Farbrengen 19 Kisleiv 5742: The Lubavitcher Rebbe Farbrengens on The "New Year" of Chassidism

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18 Kisleiv - Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Baruch of Mezhibuz

Chai Kisleiv marks (today the 200th) Yahrzteit of the Tzaddik Rabbi Baruch (ben Yechiel Michel) of Mezhibuz (1753-1811) - the grandson of the Baal Shem Tov. He is the son of the Baal Shem Tov's daughter Aidel. Rabbi Baruch's sister is also well known as being the mother of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. He also had a brother who was also a Tzaddik, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Ephraim (author of the Degel Machane Ephraim.) Many go to pray at the gravesite of Rabbi Baruch today.

In his youth, when his parents asked the Baal Shem Tov which tractate of Gemara would be best to begin teaching him, he answered, "Baba Kama," - בבא קמא - because these words contains the first letters of, "Baruch ben Aidel is holy from the womb of his mother" - "ברוך בן אדל קדוש מבטן אמו". His grandfather, the Baal Shem Tov, died when he was still a young child of just 7 years. He spent much time around the Maggid of Mezritch (whose Yarhtzeit falls on the 19 Kisleiv - tomorrow!), until many years later at the bequest of the Chassidim, he himself became an Admor (Rebbe.) In no time at all, thousands were knocking upon his door for blessings and advice. He had a fiery temper and temperament - though his brother R' Moshe Chaim Ephraim was quite the opposite! 

When he became ill, he refused to ask the advice of doctors and to make use of medications.

Though he was a Rebbe in his own right, the main flow of leadership in Chassidism went from the Baal Shem Tov to the Maggid of Mezritch and then to Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liady (1745-1812) whose release from prison is celebrated tomorrow - the 19th Kisleiv. The Alter Rebbe (as he was known) was both an authority in the revealed Torah, having written the Shulchan Aruch HaRav as well as an authority on the hidden Torah, having written the Tanya (and Torah Ohr and Likutei Torah.).

For more on the stories of the start of the Chassidic movement and the leaders including wonderful stories about the Tzaddikim Nistarim - the hidden Tzaddikim of that time - make sure to read "Lubavitcher Rabbi's Memoirs" written by the previous Chabad Rebbe - Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson.

Chassidus and Kabbalah - which to learn and why?

It is the natural desire of the soul to learn the secrets of Torah. We are taught that this is the area of Torah known as Kabbalah - stemming from the word and root letters "KBL" meaning "To receive". "Moses received the Torah from Sinai" (Ethics of the Fathers 1:1). Here the word used is "Kibel". Kabbalah is about reception - not about domination and importance. On the contrary, it is to the one who wishes to receives in a humble fashion, who will receive - far more than the one who simple wants for his own person ego.

We sometimes get caught up in not knowing what we need to focus on and what true "mysticism" really is. In the video below, the Lubavitcher Rebbe is talking to Rabbi Simcha Ashlag - the grandson of the Rabbi who wrote the commentary on the Zohar - HaSulam. In it, Rabbi Ashlag asks the Rebbe to give his approbation to the importance of learning Zohar. The Rebbe explains that while there is no problem with learning this way, it is in fact through the teachings of Chassidus Chabad - the Tanya and the various discourses by the Rebbes, that the true teachings of the mystical paths of Torah come through.

Rebbi Shimon bar Yochai (in approximately 100-150 C.E.) revealed the Zohar - the most basic text of Kabbalah. Rabbi Yitzchak Luria - the Arizal (1534-1572) revealed the most important teachings in understanding the necessary things in order to really understand the Zohar properly. The Baal Shem Tov (1698-1760) having been taught by Achiyah HaShiloni - a great Tzaddik who came out of Egypt with the Children of Israel, and who also received the full tradition of Torah from King David (*many* years later) and also the teacher of Elijah the Prophet - revealed how to properly understand the teachings of the Arizal in ways that could be grapsed even by the simple person.

The Maggid of Mezritch (Rabbi Dov Ber - d. 1772) continued to teach the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov.The Lubavitcher Rebbes, starting from the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812), continued these teachings, right up until the 7th Lubavitcher Rebbe in the video below. The teachings thereby given here are most relevant to all of us - especially if, as in this case - we wish to pursue an accurate and true curriculum of learning the inner most depths of Torah wisdom.