Baltimore Cheder Prints Tanya

In honor of Chof Kislev, Cheder Chabad of Baltimore printed edition #5935 of Tanya.

Our printing did not just come as an exciting stand alone activity but as a culmination of a learning philosophy that reflects the nature of our entire school.

As a Lubavitch Cheder, much of our learning is infused with the messages of Chassidus. By its nature, Chassidus was meant to be disseminated to all Yidden. It was never a privilege limited to a select few. The Baal Shem Tov stressed that regardless of experience in learning, financial standing, or age, a Yid could connect to Hashem via the deeper channels that Chassidus unlocks. Among the many who can benefit from learning Chassidus are our young Cheder students.

At Cheder Chabad, we believe that the importance of learning Torah infused with the lessons of Chassidus is a current directive, which can be made relevant to people of all ages. On a daily basis, our learning of Parsha and Yomim Tovim, our classroom structure and staff-student interactions, are carefully woven to include messages that apply to the lives of 3,4 and 5 year old children as well as concepts that are applicable to our lower elementary students. Rather than ideas from an ancient story book, the students of Cheder Chabad are “living with the times,” incorporating chassidishe themes and hanhaga on a daily basis.

In preparation for Yud-Tes Kislev, the students at Cheder learned about the Alter Rebbe and the special secrets of Torah he shared with others. Each class presented their learning via songs, Tanya baal peh and dramatic performances.

Taking our learning a step further, we explored the availability of Chassidus via seforim all over the world. Unlike in days of old when Chassidus was shared via manuscript, we can share Chassidus with the click of a button!

And so we did. With the help of our 59 students ka”h, we loaded up on paper and toner and set to work printing enough tanyas for each child, staff member and for our Shul! As paper after paper came through the machine, the children’s excitement grew. Finally when our first copy was complete, the students in our Kitos Aleph and Beis, learned from our freshly printed, yet to be bound, seforim.

The Rebbe taught that when editions of Tanya are printed in one’s city, the people there will be more enthusiastic about studying Chassidus. We have most definitely seen that phenomenon in action as our children, families and community excitedly took part in our Tanya printing and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of our newly bound seforim.

Let us hope and pray that this limud will bring to maaseh, the deeds of chassidishe hanogos and ultimately, the greatest maasheh of all, the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu speedily in our days!