Today is Chai Elul, birthday of the Baal Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe.
An auspicious day, no doubt. But what are we supposed to do on this day? Wear a kapote? Not say tachanun? Eat kashe?
On Shabbos Selichos, 5745, the Rebbe answered this question. The Rebbe explained that Chai Elul is not only about printing Chassidus. It’s about spreading it.
The Rebbe noted that in recent years there had been a great increase in publishing Chassidus. Yet he emphasized: Books left on shelves or in warehouses do not fulfill their purpose. The true mission begins when those seforim make their way into Jewish homes, batei midrash, and people’s daily lives.
“Chai Elul,” the Rebbe stressed, “is the time to take those seforim out, to make sure they reach another Yid.”
That message is just as urgent today. If there is a “mitzvah of the day” on Chai Elul, it is this: clear the shelves, and spread the wellsprings outward.
Indeed, as these words are being read, Or Hachassidus is holding sales of Sifrei Chassidus across New York, bringing Tanya, Maamarim, and other works of Chassidus into new homes.
By supporting Or Hachassidus, you ensure that the Rebbe’s call of Chai Elul is fulfilled—not only printing Chassidus, but truly spreading it. And through the 12th Annual Bayis Raffle, you can take part in this revolution while entering to win a life-changing prize: your mortgage or rent covered from Rosh Hashanah through Hey Teves.
This year’s raffle also includes special bonus gifts for every donor adobe $54!
Choose your ticket package and free gifts by clicking here!
Don’t let Chai Elul pass with seforim left on shelves. Partner with Or Hachassidus, spread the wellsprings, and perhaps this Tishrei your home will be blessed with its mortgage worries lifted.
i would like to propose an idea for anyone who is interested: at your wedding, instead of putting flowers (and spending the money on flowers) as the centerpieces, buy Torah books as gifts to the attendees to take home if they want them. If they don’t want them then after the wedding you can donate them to a jew who needs it who wants to read it.
giving Torah books to those who are completely unaffiliated who want to read them and who will take care of them, who can’t afford them. And to those who are affiliated but can’t afford books.
all unaffiliated jews links to free online Torah books, lectures, and the chabad website. including free online book pdfs.