By COLlive reporter
Following the Kislev month filled with Chassidic holidays and Chanukah spanning across 8 days, comes one more special date on the Chabad calendar: the fifth of Teves.
The reason for rejoicing on that day is well known: On this date in 1987, U.S. Federal Court issued a decision in favor of Agudas Chassidei Chabad regarding the ownership of Chabad’s official and priceless library in Brooklyn.
The ruling was based on the idea that a Rebbe is not a private individual but a communal figure synonymous with the body of Chassidim, Chabad.org notes. The Rebbe urged that the occasion be marked with time devoted to study from Torah books as well as the acquisition of new Torah books.
And yet, the details of the case and the events surrounding it remains somewhat of an enigma for many in the Chabad-Lubavitch community – especially the younger generation.
“Few are aware that the Rebbe publicly shared much of the episode with Chassidim as the events leading up to Hey Teves unfolded, comparing it to Yud Tes Kislev, the Alter Rebbe’s imprisonment and release, on many occasions,” say the staff at JEM.
After a year of intense work, JEM completed a video in time for Hey Teves, as the day is called. The video will be shown at the Central Hey Teves Farbrengen in Crown Heights and at hundreds of gatherings around the world.
JEM staff who researched the project discovered that although they considered themselves knowledgeable of the events, there was so much new information hidden in plain sight.
“We’re sure that almost every Chassid who watches this video will learn something new about the trial – and more importantly, the significance of the Rebbe’s victory today,” they say.
I must say this video taught me a lot. Thank you JEM.