Minhagim for Yud Alef Nissan:
*After Davening we begin to say the Rebbe’s new Kapittel, 121, in Tehillim.
Tehillim for the Rebbe’s new Kapitel 121:
* We meditate on the “Hayom Yom” of today. This is a day for reflection and taking on Hachlotos Toivos, and it is appropriate to read additional details in Sefer Haminhogim p. 85.
On his birthday, one should spend time in seclusion. He should recall his experiences and think deeply into them. He should then repent and correct those (of his past deeds) that need correction and repentance. ~ Hayom Yom, 11 Nissan
One’s birthday is a time to reflect. As Chassidim, the Rebbe’s birthday is a time for us to reflect on our connection to him.
Throughout the years, the Rebbe would mark his own birthday by requesting from his followers to make new commitments in his merit. Whether it was opening a new Chabad House or resolving to lay Tefillin every day, the Rebbe’s birthday was always an opportunity for all of us to grow.
As we pray to be reunited with the Rebbe to yet celebrate 120 years since his birth, we look towards the Rebbe’s own words for guidance and inspiration as we mark this day.
Presented here is a beautiful collection of clips from 11 Nissan throughout the years.
Listen to the new Niggun for the Rebbe’s new Kapitel, composed and sung by Avraham Fried.
Niggun By Reb Sholom Bruchstat
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Food for thought on the Rebbe’s 120th birthday
Chassidim around the world are preparing themselves for the Rebbe’s 120th birthday. How can I get excited about the Rebbe’s birthday? How can I connect myself to something that happened so many years ago, and so far away?
The following is an essay based on a Sicha the Rebbe spoke on the 120th birthday of the Rebbe Rashab.
Transcending Reality
How many of us ask ourselves the question: I’m a regular Chossid living in Brooklyn, New York. I have a business, a busy schedule and a lot going on at home every day. Is it demanded from me to be totally involved in Torah and Mitzvos, and devote myself entirely to fulfill the Rebbe’s will? If so, how practically can I transcend my reality and invest myself totally into a place so much higher than the world I see, the “real world” where business comes first?
In Yud-Aleph Nissan language: This year Yud-Aleph Nissan Chassidim are celebrating the day the Rebbe was born 120 years ago. How can I get excited over and relate to something that happened so long ago and so many miles away?
In essence, the question is a lot more general: Torah demands that I be happy in the place where I am notwithstanding any hardships that may befall me. How is that possible? How can I juggle reality and happiness simultaneously? Does Torah demand that I should live in denial, ignoring my hardships and current state?
The short answer is: Yes, we live in the physical world. Yes, we are bound by limitations. But in our physical and limited reality we can live a higher life. A life of connection and transcendence.
Torah does not demand that we deny reality, rather it demands of us to live a higher life while in this physical world, to be in touch with our true reality. internalizing that we aren’t merely bodies that contain souls, rather we are souls within bodies.
In regards to the Rebbe’s birthday: Although the Rebbe’s birthday may have been an event from the distant past, 120 years ago, and although many of us have never seen the Rebbe physically, it remains relevant. We can still celebrate Yud-Aleph Nissan with full energy and passion.
In the Rebbe’s words, said as his voice choked with emotion (free translation):
There is no greater test than the one which challenges us today in regards of how to influence another Jew to extricate himself from his own personal exile.
As we see in reality the hardship of influencing a person – that while he stands here on a seemingly regular Thursday night, living in New York among nine million other people, and he has all of his businesses from which he just arrived, and while he is preparing (willingly or not) to think about how to run his business tomorrow morning – that he should know that [today] is the birthday of a great personality who was born 120 years ago in a small town across the ocean, and that this fact should have an effect on him as he sits here in Brooklyn and goes about his business…
He knows that he whose birthday is today was a great personality, a Nossi, neshama klolis and more; however, he does not see how this connects to his day-to-day life on Thursday of Parshas Chayei Sarah 5741 in Brooklyn!
Although it is true that because he is polite and respectful (among other reasons) he came to sit by this farbrengen; he is only here in body. Where his head is we cannot know! Now he is thinking about his business dealings of yesterday, and then he will think about the dealings he hopes to make tomorrow (and may Hashem grant him much success in his business ventures).
We are demanding from him what seems to be two polar opposite ideas – that together with the knowledge that it is Thursday to Parshas Chayei Sarah 5741 in Brooklyn, and along with all of his activities – in those minutes (or hours) that he is in a holy place, where the leader of the generation my father in law the Rebbe learned and davened, blessed Yidden, accepted requests, as well as participated in the joys and tragedies of Jews worldwide – one should influence himself that in these moments, Torah [as opposed to business] should be his occupation. Now [in these minutes] you are a Chossid of the Rebbe nessi doreinu, the successor [of the Rebbe Rashab] whose birthday is today, and as a Chossid you have to impact yourself to go out of yourself!
You know that you are in Brooklyn and must act as one must behave in exile, however that is not relevant to your experiences, to your inner being and excitement.
And therefore we demand of you, that during the time of this farbrengen you should influence yourself, that during these moments and hours you are no longer so and so who lives in Brooklyn, on 20th day of the month of Cheshvan in 5741 […] rather you are a Chossid of the Rebbe!
So How Can I Get A Feel For This?
This question – and seeming contradiction – is assumingly a most relatable feeling. Yes, I am a Chossid, yes, I understand that the Rebbe is a Nossi, leader of the Jewish people today more than ever, but on the other hand, practically, how can I allow this understanding to actually shift my life as a chosid from a role to my foremost identity, changing the way I feel and impact me practically as we prepare for the Rebbe’s 120th birthday?
The Torah does not deny this inner conflict, on the contrary, Torah acknowledges it. Hashem created a limited world bound by time and space and wants a Yid to live and thrive in these limitations – study the weekly Chumash, daily Rambam and more.
But notwithstanding these limitations, there are still ways to connect:
1) Focus. Pull yourself out of your day-to-day schedule and take a moment, once a day, twice a day, or at least once a week – it doesn’t only have to be in the days before Yud-Aleph Nissan – and focus on the Rebbe. Forget about everything around you, the recent uptake in your business (hopefully) and the hustle-bustle of city life, realize that you are a Chossid, contemplate on the relevance of Torah to your daily business dealings. You even can lock yourself in a room for some peace and quiet.
2) Study. The Rebbe invested his very essence into his Torah, as it is said regarding Torah in general: “I inscribed and brought my very essence [into the Torah].” Before the Rebbe Rashab was nistalek he said (free translation): “I am ascending to heaven, but the kesovim I leave with you.”
Take a Maamar or a Sicha, and lose yourself in the holy words, ever relevant, inspiring, and practical. Ignore the clock for those precious moments, forget about everything around you. At the moment I am a Chossid of the Rebbe.
It is in these moments – when you apply these two methods – when it will finally hit you: My Rebbe, born 120 years ago in a small city across the ocean, is ever relevant. I may be involved and busy making a living in New York City, but I can plug in, I can attach myself to something higher, something much deeper than the here and now; not something removed, but a Rebbe that speaks to me, in my situation and has an affect in my day-to-day life full of challenges and normal preoccupations.
The Rebbe’s new Kapitel
Chassidim have the custom of saying the Rebbe’s Kapitel after davening daily. The words of the Kapitel we will begin saying on the upcoming Yud-Aleph Nissan share an identical meaning to the topic we are addressing now:
Kapitel 121 begins with the words: “hrzg tuch ihtn ohrvv kt hbhg tat ,ukgnk rhaי – A song of ascents. I lift my eyes to the mountains; from where will my help come?”
Aside from the basic meaning of the pasuk, that the words “hrzg tuch ihtn” are a question, these words can also be read as a statement: “my help comes from the level of “Ayin.”
Indeed, a Yid is “helped” from the highest levels, but notwithstanding the high levels from which help does come, this special heavenly help extends all the way down to the physical world, to help a Yid in a practical sense. As the pasuk continues: “my help is from Hashem, creator of heaven and earth”: the “help” that comes from the level of “Ayin” comes from Hashem, the creator of heaven and earth, even the lowest parts of our physical world.
Practical ways to celebrate Yud-Aleph Nissan
Prepare: Log onto 11Nissan.com for a plethora of Yud-Aleph Nissan resources from Vaad Or Vechom Hahiskashrus.
Gift: In accordance with the Rebbe’s request that gifts presented for his birthday include Torah, the Tzach offices are arranging an international chaluka of the Rebbe’s Torah. Log onto: YudAlefNissan120.com to participate.
Share: The Rebbe expressed that his birthday be used out to help any Yid who may be lacking his Pesach needs. Order Matzos to distribute to your acquaintances from Lubavitch Youth
organization: (718) 953-1000
Celebrate: Those who can should visit the Rebbe’s Ohel – men, women and children.
Hold a Yud-Aleph Nissan celebration with your family! Head out to your local grocery store for some farbeisin, and inspire your children with a warm and special message for the Rebbe’s 120th birthday.
Hachlata Campaign: Join the global hachlata campaign for the Rebbe’s 120 years. The Matana120 project is a way to unite Lubavitcher communities all over the world by taking on hachlatos for the Rebbe’s birthday. Pledge your mitzvah now in honor of the Rebbe’s Birthday at Matana120.com
We miss u so much!!!
Were sick of Golus!!!
We wanto see u NOW!!!
For posting this.
Read it thru and felt inspired and connected.
Thanks from a busy mom