Rabbis Call to Mark 30th Yartzeit

Leading Chabad Rabbonim and Mashpi’im have issued a Kol Koreh asking for Lubavitch communities works wide to mark Chof-Beis Shevat, the Yartzeit- Hillulah of the Rebbetzin, which will begin tonight and tomorrow.

Observances include participating in a Farbrengen marking the day, to reflect on lessons that be learned from the Rebbetzin’s life and learn Mishnayos according to the letters of the Rebbetzin’s name.

The Kol Koreh reads:

Dear Friends, Anash, Shluchim, Temimim and Neshei U’bnos Chabad,

As we prepare to mark the thirtieth anniversary of the Histalkus of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka נ’’ע it is appropriate to reflect on the importance of this day and on its relevance to each and every one of us.

On Chof Beis Shevat 5752 the Rebbe stated that the Yartzeit-Hilulo of the Rebbetzin is “a source of infinite blessings for all of Klal Yisrael and especially for those who are connected with her Neshama and emulate her ways.”

This year – the 30th anniversary – carries an added significance in light of the Rebbe’s words on the occasion of the thirtieth Hilulah of the Previous Rebbe in 5740, that this stage marks the beginning of a special, new era.

We should also consider yet another fact which the Rebbe often pointed to as noteworthy – the calendar date of the Yahrtzeit (22 Shevat) coinciding with the day of the week (Wednesday) as the original occurrence of the Histalkus in 5748.

In the years following the Histalkus of the Rebbetzin, the Rebbe strongly and regularly encouraged that the Yartzeit be observed by increasing in Torah study, strengthening public shiurim, starting new shiurim, establishing and building new institutions connected to the three Mitzvos uniquely related to women (Shabbos Candles, Kashrus and Taharas Hamishpacha), naming children in the Rebbetzin’s memory and giving Tzedaka in the amount of 470 (the Gimatria of the Rebbetzin’s name).

The Rebbe said that “being that these initiatives are undertaken in order to create a tangible expression of her inspiration within our material world, they benefit not only her Neshomah in Heaven (in the sense of ‘Just as her children are alive, so too she is alive’), but also all the Jews who are alive in the physical world. For through their initiatives which give her life – ‘she is alive’ – she subsequently entreats and prays to Hashem from her place in the World of Truth, to provide those of us in this world with all our material and spiritual necessities, long life, proper health, and good sustenance – in abundance, for ourselves and our children”. (Chof Beis Shevat 5749)

At the conclusion of the Shiva in 5748, the Rebbe requested the Chassidim hold a public farbrengen in connection with the Aliyas Haneshama, as is customary among Yidden.

In light of this, we encourage all Chassidim – men, women and children to participate in public Chassidishe Farbrengens in connection with the Yartzeit-Hilulo of Chof Beis Shvat as a community, as well as having private Farbrengens with your families. These gatherings should be utilized to reflect on the Rebbetzin’s life of Mesirus Nefesh for Yiddishkeit and Chassidus, to encourage the observance of the day in the above mentioned manners, to learn Mishnayos according to the letters of the Rebbetzin’s name, to learn the Sichos and Maamorim of the Rebbe which are connected to the day and to inspire each other to strengthen our Hiskashrus to the Rebbe in all relevant areas.

May we immediately merit the fulfillment of the purpose of our generation, the revelation of Moshiach Tzidkeinu with the ultimate Geulah when we will reunited with the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin in the physical sense.