it was
printed in English in booklet
form week by week and
distributed among Anash. In
5758, a full English translation
was published under the sub-
title “The Announcement of the
Redemption”.
To finish off, we will the
following anecdote explaining
the chiddush of the Rebbe’s
special request to add the part
of the midrash speaking of
Moshiach announcing to the
Yidden that the time of their
redemption has come.
The beginning of the midrash
plainly says that the year when
Moshiach will be revealed is
the year when certain events
will occur in the world. After
these battles and such occur,

Hashem will tell the Yidden their
redemption is here. If the year
goes by and Moshiach did not yet
openly come and involve himself
in these matters, than the world’s
events of that year were not
what the midrash was referring
to and the time of redemption
has not yet arrived rachmona
litzlan. But the sefer “Besuras
HaGeulah” tells us worry not!
In sicha after sicha the Rebbe
proves how the description in
the midrash did indeed occur
and in that very same year the
Rebbe’s sichos are replete with
the Besuras HaGeulah of “Higia
zman Geulaschem”! Following
this historic announcement - the
beginning of the Rebbe’s hisgalus
as Melech Hamoshiach may we
be zoche to the total hisgalus
with the Rebbe leading us out of
Golus immediately Amen kein
yehi ratzon!
1. See Sichas Shabbos Parshas
Balak 5751
2. In connection to this it is
worthy to note that Iyar 5751 a
second booklet of Likkutei Sichos
b’Inyonei Geulah u’Moshiach was
prepared for print and given in to
the Rebbe for approval. Some nine
months later, on 3 Shvat 5752, the
Rebbe instructed that it be hastily
printed and that there be added to
the Likkutei Sichos a number of
sichos from 5752 which deal with
inyonei Moshiach (!)
3. Sanhedrin Daf 98, Omud 2.
4. In early Shvat, Rabbi Nachman
Meir Bernhard, shliach in
Johannesburg, South Africa, asked
theRebbeinaletter(freetranslation):
“…Everyone agrees 100% to the
above, we only hesitate on account
of our uncertainty that the Rebbe
is in favor of such activities. (In the
past, the Rebbe expressed his clear
opposition to such matters, saying
that they would distance Jews from
the study of Chassidus. But now
people are claiming that there are
indications that the situation has
changed; that now such activities are
indeed desirable). Therefore, I dare
ask - is the hour now appropriate for
"‫מלכם‬ ‫דוד‬ ‫”?"ובקשו..את‬
Several days after Yud Shvat
the Rebbe answered: "‫בתנאי‬ ‫תלוי‬
‫לברר‬ ‫אתר‬ ‫שעל‬ ‫חב"ד‬ ‫על‬ .‫."המקום‬ On a
number occasions the Rebbe also
gave positive responses regarding
activities done in this direction. See
And He Will Redeem Us pg. 65-72
5. This testimony is recorded in
the Yoman “Beis Moshiach 770”
which was printed at the time.
6. Sichas Shabbos Parshas Tazriah-
Metzorah 5751
Hey Teves 5775 | 33

T
hroughout history, Yidden have
been known as “The People of
The Book”. It is therefore no
wonder that Seforim have always been a
central part of Yiddishkeit, especially within
Chabad. A central part of the nesius of the
Chabad Rebbeim, starting from the Alter
Rebbe, was accumulating seforim for the
Chabad library. Today, the library of Agudas
Chassidei Chabad holds a staggering
Hey Teves 5775 | 35

250,000 seforim, including rare first
prints and special editions.
The significance of the library
goes back to the imprisonment
of the Alter Rebbe, in which the
government confiscated over
one hundred of the Alter Rebbe’s
Seforim to go through them and
ascertain whether he was plotting
against the Russian government.
These Seforim were returned
upon his release from prison. The
Alter Rebbe amassed hundreds of
Seforim, which, when considering
the situation in Russia at that time,
was quite a large collection. The
Alter Rebbe’s library was a seed
which would blossom into one of
the most unique libraries in the
Jewish world.
During the nesius of the Tzemach
Tzedek, the library's existence was
threatened. During this time period,
fires in Lubavitch were a common
occurrence. One such fire took its
toll on a large amount of Seforim,
damaging a portion of the library.
Each of the Rabbeim made
an innovation in the library and
undertook different methods of
organizing it. This was important,
especially considering the vast
spectrum of topics which it
contained.
The importance of the library is
emphasized by the attention the
Rebbeim showed to it. The library
played a great role in the history of
Chabad. It was treated like an only
child, with great love and care.
In the words of the Rebbe Rashab,
shortly before his Histalkus: “ich
gei in Himmel, di kesavim loz ich
eich,” (I am going to Heaven, but
the writings I leave for you), thus
highlighting even further the level
of care the Rebbeim showed to the
Seforim.
The Move From Lubavitch
The year was 5674. Dark clouds
of war loomed over White Russia
as the bordering German army was
preparing to attack. Reports began
flooding in, and day by day the
horrible oppression of the German
army toward Jewish communities
became public knowledge.
In Tishrei 5676, as the situation
continued worsening with no end
in sight, the Rebbe Rashab made the
decision to move from Lubavitch to
the city of Rostov. The epicenter
of Chassidus Chabad for over one
hundred years would need to be left
behind. The matter was no simple
one and it entailed much hassle,
both physical and spiritual, with
transportation largely by horse and
buggy. This was added to the fact
that Russia was then a war-torn
country; World War I was at its
climax. All of this made the
transportation of the library,
especially considering
the size of the library, a nearly
impossible feat.
Around a month before the
planned departure, plans were
underway as to where to store the
library. A city nearby with a safe
storage house was needed, safe
from the invading army as well as
from natural causes such as water
and fire damages.
After much search they found
it, and the library was split into
two. The bulk of the library,
containing around 12,000 Seforim,
were packed into containers and
transferred by a special wagon to a
storage house located in Moscow,
owned by the famous Chossid and
gvir Reb Zalke Persitz, with the
intention to recover them as soon
as conditions permit. The second
part of the library was the collection
of Kisvei Yad so dearly cherished by
the Rebbeim, and 60 or so other
essential Seforim. This container
was to travel with the Rebbe Rashab
to Rostov on Sunday 16 Cheshvan
of that year.
Seforim Proclaimed
Government Property
The following three years after
the move from Lubavitch, with the
First World War taking place, it
was impossible to get the Seforim
to Rostov. Rostov was controlled
by the Germans, and Moscow by
the Bolsheviks. Reb Zalke Persitz,
the owner of the above mentioned
storagehouse,suddenlybecamesick
and passed away in 5679, leaving all
his possessions to the government.
Soon after, on Beis Nissan 5680,
the Rebbe Rashab passed away,
with the Seforim still in the hands
of the Bolsheviks, leaving the job of
dealing with the government for the
Frierdiker Rebbe to take care of.
Many efforts were made by the
FrierdikerRebbetohavetheSeforim
returned. Letters were written to
different departments, and finally
The matter was
no simple one
and it entailed
much hassle,
both physical and
spiritual, with
transportation
largely by horse
and buggy.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

permission was given.
However the fact that
the Seforim were stored
on a second floor and
weighed a lot made the
cost of the transportation
very high and therefore a
large sum of money was
needed for the transfer
to be made. Considering
the conditions of those
times, with a war torn
country and the hunger
so prevalent, the amount
needed was an impossible
one to raise.
Meanwhile the government
transferred the thirty five crates
of Seforim to the largest library
in Russia, at the time named the
Romnitzov library, (it was renamed
at a later date to the Lenin library)
making the release of the Seforim
all the more complicating.
A large part of the complications
were caused by a Librarian named
Shmuel Eizenshtat. Being a firm
Zionist, he desired to take revenge
on the Chabad dynasty, which
was known for their opposition
to Zionist beliefs. He went to the
department heads of the library
and persuaded them not to return
the library; the answer given to
the Frierdiker Rebbe from the
department heads was that it was
too much of a loss to return the
collection and that they had no
permission from the higher ups to
return the library.
Agudas Hatmimim
It was Motzei Shabbos Parshas
Shemini, a group of bochurim got
together and established Agudas
Hatmimim and finally America
wouldn't be different. All those
who merited to learn in Lubavitch
would gather together once a
month and brainstorm together,
finding ways to get everything the
Rebbe wanted done.
It didn’t take long for this small
organization to become the
leading organization of the Rebbe’s
activities in America, meriting
hundreds of letters from the Rebbe
as well as exact instructions as to
how everything should be run. The
Agudah actually played a great role
in the release of the Rebbe from
prison in 5687.
Just a few short months after
its founding, the Agudah decided
to join the battle. They heard
of the great agmas nefesh the
Rebbe was having from the whole
situation of the library and
they wanted to help. The
response received from the
Frierdiker Rebbe on Yud
Bais Tammuz 5686 made
it official and the newly
created Bais Rebbi was now
an organization dedicated
to fight for the release of
the Seforim.
The letter reads:
Regarding the
establishment of the
organization “Bais Rebbi”,
dedicated to retrieve the Rebbe
Rashab’s Seforim, which were
taken by mistake (illegally) to one
of the library’s in Moscow. To such
feeling I give my full respect to all
those participating in it. For me
there is no doubt that they will
succeed, being that it is coming
from those which treasure the
Rabbeims’ memory.
Further on in the letter the
Frierdiker Rebbe instructs the
organisation to get people of
stature involved in the matter,
Hey Teves 5775 | 37

thus bringing greater respect to the
whole case.
Many of the efforts by Bais Rebbi
are documented, telling the story
of a battle with no success, being
pushed away again and again by the
soviet regime.
Leaving Russia
Slowly but surely the new
government started issuing new
laws against Yiddishkeit and
eventually all public display of
religion were banned, resulting in
thestartoftheChabadunderground
movement which made their
priority that every city have a
cheder and mikvah together with all
the other necessities for a frum Yid.
The government soon caught on
and being that the Frierdiker Rebbe
was the one leading the way, on the
15th of Sivan 5687 he was arrested,
eventually leading to his expulsion
from Russian shores. Just before
leaving Russian soil the Frierdiker
Rebbe received permission to take
with him all the Seforim from the
Chabad dynasty of Rebbeim. This
fact demonstrated again that the
government never confiscated the
library. However the Frierdiker
Rebbe was forced to leave taking
with him only the valuable kisvei
yad. The 12,000 stolen Seforim
would have to wait just a bit longer.
While in Poland, the Frierdiker
Rebbe didn’t give up, and sent a
request to Reb Osher Rabinowitz,
living at the time in Boston, to
file requests by the american
government to put pressure on the
soviet government. Eventually it
made its way to the foreign minister
Mr. William Phillips. His answer
was short in coming:
As you no doubt realize, in view
of the fact that Rabbi Schneerson is
not a citizen of the United States,
this government is not in a position
to take any formal steps to induce
the soviet government to return to
him the books and documents in
question.
For the next five decades in
which contact with the Russian
government was lost, doubts
kept coming up as to the library’s
existence at all, and in all practicality
there did no seem to be any hope of
getting them back.
First Impressions
Finally he found it; he found
something that would bring some
joy to the Rebbe. It was 5741 and
Rabbi Berel Levin was working on
finding something that would truly
interest the Rebbe to compliment
the Mishlaoch Manos he was
planning on sending to the Rebbe.
And then he got it. He had recently
spoken with Chaim Lieberman the
librarian of the Frierdiker Rebbe’s
library, and he mentioned that
he had a catalog with a list of all
the Seforim found in the Rebbe
Rashab’s library, it was written a
little while before the Rebbe Rashab
left Lubavitch for Rostov.
Later on that year, the Rebbe sent
an urgent message to Reb Shlomo
Cunin, head Shliach to California,
to make contact with the famed
tycoons Mr. Jerry Weintraub and
Mr. Armand Hammer, to use their
connections with the Kremlin
influencing them to return the
library to Lubavitch.
From there it was a long and
complicating journey. The Kremlin
claimed they didn't have the
Seforim. Even after a list of the
Seforim that were in the Rebbe
Rashab’s library was sent to the
Kremlin the Kremlin replied that
no collection of the sort is known
to them.
The truth is, that at that point no
one was sure of the current state of
the library. The list of things that
could have happened to it was a
long one, with strong suspicions
being that the Seforim were taken
to the library of the Yevisetzkia.
If that was the case, a bulk of the
Seforim in this library would have
been destroyed by the Nazis ym”s
during the Second World War.
It’s therefore no wonder the
excitement of Reb Yosef Friedman
who, on a visit to Russia, confirmed
that 12 of the Seforim which Reb
Berel Levi had asked him to check
were listed in a catalog of the
Lenin library, which meant that the
The Kremlin claimed they didn't have the Seforim. Even
afteralistoftheSeforimthatwereintheRebbeRashab’s
library was sent to the Kremlin the Kremlin replied
that no collection of the sort is known to them.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Seforim were never taken by the
Yevisetzkia making the possibility
of the library’s existence rise
steeply.
Preparations Start
It was the beginning of Kislev
5748, when the Rebbe requested a
group to be sent to Russia. Their
job was to find the exact location of
the library, and then put pressure
for them to be released. The group
comprised of three Chassidim, each
a master in his field, specifically
chosen for this special Shlichus.
Preparations were quickly made,
getting everything in place. Visas
had to be made and the lists of the
known Seforim had to be prepared,
together with the other technical
details of the trip. A date was then
set for their departure - Sunday
Chof Teves.
About a week before taking
leave on his mission, Reb Berel
Levin wrote a letter to the Rebbe
asking to verify the whole itinerary,
including in it a detailed outline
of the upcoming trip. The Rebbe
made many changes on the letter
and added quite a few things ( - see
sidebar), giving them an extra Koch
in their Shlichus.
The Rebbe Makes It Public
It was just a few short days before
the fourth Siyum Harambam,
Shabbos Parshas Shemos 5748.
That Shabbos afternoon, the Rebbe
Farbrenged. After a few Sichos
concerning the upcoming siyum,
the Rebbe said a Sicha which left
everyone shocked. Other than the
few individuals involved, there
was hardly anybody who knew
that there existed a library that
belonged to the Rebbe Rashab that
was being held in Russian hands.
So it’s no wonder to the shock of all
present when they heard the Rebbe
saying these words:
“Being that Parshas Shemos is
all about Geulah, it’s understood
that today there’s a special
nesinas koach to do the mitzvah
of pidyon shevuyim.
Now, pidyon shevuyim doesn’t
just apply when Yidden ‫שרק‬ being
held in gentile hands, rather
even when it comes to property
of yidden, we are commanded
to do this mitzvah, all the more
so when speaking of Seforim
belonging to Tzadikim.
This being the case, when one
hears that there are Chafeitzim,
Seforim and Kisvei Yad from a
nasi b’yisroel that are in Galus
one must do all he can to have
them returned to their rightful
place.
Effort in this project must come
from everyone who hears that
there is such a situation, as the
Baal Shem Tov teaches that when
one sees or hears something
he must take a lesson from it to
apply to his Avodas Hashem.
Yet there are differences as to
the way of going about releasing
the Seforim. Some must have a
direct effect and some must do
their part by saying Tehillim and
giving Tzedaka”.
The Rebbe then went on to praise
the Shluchim being sent to retrieve
the Seforim and how they are given
special kochos to do their Shlichus,
and can make decisions on their
own, being that they have kochos
from the Rebbe also for that. The
Rebbe elaborated this point with a
story told of the Tzemach Tzedek,
who once sent one of his Chassidim
During the weeks leading up to the planned Shlichus, Rabbi Berel
Levin wrote quite a few times to the Rebbe. Here are a few of them:
• Rabbi Levin wrote: There is a certain professor who claims that
there are seforim in Leningrad, should we rely on what he said and
check there.
The Rebbe answered: Just because of that [your uncertainty] you
won’t check there?
• Rabbi Levin wrote: If we can’t locate the Seforim in Leningrad, we
will check in Kiev and Minsk.
The Rebbe wrote: Regardless [you should check in these cities, even
if something is found in Leningrad].
• Rabbi Levin wrote: If we are having difficulties locating the
seforim, we will contact Hendel Deitsh to help us.
The Rebbe wrote: Regardless [you should contact him for his help].
• Rabbi Levin wrote: During our searches we will try to locate the
files detailing the Mitteler Rebbe’s imprisonment.
The Rebbe wrote: Also look for the files on the Alter Rebbe and
Tzemach Tzedek’s imprisonments.
• In response to many other doubts Rabbi Levin had, the Rebbe
wondered: It seems that his (Rabbi Levin's) plan is, when in doubt, to
just leave the seforim there!
Hey Teves 5775 | 39

to Petersburg on a certain mission.
When questioned how he could
trust the Chossid who will be
making his own decisions without
asking the Tzemach Tzedek, the
Tzemach Tzedek replied that the
Chossid can be relied on, being
that he is given all that is needed
to achieve his Shlichus including
the ability to come to the right
conclusions on his own.
Following the Sicha the Rebbe
told the three Shluchim - Reb
Shlomo Cunin, Reb Berel Levin
and Reb Nissan Mindel - to say
L’chaim, and eventually ended the
Farbrengen on a very happy note.
After the chazzan sang ‘Sheyibone’,
everyone joined in the singing led
by the Rebbe clapping his hands.
The Rebbe suddenly stood up and
danced with such joy. This lasted
more than ten minutes, until the
end of this special Farbrengen.
Following the Farbrengen, Rabbi
Berel Levin thought to himself
how he heard the Rebbe mention
that there were also chafeitzim
in Russia. He wrote to the Rebbe
asking if this was a horaah to look
for chafeitzim. The Rebbe’s answer
was an interesting one: If there is
no concern that this will lessen
the strength of their request
regarding the other things then
it's appropriate [to look into].
Bochurim React
As usual, Bochurim were
amongst the first to take the Rebbe’s
words to heart. A few bochurim got
together and formed a committee
to encourage everyone to do as the
Rebbe said in the Sicha, namely that
those who are not directly involved
in the Seforim's release, should
help by saying Tehillim.minyonei
Tehilim were arranged daily after
the Rebbe’s minyan, followed by
everyone giving Tzedaka. Faxes
were sent out to all Yeshivos and
Chabad centers urging
everyone to join this new
project. The Rebbe’s
response to this peulah was one
totally unexpected, in total there
were 6 responses (a very unusual
measure of attention) given
regarding this project.
The First Mission
The trip was scheduled to start
on Chof Teves 5748. On the day of
the planned departure the Rebbe
requested them to come to gan
eden haelyon twice and gave them
a brocho. The first time the Rebbe
emphasized how they must stay
together as a group and therefore
didn’t give each of them money to
give to tzedakah separately but gave
three times chai dollars for all of
them.
The words the Rebbe told
them the second time were very
interesting and actually ended up
helping them in their Shlichus.
The Rebbe told them: today is the
Rambam's histalkus and coming
up is the Alter Rebbe’s histalkus,
they will both work with you.
Rabbi Shlomo Cunin said “and

certainly the Rebbe will also be
with us,” the Rebbe smiled or said
Amen. Once during their Shlichus
they met with a high government
official, trying to get him to write
a letter how the Seforim must be
returned to the Rebbe, at a certain
point they realised they weren't
getting anywhere, so when the
official walked out for a minute
Reb Shlomo Cunin suggested that
they sing the Alter Rebbe’s Niggun,
being that the Rebbe had said that
the alter Rebbe will go with them.
Upon his return to the room he
exclaimed out loud in amazement
how he never heard anything like
this and immediately wrote out the
letter they wanted from him.
After landing in Russia the group
arranged meetings with the heads
ofthelibrary,throughMr.Hammer.
The first meeting was scheduled
for Chof Daled Teves - the Alter
Rebbe's Yahrzeit. Immediately
upon starting the meeting Reb
Shlomo Cunin started to explain
what type of special day the day
is, and therefore it’s a very good
time to return the Seforim etc. The
minister was very emotional after
hearing a speech by Reb Shlomo
Cunin with his firm and genuine
manner. Trying to help them he
told them to look at the catalog and
try to identify as many Seforim as
they can. From there the next steps
would be taken.
Following the minister's advice
they went to the library. After
checking catalogs and identifying
some Seforim which looked like
they were part of the collection,
they requested to look at them.
After an half an hour wait, filled
with much anticipation, they
finally got them. Right away Rabbi
Berel Levin, the expert on these
matters, took one of the Seforim
and found inside the Frierdiker
Rebbe's handwriting. Their joy
knew no bounds. “We are taking
all the Seforim straight to 770 and
Moshiach is here” was their first
exclamation.
Little did they know that it would
be a long way. The Russians weren't
hurrying anywhere, and after about
a month of working on the Seforim,
the government told them it would
take a little while. Meanwhile they
should return to their homes, and
in the near future the Seforim
would be back. This was towards
the end of Shevat 5748.
A short while after their
return home, the Russian
government fired the
minister who was presiding
over the case, automatically
demolishing all of their
efforts.
During the next few
years efforts were made
through Mr. Hammer and
Mr. Weintraub, all ending
futility.
The Second Mission
After a long aggravating
delay, a new light broke
through; at that point
Lubavitch was running
the rescue operation
for the children from
Chernobyl who were badly affected
from the nuclear explosion which
was set off in their city. Rabbi Yosef
Yitzchak Aronov who headed the
operation with Rabbi Yitzchak
Kogen, came with a lawyer named
Devorah Rachel Eric. She proved
extremely valuable in getting the
right papers for the children to
leave Russia.
Rabbi Aronov, knowing of the
great importance the Rebbe gave to
the Seforim, asked her if she would
be willing to get involved. Upon
receiving her positive response he
wrote in to the Rebbe about it, to
which the Rebbe replied that he
should consult Reb Shlomo Cunin.
When Reb Shlomo heard of the
opportunity he grabbed it and
asked Rabbi Berel Levin if he would
join. When he agreed, they wrote to
the Rebbe and they were instructed
to go. When Reb Berel Levin asked
whether to go by himself at a later
date the Rebbe objected explaining
that by going immediately it will
add to the success of the Shlichus.
The first Shabbos that they
were on
Rabbi Shlomo
Cunin said “and
certainly the
Rebbe will also
be with us,” the
Rebbe smiled or
said Amen.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Hey Teves 5775 | 41

97. moshiach weekly Hey Teves

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