Chof Daled Teves: Customs, Learning

The founder of Chabad Chassidism, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812), passed away on the eve of the 24th of Tevet, at approximately 10:30 pm, shortly after reciting the Havdalah prayer marking the end of the Shabbat.

The Rebbe, author of the Shulchan Aruch and Tanya, was in the village of Peyena, fleeing Napoleon’s armies, which had swept through the Rebbe’s hometown of Liadi three months earlier in their advance towards Moscow.

He was in his 68th year at the time of his passing, and was succeeded by his son, Rabbi DovBer of Lubavitch.

The following are Chabad traditions for the day, based on the Rebbe’s teachings, and edited by Rabbi Yosef Simcha Ginsburg:

Men, women and children should use this hour of divine mercy to add:

1. In Torah – to add in learning nigleh and chassidus.

To learn at least a chapter of Mishnayos that begins with the name Schneur Zalman.

Learn from the Alter Rebbe’s Torah: Shulchan Aruch, a chapter Tanya and from his Chassidus teachings (best would be from Torah Ohr on the weekly Parsha).

2. In Prayer – davening from his siddur (and learning his maamarim on davening, beginning from the maamar Hakol Kol Yaakov).

3. In Charity – best for causes the are connected to his holy work or instititions that do his work and the work of the Rebbes who followed him. (The Colel Chabad charity was founded by the Alter Rebbe – click to donate)

4. Farbrengen – to hold a chassidic gathering of joy, where the participants will take upon themselves good resolutions in Torah and Mitzvos.

If, for some reason, the above mentioned was not done, it should be completed in the coming days.

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Commit to Shulchan Aruch

The entire Shulchan Aruch Harav, Code of Jewish Law authored by the Alter Rebbe, is once again being divided to be studied.

Organized by the Lubavitch Youth Organization (“Tzach”). Once committing to a siman, a link to a PDF is available for online study.

Join today at alterrebbe.org

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In light of the Rebbe’s suggestion ‘as a way to draw down zechusim and brochos’, to learn the Mishnayos with the Baal Hahilula’s name and in honor of this auspicious day, Yagdil Torah produces a special Kovetz Limud with Mishnayos, selected stories, Horaos from the Rebbe in connection with the Yom Hahilula of the Alter Rebbe.

The Yagdil Torah organization has always been occupied and continuously develops Limud Hatorah in the Shchuna and beyond, in this area as well!

This year Rabbi Levi Browd coordinated a unique podcast option to listen along and swiftly learn the mishnayos along with a clear, swift and concise shiur given by Rabbi Mendel Yusewitz (renowned for his daily Rambam, Gemora Sota and daily Chumash shiurim) “We are certain, this addition will make the learning of the Mishnayos [corresponding to the name of the Baal Hahilula] far more enjoyable,” he said.

To Listen To the Audio: Click Here

To Download The Kovetz Limud: Click Here

Join a Farbrengen:

Live at 8:00 PM ET:
Military strategy, European history, psychology, and kabbalah will come together in this unique presentation in honor of the Alter Rebbe’s yahrzeit on 24 Teves, brought to you by Bais Shmuel and acclaimed speaker Rabbi Shais Taub.