The Rebbe Speaks

The teachings of the second Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Dov Ber, add unprecedented length, breadth and depth to concepts in Chassidic Philosophy – enabling the human mind to achieve even greater union with the Divine wisdom.

On the 10th of Kislev, the second Rebbe of Chabad, Rabbi DovBer was liberated from prison. He was freed just nine days before Chasidim would celebrate the release of his father, Rabbi Schneur Zalman. Both the Alter Rebbe and the Mitteler Rebbe connected their release from prison to the verse in Psalms, “my soul was redeemed in peace,” a verse that will be fully realized with the ultimate arrival of Moshiach. The lesson for us: A Jew should always be permeated with the idea that every person can bring redemption to the world.

A Jew is instructed to give rebuke, as the verse commands: “You shall surely rebuke your fellow.” Nevertheless, you can deliver the rebuke joyfully, good-naturedly, and gently.

The Alter Rebbe would read the Torah in public. One year, he was away during the Torah reading of Ki Savo, and his young son and future successor, Rabbi Dovber, heard someone else read the portion, which includes G-d’s severe rebuke of the Jewish people. The son became so distressed that he fainted, and weeks later it was still questionable whether he’d be able to fast on Yom Kippur. The chasidim later asked him: “In previous years you didn’t faint; what happened this year?” The boy responded, “When father reads it, I don’t hear curses.”

Chasidim sing during a farbrengen marking 9 Kislev, the birth & passing of Rabbi Dovber of Lubavitch.

This melody is an interesting musical composition, divided into four sections