“All the Chassidim are our children!” With these famous words, the Rebbetzin characterized her relationship with all Chassidim.
The Rebbetzin saw us all as her children. On her thirtieth yahrtzeit, here are some reflections on the significance of the day and how it pertains to us, drawing on the Rebbe’s words throughout the years.
This article is the fourth of a four-part series about the life and times of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson נ”ע זי”ע, her passing, and the Rebbe’s call of “והחי יתן אל לבו” – to learn from her life, and organize activities in her memory.
Presented by A Chassidisher Derher and JEM, marking the special milestone of 30 years since her histalkus. The photos and videos in these articles are courtesy of Jewish Educational Media. Generously dedicated by Dovid and Chanie Junik and family, and COLlive.com.
The Active Role of our Rebbetzins
In a fascinating sicha said by the Rebbe in Kislev 5749, the Rebbe explains that throughout the work of our Rabbeim through the generations was partnered with the work of their Rebbetzins. In order to reach the furthest realms of the universe and affect them as well, the Rebbetzins in each generation played an active role. (Sefer Hasichos 5749 vol. 1, p. 84 ff.)
Clearly then, in addition to all she sacrificed for Chassidim by giving the Rebbe over to the general public throughout all the years of his nesius, the Rebbetzin also takes part in the Rebbe’s nesius on a spiritual level, and in his connection to us as Chassidim.
It is thus no wonder that the histalkus of the Rebbetzin has such profound meaning.
With the Rebbe
Throughout the entire year following the histalkus, the Rebbe spoke non-stop about the Rebbetzin and the lessons everyone should learn from her, highlighting the pasuk “V’hachai yiten el libo,” as well as each year on the yahrtzeit.
In 5752, the Rebbe stood for hours and personally handed out a unique kuntres, Kovetz Chof-Beis Shevat, to all—men, women, and children. Everyone received a kuntres, a five-dollar bill, and a piece of lekach. The Rebbe clearly invited all of the Chassidim to join in marking the day of Chof-Beis Shevat.
Perusing these sichos and examining the Rebbe’s words, one is fascinated by the expressions the Rebbe used to describe this day; words not found even regarding the hilulos of the Rebbeim!
As one example: In the kuntres B’cha Yevarech Yisroel—comprised of several sichos the Rebbe dedicated to Chof-Beis Shevat 5752 (Sefer Hasichos 5752 vol. 2, p. 344)—the Rebbe notes that being that the Rebbetzin was the daughter of a Rebbe, her histalkus accomplishes an elevation for all Yidden!
In the sicha the Rebbe said at the conclusion of the shiva, there were unbelievable expressions about the Rebbetzin—the special connection she has with her father, the Frierdiker Rebbe, and the qualities (zechuyos) she obtained in her own right, which serve as a source of blessing to all who offered comfort after her passing. And more so: as a daughter of a Rebbe, she shared a connection with her father even more than a son would have. As Chazal say, “איש מזריע תחילה יולדת נקבה” (when the man seeds first, the child is born female). The Rebbe also added that being that about tzaddikim it is said, “גופא דילהון קדישא” (their very body is holy), we can be certain that the brachos we receive in the merit of the Rebbetzin pertain not only to spiritual matters, but to material matters as well. (See full transcript – Sefer Hasichos 5748 vol. 1, p. 271 ff.)
The Rebbe’s Children
As noted, we as Chassidim, are the Rebbe’s children, and therefore it is only befitting that we should act on the yahrtzeit of the Rebbetzin as we would for our own mother.
The day should be utilized with the appropriate conduct of a yahrtzeit, studying Mishnayos, learning extra Torah from the sichos and maamarim said and prepared by the Rebbe in connection with this day, increasing in tzedaka,9 and farbrenging with the goal of strengthening our hiskashrus to the Rebbe.
And as the Rebbe said on the Rebbetzin’s first yahrtzeit, Chof-Beis Shevat 5749:
“Being that the activities that we do in her memory are done with the intention of having an effect down here in this physical world, they are obviously of doubled benefit:
“Not only for her neshama, making her more alive because her children are alive – מה זרעה בחיים אף היא בחיים.
“But the benefit is also for for us Yidden down here on earth. For when we do our part in היא בחיים, she in turn will daven and make requests for us on high, blessing us b’gashmiyus and b’ruchniyus, with long life, good health, בבני חיי ומזוני רויחי.”
As chasidim around the world observe the Rebbetzin’s yartzeit today, here are a few practical suggestions:
Mishnayos
Chapters of Mishnayos for the Rebbetzin’s name
For Mishnayos in English, go to bit.do/22ShevatResources
Keren HaChomesh
Immediately after her Histalkus, the Rebbe established Keren HaChomesh. To donate, go to: http://www.kerenhachomesh.com
Online Resource Center
An Online Resource Center has been set up, with videos of the Rebbe, sichos, Ma’amorim, and articles in both English and Hebrew, go to: bit.do/22ShevatResource
Write to the Rebbe
The fax number to send a Pan to the Rebbe’s Ohel is 718-723-4444. Letters can also be sent via email: [email protected], or submitted online.
Kol Koreh
A Kol Koreh, communal letter, has been issued by leading Rabbonim and Mashpi’im turning to all Lubavitchers regarding the observance of the Rebbetzin’s yartzeit. To view the Kol Koreh, click here.
For a full overview of what the Rebbe suggested can be done in honor of the Rebbetzin, see part 3 of this series on COLlive.com.
Video: The Rebbe distributes “Kuntres Chof Beis Shevat”
Chof Beis Shevat COLlive Series, presented by A Chassidisher Derher and JEM:
Part One: A Biographical Sketch
Part Two: A Diary of 22 Shevat 5748
Part Three: The Rebbe’s Initiatives
Part Four: “All Chassidim are our Children”
