Moshiach Weekly - Hey Teves

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Index////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
28
12
44
34
22
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Publicize Miracles!
Dvar Malchus
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Hey Teves, Not Just a Day

Editorial
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Hey Teves
A Step Towards Geulah
12
34
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The French Revolution
A Treasure To Be Recoverd
Feature
The Rebbe's Library
22
44
Chanukah 5747
Sichos In English
28
49
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A Child's Yearn for the Geulah
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The Small Sefer That Is So

Influential In Our Lives
Besuras Hageulah
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Behind the Publishing House
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Ma'aloson Shel Yisroel
Shabbos Parshas Vayechi - 5751
Dvar
Malchus
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Publicize
Miracles!
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Throughout the generations, Chassidim in

general never put an emphasis on miracles. in a
letter, written by the Frierdiker Rebbe to the Rebbe
on Chof Daled Teves 5692, where he explains in
length the reason for this, being that in Chassidus
Chabad (as opposed to other Chassidic sects) the
main occupation is on understanding Chassidus
and bringing it down in abodah shebilev and not
focusing on something secondary, as miracles.
As the known saying of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka
(wife of the Tzemach Tzedek): by my father and
grandfather there would be miracles wandering
around, just no one would bother picking them up!
vhoemuna. The Rebbe then asked: why are we

mentioning this?
In the letter which the Rebbe wrote back, the

Rebbe says that the above is understood concerning
the earlier generations of Chassidim. However, in
our generation, when people are far from aidelkeit
and ruchnius and are not always capable of being
aroused by haskalah of Chassidus, it is seemingly
necessary to speak about miracles of Tzaddikim.
More importantly: the importance of publicizing

miracles will be understood from the following story
which the Gemara relates (Sanhedrin): Hashem
intended to make Chizkiyahu Moshiach.
We see that already before the nesius, the Rebbes

opinion was that it is necessary to make a bigger
deal about miracles. Indeed, we find that the Rebbe
would make mention of miracles upon more than
a few occasions throughout the years. However we
dont seem to find any expression about making the
pirsum of miracles an essential detail in the avodah
of our tekufah.
This all changed in the Sicha of Shabbos Parshas
Vayeshev. The Rebbe speaks about the miraculous
turn of events surrounding the Niggun hoaderes
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.
Seemingly a Chossid can claim that he was taught

to Koch in other thing, such as limud hatorah, while
miracles were never that important at all.
The Rebbe answered this saying: firstly, there
must be a thanksgiving to Hashem for the miracles
that He does, Especially as were standing close to
the days of Chanukah, in which there is the mitzvah
of pirsumei nisa (which besides for pirsum of the
miracles of Chanukah, also includes pirsum of all
miracles that happen to us.)
The Midas Hachesed had then complained to

Hashem: Chizkiyahu, who for him was performed
all these miracles (in the war of Sancheiriv) and
never the less he didnt sing thanks before you,
you shall make Moshiach?! - From this we see that
publicizing miracles is essential in bringing the
Geulah!
Therefore we have a horoah Ikaris: being that we
have already finished all the inyonim of our avodah,
and the Geulah still isnt here - now its time to carry
out the inyan of pirsumei nissa, by publicizing to
ourselves and to others, and in every single place the miracles that Hashem does for us, knowing that
it is connected with the Geulah!
Being that
we already
finished our
Avodah, and
the Geulah
still isnt
here - now
its time to
carry out
the Inyan of
Pirsumei
Nissa.
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Rebbe Photos:
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Editorial
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Hey Teves,
Not Just a Day
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Hey Teves is
a day which
although
seemingly
took place
28 years
ago, still
has a major
impact on
this very
day.
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4 | Moshiach Weekly
Aha! That hints to the time of Moshiach!

In the famous Sicha of Mikeitz 5751,
the Rebbe explains that being as human
nature causes a person when he kochs in
a certain inyan, to search for the common
denominator between each thing and the
inyan which he is occupied with. So too by
Yidden who koch in the coming of Moshiach
(as the era demands), must connect each
thing with his coming.
Therefore from the Mishkan of which we

read about each day of Chanukah, we must
advance to the Beis Hamikdash. The concept
of the Beis Hamikdash is also hinted in our
parsha as the maamorim in Torah Or the
Chassidishe Parsha begin with a possuk
which speaks of the Beis Hamikdash. It is
also connected to the haftorah where we
have the possuk 'vdovid avdi nosi lohem
lolam'.
If this is so by each encounter of ones life,

it must be much more apparent by general
events that occur. It is therefore obvious that
the upcoming day of Hey Teves, a landmark
on the Chassidishe calendar, surely has its
significance to the Geulah.
The Rebbe elaborated on this that in earlier

generations; the learning of pnimius hatorah
was hidden from even Talmidei Chachomim,
limited to only yechidei segulah. Later in the
time of the Arizal, it became permissible
to reveal pnimius hatorah; however it did
not become widespread. Only through
raboseinu nisieinu did this drastically
change with the spreading of Chassidus in
a way of havanah vhasagah, especially by
way of the Frierdiker Rebbe who spread it
over the entire world by way of his Shluchim
chayolei beis dovid.
At first glance however, when looking at

this Yom Tov one could wonder. True, this
is a cause of great joy being that the Seforim
were finally returned to our Rebbe, but what
could be its connection to the Geulah.
Once looking into the words of the Rebbe
after Didan Notzach, ones doubt can surely
no longer remain. By the Farbrengen of
Shabbos Parshas Vayigash 5747 - just a few
days after the victory of Hey Teves - the
Rebbe explains that the theme of Chanukah
maalin bakodesh must continue even after
Chanukahs end.
Therefore now, in dor hashvii standing on

the shoulders of a giant amount of avodah
that has been accomplished we have entered
a new era, a period which belongs to the
future Beis Hamikdash and the Geulah,
through dovid malka meshicha!
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We are holding at the stage in Avodah where all we have

to do is actually bring down the Beis Hamikdash which
is already built and waiting lmaaloh; this comes about
through hafotzas hamoyonos as Melech Hamoshiach told
the Baal Shem Tov lchsheyofutzu mainoseicho chutzoh.
The Rebbe stressed how this comes specifically following
the days of Chanukah, and the beginning of Parshas
Vayigash, especially following Tuesday shehuchpol boi
ki tov the victorious day of Hay Teves!
Chassidim which learn the Rebbes Sichos of 57515752, might not find such expressions anything out of
the ordinary. However for its time 5747, this was quite an
unforeseen revelation, one that the Rebbe repeated over
the following days and Shabbosim.
The message is clear; Hey Teves is not merely another
step in hafotzas hamaayonos, rather on this day we
actually entered into an entirely new tekufah. It is a day
which although seemingly took place 28 years ago still has
a major impact on this very day; from then onward we
have been in this special new era.
Today however we stand at a more advanced stage; as
the Rebbe informed us that we are even holding by Imdu
hochein kulchem - standing ready for the Geulah. We are
already sitting at the set table with Moshiach Tzidkainu,
we find ourselves in yemos haMoshiach bepashtus - all
we have to do is to open up our eyes!
Later in the sicha the Rebbe placed the responsibility
upon us, to publicize the special era in which we find
ourselves. Stressing that this is relevant to each and every
Jew regardless of age or importance, and most definitely
not a message directed at a specific sector or nussach.
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doubts can arise in his mind if he is really capable of

relaying such a message, or perhaps the message is not
fitting for this particular individual.
As always, " " in this very same
Sicha, the Rebbe preempted this issue:
One can come and complain: such speech is vilde reid
(wild speech) which has never been heard in previous
generations! Why now the change? How will the world
react upon hearing such things?
It is therefore necessary to know, that there is no need
to be nispoel from the world being as this is the truth
according to Torah. Furthermore in todays world people
are ready to hear such messages; the only thing required
is a person to give over the message in a way of dvorim
hayotzim mhalev which is then readily accepted as
evident by those who act in such a way.
We stand right before the hisgalus; as the Rebbe assures
us, even the world is ready. If one will pay attention to world
events around us, as the extreme advance of technology
and the wars taking place in the Arab countries, he will see
it clearly; all we need to do is to open up our eyes. Certainly
by making the Geulah a priority in our lives, we will truly
live Moshiachdike leben ourselves - which will also make
it easier for us to publicize the Rebbes message to others.
It is on this note that we present the Teves issue of the
Moshiach Weekly Expanded Edition including many
articles and essays further portraying the connection
of Hey Teves as well as Sifrei Kodesh in general with
Moshiach - along with many other Moshiach related
articles.
May it be through this koch in inyonei Geulah
U'Moshiach that we will finally merit to the coming of
Moshiach, with the descent of the built and waiting Beis
Hamikdash revealing to all the true purpose of our
creation now!
Each Chossid is eager and willing to fulfill his Shlichus.

Occasionally however, when it comes time for action,
Hey Teves 5775 | 5
s all Yemei Hageulah, the

celebration and Simcha
of Hey Teves is measured
based on the hardships preceding
it. From when the Rebbe first spoke
about the robberies in public, on Yud
Beis Tammuz 5745, the Chassidim
realized and felt that the Rebbe takes
it in utmost seriousness.
During one of the Farbrengens
6 | Moshiach Weekly
in that period, the Rebbe got very

overwhelmed so to speak, and
expressed that the dispute is not over
the Seforim but rather der beinkel the chair, the very nesius of the Rebbe
himself. Chassidim explained this
saying that B. G. the one who took the
Seforim, claimed them his because he
is the rightful heir of the Frierdiker
Rebbe. Seemingly the dispute was non
other than a heavenly decree against
the Rebbes leadership.

The Rebbe addressed this by saying
Just like it says that Yaakov avinu
did not die, so too the Rebbe, myfather-in-law, did not die. He is alive!
And furthermore, the Rebbe becomes
more alive, more powerful and more
active constantly and a live man does
not pass on inheritance.
At first glance, when

looking at Hey Teves
one could wonder.
True, this is a cause
of great joy being
that the Seforim
were finally returned
to our Rebbe, but
what could be its
connection to the
Geulah?
In this article, we
will look into the
Rebbe's words which
followed Hey Teves,
thereafter ones
doubt can surely no
longer remain.
The discernable pain that was felt

by the Rebbe by this story shook
Chassidim to the core. This issue was
one which concerned the Rebbe and
beis harav personally. Tehillim was
said copiously and many Hachlotos
Tovos were taken to hurry the Pidyon.
Bochurim made 24 hour shifts to
guard all the entrances of 770 to make
sure that nothing of the like should be
repeated.
On Chanuka 5746, the Rebbe spoke
about what the other side had claimed
that Lubavitch is not active.
The Rebbe said that though it this is
obviously something which is totally
not true, Lubavitch must now prove
that we are so active that what was in
the past will be considered as being
inactive. The Rebbe then instructed

that a special book should be printed
with pictures of Chanukah lightings
all over the world.
Throughout 5746, starting already in
Tishrei, the Rebbe shturemed about
the importance of adding in Simcha.
On Shabbos Parshas VaYishlach the
Rebbe said the famous Maamer of
margeloh bpumei drovoh. In this
Hey Teves 5775 | 7
requests to be fulfilled, and said

to send in panim to be read at the
Ohel.
A week of celebration followed,
from Hey Teves through Yud Beis
Teves. Nights turned to days and
mashke flowed like water.
Maamer the Rebbe explains that

the derech of avodah is no longer
through merirus rather solely
through Simcha.
Simcha is tied into what Chazal say

that Simcha has the special power
to break through and nullify all
negative things.
Many felt that the Rebbes

constant encouragement to add in
Bochurim were so sure that

eventually there would be a victory,
that many stocked up on mashke
and had the bottles ready in their
lockers for the moment the good
news would come.
The Psak Din which was

presented to the Rebbe
And indeed it came! Hey Teves in

the morning, as the first Bochurim
heard of the ruling, yisron haor
min hachoshech - the light and joy
from such pain was unleashed.
The feeling in the air was that in
the midst of this great victory
the Rebbe was finally going to be
nisgaleh as Melech HaMoshiach.
One of the highlights of this story
is how the Rebbe consented to
Chassidim making it into a Yom
Tov. The Rebbe came down to
daven on a the big bimah in the
big zal, something reserved for
Tishrei1. After davening the Rebbe
said a Sicha, and so on for the next
week - every night another Sicha.
The Rebbe also declared an eis
ratzon, an auspicious times for
8 | Moshiach Weekly
In the Sicha of Hey Teves,

the
Rebbe
discussed
the
imprisonment and liberation of
the Alter Rebbe. The Alter Rebbe
then inquired whether he should
stop spreading Chassidus. The
answer was that on the contrary, he
should continue more than before.
The Rebbe continued The claim
was that Lubavitch is not active.
How can there be room for such
a claim? Lubavitch has done great
things and even wondrous things.
By now, even the teaching of aleph
beis has been permeated with
Chassidus, and connected with
atzmus, so to speak. Furthermore,
the Rebbe has told us that
everything is complete and all we
must do is to polish the buttons!
This means that the body and
soul are complete, the clothes are
complete and even the buttons
- something secondary to the
clothes - are complete. All we must
do is to stand ready for Moshiach.
How can one say that we are not
active?
The only explanation is that
Hashem wants us to do more.
To continue and multiply our
activities of spreading Chassidus.
On the second night, the Rebbe
spoke about that days chitas, in
which Hashem tells Yaakov avinu

not to worry when he goes down to
Mitzrayim, for I will make you a big
nation there. The Rebbe explained,
Mitzrayim refers to Golus. We find
ourselves now in the end of Golus,
and Hashem may not (and does not
want to) push off his promise of I
will make you a big nation there while still in Golus. Hashem must
do it right away, so we can then be
redeemed immediately afterwards.
On the third night, the Rebbe
discussed the fact that Yaakov
sent Yehuda to Goshen to set up
a Yeshiva. The Rebbe demanded
to add in institutions of Torah and
Tefillah, in general and in personal
homes. The Rebbe then spoke
in special terms regarding the
transportation of Shuls and batei
Chabad to Eretz Yisroel, saying
When Moshiach will come the
clouds will take all the Shuls, batei
Midrashos and Chabad Houses
to Eretz Yisroel. The clouds will
definitely rejoice on all the new
institutions added, and be excited
to take the new ones especially.
Seemingly the dispute was non

other than a heavenly decree
against the Rebbes leadership.
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expectations were high. This would

be the first Farbrengen with the
Rebbe since the ruling. And indeed,
they were not disappointed. At that
weeks Farbrengen the Rebbe spoke
very strongly about Moshiach and
the need to demand his arrival
through the cries of ad mosai!
During the Farbrengen Chassidim
put the words of ad mosai! to
many of the Niggunim sung by
the Farbrengen, at one point even
plainly chanting the words ad
mosai, demanding that the Geulah
of the sforim lead straight into the
true and complete Geulah.
The Chassidishe Parsha - Torah
Ohr of Parshas Vayigash speaks
about the Beis Hamikdash. The
Rebbe discussed this and then said,
We must announce and publicize
that we find ourselves now in a

special time and place, when there
is only one thing left to do: Stand
prepared - everyone - for the
building of the Beis Hamikdash
and the coming of Moshaich.
And therefore every single Jew
has the Shlichus to bring and reveal
the Beis Hamikdash, which is
already built and ready in Heaven,
and just needs to come down and
be revealed.
The Rebbe then spoke of the
lengthy Golus and said, Hashem
promised Avrohom avinu that the
Yidden will leave this Golus with
great riches. The reason the Golus
is so long must be in order to get
more riches, but by now this reason
is not applicable anymore, for we
Leil Shabbos when the Rebbe

came in for kabolas Shabbos tens
of guests who had arrived from
Eretz Yisroel were present who had
come to spend these special days
with the Rebbe. On the way a little
girl wished the Rebbe Mazal Tov.
After Davening on the way back to
his room the Rebbe turned to this
girl and told her, Gut Shabbos! We
want Moshiach now!.
When Shabbos Parshas Vayigash
arrived, the first Shabbos following
the ruling, the Chassidims
Hey Teves 5775 | 9
entrance to the Rebbes room, in

order to hand the Psak to the Rebbe.
already have the great riches of of

Torah and Mitzvos throughout all
the generations!
So maybe the reason is because
Hashem enjoys when the Yidden
demand ad mosai - how long
must we be in Golus?! And then
immediately Moshiach will come!
But even this can only be done
properly when Moshiach will come.
Sitting at that Farbrengen was
the Rov of Crown Heights, Rabbi
Yehuda Kalman Marlow. He
quickly made up his mind that he
would not let the Rebbes words
linger solely in chants and slogans,
but that they must be channeled

into concrete actions.
So, that very night, he gathered a
group of twenty five Rabbonim to
discuss what they can halachically
do regarding this issue. At that
meeting, Rabbi Marlow wrote up
an extensive psak din ruling that
Moshiach must come without
delay. The Psak was signed by all
those in attendance.
The following morning, Rabbi
Marlow, along with some other
Rabbonim, positioned themselves
in Gan Eden Hatachton, near the
After the all the Farbrenging and

dancing, the Bochurim returned
to Oholei Torah to find their pens
and papers exactly where they left
them.
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10 | Moshiach Weekly
Upon receiving the Psak, the

Rebbe leafed through it for some
time, and then said: May Hashem
satiate your hearts desires in all
that is written here in. And to
quote the Rambam: Amen! Indeed,
may it be His will! And may it be
immediately. Particularly since we
find ourselves thirty days before
Yud Shvat.
May we hear good news. And may
this day be transformed into one of
joy, happiness and festivals.
On the Sicha of the night of 12
Teves, the Rebbe put an end to the
week of chaos. The Rebbe rebuked
the Chassidim who werent careful
with the fast of Asara Bteves.
The Rebbe also demanded to
start not only rejoicing because of
the Seforim, but to actually sit and
learn. The learning was to be as a
preparation for Yud Shvat, and
everyone must be tested on what
they are learning.
The Rebbe then spoke about
the Geulah. The Frierdiker
Rebbe already said we must stand
prepared for the Geulah. Stand
prepared!
It is said, that some Bochurim in
Oholei Torah were in middle of
taking of test. The Bochurim heard
that Didan Notzach and they ran
to 770 right away. A week later,
after the all the Farbrenging and
dancing the Bochurim returned

to Oholei Torah to find their pens
and papers exactly where they left
them.
Hey Teves is known as the Yom
Tov of the Seforim. The Rebbe
requested from Kehos to set a
huge sale on all Seforim, and that
everyone should buy Seforim on
Hey Teves. On Hey Teves 5752,
Kehos not only made the sale for
that day - they announced that
they are making the sale until
Moshiach will come!
Up until this very day that
we celebrate this unique joyful
these words of "imdu hochein

kulchem" which the Rebbe
stressed time and again during the
period following Didan Notzach we should be zoche to the removal
of all pain and suffering with the
immediate descent of the built and
ready Beis Hamikdash.
The sale Kehos made, which lasted

until the coming of Moshiach
1. Later from Tishrei 5750 the Rebbe

davened on the big Bimah the entire
year round.
occasion, a day when a heavy

burden of agmas nefesh which
laid on our Rebbe was promptly
removed. Through taking to heart
Hey Teves 5775 | 11
t was just a few days before

Chanukah of 5752. The crowd
gathered at 770 listened closely as
the Rebbes voice echoed through 770. It
was a mere six months earlier that the Rebbe
demanded that Chassidim do all they can to
bring Moshiach. Ever since that astounding
Sicha, the Rebbe stressed, week after week,
how imminent Moshiachs arrival is. But on
Shabbos Parshas Vayeishev, the Rebbe took
Moshiach's imminence to a completely new
level.
The Rebbe began the Farbrengen,

describing the changes which had occurred
in France throughout the past generations.
From being a place of klipa, which the Alter
Rebbe fought wholeheartedly, to becoming
what France is today, a country flourishing
with Yiddishkeit.
This change can be seen in the French
national anthem as well. The French national
anthem, is a melody rooted in the core of the
French Revolution, and composed over two
hundred years ago, on the eve of the French
Hey Teves 5775 | 13
assault on Austria. It was with the

chords of this melody that thousands
of eager Frenchmen were to celebrate
the authority that had been wrested
from the monarchy. Thus, this
melody came to symbolize precisely
the self-assertive Napoleonic spirit
which grew out of the Revolution
- which the Alter Rebbe strongly
opposed.
However on Simchas Torah 5734,
to the Chasdidim's surprise, the
Rebbe taught this melody to the
words of ho'aderes veho'emunah.
Shortly afterwards, certain notes
of this song were altered by the
French. The Rebbe explained this
phenomenon, as France willingly
giving over its national anthem to the
Chassidim. Indeed, it is miraculous
that a country should change its
national anthem, particularly one
so deeply rooted in its history. This
fact alone bears testimony to the
unique spiritual changes that have
transpired in France.
The Rebbe then continued: All this
is a result of the transformation of
the klipa of France. Standing so close
to the Geulah, we were even able to
transform the klipa that the alter
Rebbe opposed, into kedusha!
In this article we will explore the
This article is based on extensive interviews with the individuals

personally involved in these unique events. We would like to thank
the many people who took from their time to share their memories
with us, and searched through their archives to share photos and
documents printed here. The following is a partial list.
Rabbi Mendel Abrahams, Rabbi Mendel Azimov, Rabbi Yaakov
Biton. Rabbi Yechiel Kalmenson, Rabbi Shmuel Labkowski, Rabbi
Reuven Matusof, Rabbi Shmerel Matusof, Rabbi Elchonon Dov
Morozov, Rabbi Pinchas Pashter, Rabbi Abraham Baruch Pevzner,
Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Pevzner, Rabbi Chaim Slonim.
revolution from its varied facets,

thereby receiving a comprehensive
picture of its breadth and scope,
underscoring how a country
infamous for its low moral standards
has been transformed into a country
with one of the strongest Lubavitch
communities, made from scratch.
when the foundations were laid

for the subsequent blossoming of
Yiddishkeit in this locale.
The turnover can be divided into

four stages:
Or in the words of the Rebbetzin

in 5728, to Mrs. Basya Azimov (then
Basya Shemtov) before she embarked
on Shlichus with her husband to be,
Rabbi Shmuel Azimov: We plowed
and sowed and your job is to reap the
harvests.
1. From the times of the Alter

Rebbe, through the mid 5690s, when,
despite the measured inroads of the
light of Kedusha and Chassidus,
France continued to serve as a place
of defiant impurity.
Meaning that while the full

development of Chabad in Paris
and its environs happened only
years later, nevertheless, the key
breakthrough occurred during that
period.
2. Starting in the 5690s until 5722,
3. Starting with 5722 (1962) and
on through the late eighties, when,

despite the blossoming and fruition
of the energy and exertion that
the Rebbeim and their Shluchim
invested in France throughout the
generations in the unique style of
France, Moshiach and the complete
redemption were not yet placed in
bold relief, as the time had not yet
arrived.
4. From around 5751 to date,
per the instructions of the Rebbe,
Moshiach has become the main
focus, with unique initiatives in
the realm of spreading the Besuras
Hageulah, and the Geulah message
clearly being the undercurrent of all
other activities.
France the Klipa:

In 5572, Napoleon invaded Russia,
subsequent to his vast conquest
in other parts of the world. At
first glance, the ill-equipped and
antiquated Russian army did not
seem to stand a chance versus the
well-armed modern French army,
led by Napoleon. Moreover, some
of the greatest Torah leaders of that
generation were of the opinion that
his victory would greatly benefit
the Yidden, as their dire physical
situation would drastically improve,
thereby alleviating the tremendous
difficulties and distractions to
keeping Torah and Mitzvos which
they had encountered until then due
to financial strain etc.
However, the leader of that
generation, the Alter Rebbe,
contended that the opposite was
true. While their physical lot would
improve should Napoleon win, their
spiritual state would deteriorate, as a
life of affluence would tremendously
distract them from Yiddishkeit.
On the other hand, if the Russian
Czar would win, the Alter Rebbe
maintained, although Jews might
suffer physically, they will retain
their connection to Yiddishkeit in its

fullest sense.
Therefore, the Alter Rebbe put great
efforts, physically and spiritually, to
ensure the victory of the Czar and
the downfall of Napoleon. This was
till the extent that when his eldest
son, the Mittler Rebbe, saw with
his own eyes the horrendous sight
of the entire Russian senate fleeing
Moscow, the Alter Rebbe reassured
him and even swore that ultimately
Napoleon will suffer a complete and
utter downfall - which did indeed
materialize not too long after.
The Alter Rebbes abhorrence of
Napoleon was so extreme that he
did not to remain in the territories
which Napoleon conquered, instead,
he fled.
On the other hand, we find that
the Rebbe Maharash traveled
multiple times to France, making
multiple baalei Teshuvah there, as
in the famous story when the Rebbe
Maharash entered a casino in one
of the most elegant hotels in Paris,
approached one of the gamblers and
told him young man, Yayin Nesech
blocks the heart and mind, after
which the man found no peace until
he did complete Teshuvah.
This new attitude towards France
intensified, when the foundation
and core of the legendary hemshech

teerav was laid in Menton, a resort
in southern France. Nevertheless,
France still retained its intense
impurity as evident from the fact
that neither the Rabbeim nor their
Shluchim dwelled in France on a
permanent basis, rather merely
traveled there for brief visits.
This all changed abruptly in 5693.
The Breakthrough:
In 5693, the Rebbe and Rebbetzin
were sent by the previous Rebbe
to settle in France. Once there,
the Rebbe began a large variety of
activities, on all fronts, to transform
France into a place of Torah study
and fulfilment of Mitzvos.
From shiurim and outreach to
personal advise, the activities of
the Rebbe and Rebbetzin defied
and shattered the prior unspoken
barriers to Yiddishkeit .
The few details that are known
of these vast activities have already
been documented elsewhere at
length. We will suffice with one story
to illustrate the extreme devotion of
the Rebbe to this particular cause.
The Rebbe would deliver a weekly
shiur on Gemoro in the local Shul in
Paris. One week, a devout participant
Hey Teves 5775 | 15
called the Rebbe, suggesting that

there was no need for the Rebbe to
show his presence, since there would
probably be low - if any - attendance
due to the bad weather condition.
The Rebbe decided to appear anyway
and learnt with a lone participant
who did indeed arrive despite the
rain.
Eight years later, in 5701 the Nazis
invaded France, as a result of which,
the Rebbe and Rebbetzin fled Paris
and eventually made their way, via
various other French towns, to the
safe shores of America. However
after the war (circa 5707), the
main body of Russian Lubavitcher
Chassidim arrived in France and,
almost immediately upon arrival,
founded a branch of Tomchei
Temimim - similar to the original one
in Lubavitch - in the pristine locale of
Brunoy, inside the pre-revolutionary
mansion of Napoleon's brother.
Upon its opening, the Frierdiker
Rebbe wrote them a very enthusiastic
letter stating we cannot fathom
the great pleasure and nachas you
are thereby causing to the Rebbeim
on high.
Nevertheless, there still wasn't
much movement in the realm of
spreading Yiddishkeit in France,
especially relative to its great
potential.
Reaping the fruits:

Brunoy, France 5722 - this bucolic
setting still housed Yeshivas Tomchei
Temimim, reestablished there some
15 years ago, albeit in a smaller and
more subtle fashion. The cause of this
difference between the two was that
only select personage remained to
maintain the Yeshiva, while
the vast majority of anash
The first
(for whom the Yeshiva had
Mitzvah
been exclusively geared)
Tank in
had already moved from
France
France, making
their way to
Eretz Yisroel,
America and
the like.
More
so,
while
there
still remained
select anash in
France as per
the
Rebbes
instructions,
the
younger
generation
dreamed
to
finally make their way to 770 to
constantly be in the Rebbes presence,
as many of them eventually did.
As a result, the very existence of
the Yeshiva was under threat and,
if something would not change
drastically, would possibly be forced
to close.
Two key factors changed the
picture. Firstly, as a major migration
of Algerian Yidden began at that
time, the Rebbe instructed Reb Hillel
Pevzner, a member of the hanholo
in Yeshiva, to begin expanding the
scope of the Yeshiva. Consequently,
Reb Mulle Azimov learning with the young

Cheder children
the amount of talmidim increased

measurably.
Most importantly, due to the
dwindling number of Talmidim, the
Rebbe sent six Bochurim as Shluchim
to strengthen and bring a new chayus
into the Yeshiva. The Shluchim were:
Reb Avraham Lipsker, Reb Shimon
Lazarof, Reb Shmaryahu Roitblat,
Reb Asher Tzirngold, Reb Yaakov
Shimon Goldberg and Reb Bentzion
Shifrin.
They arrived in France after Pesach
5722, remaining there until Tishrei
that year. While there, not only did

they breathe new life and vitality into
the Yeshiva, but they also told over
Sichos on Shabbos in different Shuls
around Paris.
(The vast majority of Shulattending Yidden still spoke Yiddish
in that period, consequently,
although the Shluchim did not speak
a word of French, it was still possible
for them to communicate with
French Jewry).
However,
the
Talmidim
HaShluchim returned to New York
before Tishrei, leaving a void in
their place. When Reb Nissen asked
the Rebbe what to do, the response
was that the local Bochurim should
continue where the Shluchim left off.
At that point there were three
bochurim who were old enough to
facilitate this task. They were Reb
Mulle Azimov, Reb Yaakov Goldberg,
and Reb Zalman Labkowski.
It is noteworthy, that when Reb
Zalman Labkowski visited the Rebbe
during this period and requested
permission to stay, the Rebbe
answered . . there are one or two
of my Shluchim in France who are
active, do you want to take them
away also?!
Each one of them was intensely
active, giving multiple shiurim
in Paris daily, thereby greatly
affecting tens of Yidden and
frequently hosting them in the
Yeshiva for Shabbos.
By 5726, both Reb Zalman
Labkowski and Reb Yankel
Goldberg had both gone to study
in 770, leaving Reb Mulle Azimov
as the only remaining member of
the original trio.
In addition to his activities
throughout the year, Reb Mulle
Azimov (and the other bochurim
capacity. As a result, the program

moved to another location.
There are one

or two of my
Shluchim in
France who
are active,
do you want
to take them
away also?!
when they were there) would bring a
large group of youth for the summer,
to be enveloped 24/7 in a Yeshiva
atmosphere, reaping the expected
results.
Earlier, in spring 5727, the influence

of the Yeshiva on secular French
jewry took on a new dimension, with
the launch of Mivtzah Tefillin.
This is how it developed in France:
When Reb Yaakov Yehuda Refson
heard the Rebbe's demand, he
immediately felt the need to act upon
them in their most simple sense - to
actually lay Tefillin with Jewish males
who didnt do so alone, despite the
fact that it was totally out of the
norm in those days to stop people on
the street and ask if they were Jewish.
However, when he approached Reb
Nissen to receive permission, he was
told that the Rebbe does not mean to
By summer 5727, the number of

youth attending the program had
grown to one hundred, making it
impossible for the Yeshiva to fill this
Rabbi Pinchos Pashter learning with a group of

teens in the first years of his Shlichus.
The Rebbe's visit

In 5707, the Rebbe came to greet
his mother, Rebbitzen Chana, in
Paris, after she escaped Soviet
Russia. It is related, that the Rebbe
visited a institution containing
over eighty girls saved from the
war, and Reb Zalman Shneorson
exerted himself extensively to save
them. Many arrived with a cross
still on their necks.
When the Rebbe visited them,
he addressed the girls for an
extended period of time, with
tears occasionally dripping from
his eyes. The girls were greatly
inspired by the address, and by

many this stands out as one of
the most momentous occasion of
their lives.
Reb Shmaryhu Susunkin, once

encountered the Rebbe walking
down the streets, looking inside
a fully opened newspaper. When
the Rebbe noticed his presence he
remarked, "in Paris it's impossible
to stroll with open eyes..." ( It
was later discovered that the
newspaper was ages old.)
Hey Teves 5775 | 17
actually go out on the street to put

Tefillin on people, rather, the Rebbe is
speaking of the the concepts as they
are on high. In turn, Yaakov Yehuda
countered that the Rebbe says what
he means what he says and says what
he means - in its most literal sense.
This argument continued for a while,
until Reb Nissen finally confronted
him asking if he really thinks this
is the Rebbe's intention. When he
answered in the affirmative, Reb
Nissen told him to go, instructing
him to report back his results.
Even with this permission in hand,
he still faced one final obstacle - he
did not speak a word of French.
Therefore, he took along a French
ba'al teshuvah, Mordechai Elbaz, to
help him communicate.
They arrived in the Pletzel (the
old time center of the Jewish
community) walked into a caffe, at
that point Mordechai hesitated, but
Yaakov prodded him on.
After hearing a quick explanation
as to the purpose of their visit, the
owner promptly rolled up his sleeve
and ordered his jewish patronage
to do likewise. All present swiftly
complied, while Reb Y Y Refson
explained to them, that by putting on
Tefillin, they can help their brothers
in Eretz Hakodesh. This scene
due to the restricted manpower

available.
There is no
doubt that
Moshiachs
Hisgalus is
beginning to
take place in
France.
repeated itself in multiple locations

around the city.
When he reported back, Reb
Nissen was shocked and exclaimed
giliuy elokus b'muchash! (a clear
revelation of G-dliness!). From those
miraculous beginnings, Mivtza
Tefillin continued uninterrupted
until this very day. To date, there
exists more than one hundred
Mivtzoim routes on which countless
people lay Tefillin weekly, as well as a
general reconnection to Yiddishkeit.
However, even with all of these
intense projects, the activities and
their results still remained limited
This all changed in 5730.

In 5730 six bochurim came of age
to be Shluchim, Reb Yosef Yitzchok
Labkowski, Reb Mulle Gurevitch,
Reb Yosef Yitzchok Matusoff, Reb
Avraham Baruch Pevzner, Reb Yosef
Yitzchok Horowitz and Reb Yitzchok
Goldberg.
At last, with six bochurim putting
hours daily into shiurim, the work
truly began to blossom, with the
amount of shiurim and baalei
teshuvah, increasing drastically,
yielding the results that we can see
today with our own eyes.
In the beginning, the shiurim
took place in the building of Talmud
Torah 99 rue du tamp, until Beis
Lubavitch on rue du Lamartine was
purchased in 5732, broadening the
cramped quarters somewhat, though
not entirely.
As Reb Shmuel Labkowski, a
Shliach from 5732 through 5736,
testfies, at his shiur, besides the
people seated around the table, the
room was packed with students
seated on the floor etc.
These in depth shiurim were one
of the main factors of the success. As
Reb Mulle Azimov recounted, in his
only interview he ever granted in the
mid mems, that at his first meeting
with any Yidden, he obligated him
to participate weekly in three hours
of shiurim, thereby giving him a
solid base in Yiddishkeit, leading
eventually to a full Torah lifestyle.
Another unique aspect of the
Shlichus in France which
led to it's extreme success,
The French
was that Reb Mulle knew
Kinus
what others did not yet
Hashluchim
know (rather eventually
Picture
realizing years later), that
the goal and point of our Shlichus is,

to bring people to the Rebbe, thereby
having a irreversible life changing
effect on them.
In the same vein, of the first
things given over to the mekorovim
by Reb Mulle was that the Rebbe is
Moshiach.
The activities of the Talmidim
HaShluchim were so successful
that in 5737 they purchased and
furnished the first proper Mitzvah
tank in France.
Unfortunately, in 5741, the intense
involvement of the Shluchim of
Tomchei Temimim in hafotzo was
abruptly halted, thereby severing, to
a major degree, the deep connection
French Jewry had enjoyed with the
Yeshiva that had brought them an
undiluted version of Yiddishkeit and
Chassidishkeit.
However, by then the French
revolution had grown to proportions
large enough to be deemed
unstoppable and continued to grow,
albeit in a more measured fashion,
until this very day.
Di Aintzike Shlichus
The Lag
Bomer
Parade in
Carcel
Dov Morozov relates: to my fatherin-law, Moshiach was a constant

theme which permeated every fiber
of his being. Every peulah he did,
was geared to the goal of bringing
Moshiach. Furthermore, he made
mention many times that the Rebbe
is Moshiach, and he will be nisgale
speedily.
To the tune of the sicha on
Shabbos Vayeshev 5752, Reb
Mendel Azimov notes the growth
of the Jewish community in France.
With the many Yeshivos, Jewish
schools, Kosher restaurants, and
the 180 Shluchim who run over
30 Chabad Houses, there is no

doubt that Moshiachs hisgalus is
beginning to take place in France.
Due to the vast amount of peulos,
we will suffice with a small sample
of varied activities and stories.
Hopefully, this will provide a general
picture of how the avodah of lhovi
lyemos haMoshiach was executed in
France.
The Peulos burst forth in full force,
in Reb Elchonon Morozovs words
All we did in those years was Moshiach.
After the Sicha of 28 Nisan

5751, France took an active role in
publicizing Moshiachs imminent
arrival. In an interview with Moshiach
Weekly, Reb Mendel Azimov recalls
how during Chanukah Live his father
- Reb Mulle, was greatly excited,
as it was just days after the Sicha
of Vayeishev 5752. He therefore
instigated a tremendous
koch,
regarding
A Huge
Moshiachs coming at
billboard in the
the live broadcast seen
center of Paris
by thousands worldwide.
encouraging
In regard to Reb Mulle
in general, his sonin-law Reb Elchonon
Yidden to add
in Tzedaka to
bring Moshiach
Hey Teves 5775 | 19
As Yud Alef Nissan neared, a huge

parade was prepared in connection
with tishim shana. With banners
and balloons covering many cars,
the parade was called the Moshiach
Parade. The parade marched through
Sarcelle and Aubervillier.
In the winter of 5752, Mrs Basya
Azimov organized, on behalf of
Neshei Chabad of France, multiple
events with the theme of kabolas
hamalchus, with the consent and
Bracha of the Rebbe.
Similarly, Reb Hillel Pevzner,
Founder
of
Sinai
Lubavitch
Educational Complex, organized
a melava malka on the theme of
kabolas hamalchus. His son, Reb

Yosef Yitzchok Pevzner relates: in the
winter of 5752 my father placed a full
page advertisement in the primary
Jewish newspaper of France, the
'Actualite Juive' (at the time, the only
Jewish newspaper in France), inviting
one and all to the melava malka,
and explaining the unique period
we have entered. The advertisement
contained the famous slogans
regarding Moshiach's coming, such
as hichono lbias haMoshiach,
hiney zeh Moshiach bo and higia
zman geulaschem.
The event took place with great
success, my father was the main
speaker at the event, he spoke with

enthusiasm saying that the walls
must start shaking, while speaking at
length about the new tekufa and that
Moshiach is very near.
In the same vein, Reb Yechiel
Kalmanson, Rosh Yeshiva in Brunoy,
recalls how he once spoke in the
Yeshiva, explaining at length the
concept of kabolas hamalchus, and
that the Rebbe is Moshiach and we
must accept his kingship in a serious
fashion. Subsequently the staff and
student body promptly signed and
were mekabel the Rebbe, as Melech
HaMoshiach.
This initiated a large koch in
Moshiach in the Yeshiva, and
particularly, that the Rebbe is
Moshiach. Reb Elchonon Morozov
(who served as a Maggid shiur in the
Yeshiva in the beginning of 5755)
relates: Reb Mendel Gurevitch (the
menahel gashmi of the Yeshiva)
Farbrenged, saying how if we look
into the Sichos, we see that the
Rebbe is Moshiach. When someone
tried calming him down, He replied
very sharply, why are you speaking
nonsense . . ?
I also recall, how we started a
daily shiur in Geulah U'Moshiach.
In fact, when each weeks Sicha was
published, all the Bochurim would
jump on the Sicha, learn it, talk about
it, and live with the new giluyim. The
general feeling in the Yeshiva was,
that Moshiach was about to arrive.
To date, the Yeshiva continues to
very strongly koch in Moshiach, both
the students and hanhala.
Reb Pinchas Pashter recalls: The
Moshiach campaign in France
was such a success, that whenever
someone met a Lubavitcher, he was
asked about Moshiach. It was as if
the entire France was living Geulah.
Reb Yaakov Biton, Shliach in
Sarcelle, France relates: Every Motzei
Shabbos we would have a conference

on the topic of Geulah UMoshiach.
Aside from a weekly distribution of
Moshiach flyers to all the houses in
our community, and hosting a weekly
lecture on the topics of Moshiach,
we also arranged a monthly yom
iyun, focussed fully on the topics of
Moshiach.
In 5754, the French Matte Moshiach
headed by Reb Yaakov Blum and Reb
Reuven Matusof (among others),
opened with the Rebbes Bracha.
They were responsible for the many
shiurim on inyonei Moshiach and
Geulah, as well as the many billboard
signs and posters proclaiming
Moshiach's arrival, which were hung
all across Paris.
To conclude, Reb Chaim Slonim,
Shliach of Dijon, France, shared with
us a heartfelt thought with regards
to his present Shlichus: I am on
Shlichus in a relatively small city in
France. As in other small cities, the
Jewish population has drastically
dwindled in the past couple of years.
No Jew will be
left behind,
therefore, we
must reach
out to every
last Jew in
every far
flung corner
of the world,
in order
to prepare
him for the
imminent
complete
Geulah.
Some people say that we should

leave as well, why waste your time
on a couple of Yidden, when you can
find a location where you can come
into contact with a greater amount of
Yidden?"
However, as Lubavitchers we know
that the opposite is true. Now is the
time of the Geulah where no Jew will
be left behind, therefore, we must
reach out to every last Jew in every
far flung corner of the world, in order
to prepare him for the imminent
complete Geulah, "veatem teluktu
lechod echod".
May
the
Geulah
arrive
immediately. Rebbe, oy Rebbe, galai
kevod malechuscha alainu. We
cannot continue like this, ata tashuv
techayainu, uneranena venismecha
bechal yamainu.
A float
made by
Chabad of
Carcel on
the theme
of vgar zev
im keves
Hey Teves 5775 | 21
Hey Teves 5775 | 23
The crowd listened closely as

the voice of the famed Chossid,
Rabbi Yaakov Yehuda Hecht
- affectionately known as JJ echoed through 770. It was during
the 8th seudas hodaah and Rosh
Chodesh Kislev Farbrengen, in
the year 5747, when Rabbi Hecht
said these historic words:
Rabosai, we live in a time
when 'kolu kol hakitzin. In the
American language this means
that Moshiach is long overdue.
Just by looking into the era in
which we live, we can tell that
it is not the norm. After all that
has occurred in recent times,
the heartbreaking nebach tzaros
which we go through in our daily
lives, we see that we are not living
in tranquil times. Definitely not
the way it is meant to be.
But
rabosai
we
must
do
something! We have to wake up

and destroy all hardships. We
must cry out and beg Hashem
to have mercy on us. There is
a Midrash on Bereishis that
explains after the churban, a
decree was made in Heaven on
all talmidei chachomim, that
they would have to learn with
tremendous pain. Why is this? In
order to propel them to daven for
Moshiach! Rabosai, why does pain
exist in the world? Just to get us to
daven for Moshiach! If such is the
case, why don't we see everyone
davening for Moshiach?!
I recently heard a story about
a child from the Valley who was
asked last Purim to sing We
Want Moshiach Now. The child,
however, refused to sing, saying
that he has been singing for
Moshiach to arrive for over three
years, and still Moshiach has yet

to appear.
Rabosai, we are in Golus for
nearly 2000 years, and Moshiach
is still yet to come. Ad mosai?!
How long do we need to wait?!
Who has enough koach to hold on
any longer?! Why does Hashem
have to burn out all of our kochos?
In my humble opinion, I believe
we should write in to the Rebbe
and beg that he have rachmonus
on us, ad mosai?! We do not need
to wait for a special day to ask the
Rebbe, and then just add it to the
pan kloli, which we would anyway
write for that day. We must do
something today. Today is a day of
rachamim - a day of Farbrengens.
A day that we thank Hashem for
giving us our Rebbe, and today is
the day we must demand from the
Rebbe to have rachmanus on us and bring

Moshiach now!
"I am not an important person to state all
my opinions, but I know how much it pains
my heart. Rabosai, Hashem should help
that from this seudas hodaah, we should go
together with the Rebbe to greet Moshiach.
Everything that needs to be done for klal
Yisroel as a whole should happen now. As
the Rebbe says mamosh, mamosh, mamosh
- three times, that Hashem should help, to
make all Jewish hearts shake, and to feel how
the world is shaking like never before!
"Let us beg the Rebbe to plead for mercy
on our behalf, and right away we should go
with him at our head, to greet Moshiach
Tzidkeinu, and see the building of the Beis
Hamikdash hashlishi, speedily in our days."
The atmosphere was thick. Chassidim sat
in awe, looking at one another, wondering
what could possibly happen next. Rabbi
Hecht, however, being a man of action, did
not rest for a moment. He started making
his first arrangements for something which
would, in his opinion, bring this bitter Golus
to an end.
Preparations began in full swing. Rabbi
Hecht decided that at the next Tzivos
Hashem childrens rally, he would present
the Rebbe with a pan signed by all the

children, requesting of the Rebbe to bring
Moshiach now.
Rabbi Hecht explained his idea to the school
principals, and supplied them with copies of
the pan. The goal was to get each child to sign
the pan, and have a few children represent
their respective schools. Each child was to
give a dime as well, which would be given to
the Rebbe together with the signatures.
Rabbi Bentzion Korf relates: I was an 11 year

old boy in Oholei Torah elementary school,
when the principal called me into his office
during the first days of Chanukah. He told
me that this year there would be something
very special - at the Chanukah rally we would
be giving a pan to the Rebbe expressing
that Moshiach should come, and that I was
chosen to have the privilege to give it to the
Rebbe. My joy cannot be described on paper.
I excitedly came home telling my parents
about the special zechus I would be having,
and started getting ready for the special day.
I believe
we should
write in to
the Rebbe
and beg
that he have
Rachmonus on
us.
On the morning of the fifth day of

Chanukah, I woke up early and went to
Mikvah, put on special Shabbos clothes and
learned something special. Throughout the
entire rally, I had one thing on my mind, that
I would soon be presenting the Rebbe with
the signatures. It was definitely one of the
highlights, of my entire childhood life.
Mrs. Pessy Shochat relates: I was a new
girl in Beis Rivkah, in fact my first year there,
when one day Rabbi Newman - our principal,
called me into his office and told me that I
will have the zechus to give the signatures to
the Rebbe. I was overjoyed. I would be the
one to represent all girls, in asking the Rebbe
to bring Moshiach."
A Pan written by a child,

asking for Moshiach
Hey Teves 5775 | 25
The entire
rally I had
one thing on
my mind, that
soon I would
be presenting
the Rebbe the
signatures. It
was definitely
one of the
highlights,
of my entire
childhood life.
The day is here, the fifth candle will soon

be lit. Aside from the regular excitement
which preceded the ordinary Tzivos
Hashem rallies, this one had something
unique. 770 is packed with children of all
ages, preparing for the historic moment,
when the pan will be given to the Rebbe.
From when the Rebbe walked into Shul,
the excitement was felt. As the band
played Sheyibone, all eyes were on the
Rebbe. The Rebbe made his way up to
his Bima, turned around to the children
and began encouraging the Nigun, as the
singing intensified.
In the first Sicha, the Rebbe mentioned
that every child should make their
room into a house of Torah, Tefilla,
and Tzedaka, and inspire others to do
the same, appropriate for the theme
of Chanukah to light up the darkness
outside - Al pesach baisoi mebachutz,
for this will hasten the Chanukah

present which Hashem will give us Moshiach.
During the translation, Rabbi JJ
Hecht asked the children what will
be Hashems Chanukah present to
us? They all screamed out in unity
Moshiach! It was a sight to be seen. He
then praised them for listening to what
the Rebbe was saying, at that point the
Rebbe smiled broadly and looked very
happy, and satisfied.
After the Rebbe finished the third
Sicha, JJ began to introduce what was
about to happen.
"Usually I give a Brocho at the end" he
began, "but we are going to do something
different now. Listen kinderlach,
everybody in this room and throughout
the world I want you to hear what's
happening here tonight.
"The children wrote a pidyon

to the Rebbe, it is signed by 1770
signatures of the kinderlach,
their names and their mother's
names, and all the kinderlach
have given a dime for the
pidyon. In the pidyon which the
boys will bring up to the Rebbe,
they ask the Rebbe to do that
what he has been talking about
all this time.
"It says over here, that the
kinderlach are asking a special
request of the Rebbe, just like he
told us we can ask by our parents
that they should do something
special for us on Chanukah, so
this Chanukah we are asking of
the Rebbe something special.
We want that the Rebbe should
ask from the Commander-inChief in Heaven, that we want
Moshiach now!
"I want you to know, that these
kinderlach went to Mikvah
today, and they are coming
up together with the bags of
pidyonos. And after that, we
will have the maidlach, come up
with the pidyonos on behalf of
the girls."
The children representing
the boys schools - Bentzion
Korf of Oholei Torah, and
Menachem Mendel Umener
from Lubavitcher Yeshiva went up first. Followed by the
children representing the girls
schools - Pessi Wolfson and
Sara Gansburg of Beis Rivkah.
As the children gave the pan
to the Rebbe, the Rebbe smiled
broadly.
The Rebbe then turned to the
shtender and said:
, .
,
," ''
," " ' .

- , ,
-
,
,
Rabbi JJ
Hecht asked
the children
what will
be Hashems
Chanukah
present to
us? They all
screamed
out as one
Moshiach!

! ! ,
As usual, the pidyonos will be
brought to the Tziyon of the
Frierdiker Rebbe. Yehi ratzon,
that very soon, we shall see the
fulfillment of the possuk yeiroeh
el elokim betzion, by all Yidden,
neshomos in bodies. Hashem
should grant all Yidden, his
goodness and salvation until
He will rest His shchina in
Eretz Yisroel, with the Geulah
hoamitis vehashleimah and
Moshiach at our head, Amen!
The children all replied, Amen!
These moments are described
in the yomanim as 'an awesome
moment' and 'Lucky is the one
who saw this all'.
,
,
Hey Teves 5775 | 27
The sefer Besuras HaGeulah at first glance

seems like just another of the many likkutim compiled about Inyonei Geulah UMoshiach. However
as our readers will soon observe this is not at
all just another Sefer. To better grasp the prime
importance and chiddush of this Sefer Moshiach
Weekly held a special interview with Rabbi Shmuel Chaim Bluming of Oholei Torah Zal, compiler
of the sefer who shed light and recounted the
special days when the Sefer was released.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
As is well-known during the years

5751-2 there was a tremendous
hisorerus in inyonei Moshiach, the
anticipation for the hisgalus being
genuinely felt literally 24 hours of the
day.
Even following the Rebbes stroke
on 27 Adar I 5752, despite over six
months of chassidim not seeing the
Rebbe, this anticipation continued
to soar, all felt that immediately the
situation would be turned around
and the Rebbe would be become
gezunt and lead us all to Eretz Yisroel
as Moshiach. From Tishrei 5753
the Rebbe began to come out to
chassidim encouraging, almost daily,
the singing of Yechi which brought
a new chayus in all peulos to bring
about Bias HaMoshiach.
Anash and tmimim added in
learning an abundance of inyonei
Moshiach according to the Rebbes
request and direction to learn in
depth this subject. However a major
difficulty was felt in this regard. In his
instruction to learn inyonei Moshiach
the Rebbe asked for two different
types of study: One was to be a
general study of all topics to do with

Moshiach as documented throughout
Neviim,
Gemara,
Midroshim,
the Rambam and especially Toras
HaChassidus. On this note the Rebbe
in a most special act distributed
the booklet Dvar Malchus on 15
Iyar 5751 containing four Sichos
explaining general concepts of Geulah
UMoshiach. The second was that the
Rebbe said that an emphasis should
be placed on learning parts of Torah
which illustrate how the Geulah is
already at the doorstep enabling us to
truly live with Moshiach already now
in these last moments of Golus1.
In the Sichos said in those years
the Rebbe did just that connecting
all events happening in the world at
that time to Moshiach. The excited
crowd gathered in 770 and the thirsty
readers of the Sichos worldwide never
needed to wait long to hear the Rebbe
connect the world's current state of
affairs to the fact that the time of our
Geulah is here2.
At that time these historic words
had already been printed in the
weekly sichos the Rebbe had edited,
Hey Teves 5775 | 29
however, at that time

Sefer Hasichos 5752
had not even yet
been printed making
it nearly impossible
for one who wished
to thoroughly absorb the
Rebbe's message regarding
the imminent Geulah. First of
all he would need to have in his
possession all of the Sichos and
even if he did have them all this
particular matter was scattered
throughout sichos which had
come out during over a year and a
half. And thus the need arose for
a new publication. A book from
which everyone could clearly see
and learn all the Rebbes Besuras
HaGeulah in one place, and not
need to look around in Seforim
and shuffle through pamphlets.
A book from which one could
easily study and share with others
the Rebbe's message regarding
the impending redemption
offering true inspiration to live
with Moshiach.
At this point Rabbi Shmuel
Chaim Bluming came in to the
story but first let us preface
regarding the Besuras HaGeulah
in general:
During Menachem Av 5750,
Reb Yosef Kazen OBM, made
an intriguing post on a door
at the back of 770. It was the
following yalkut shimoni, which
he publicized in connection with
the situation developing in the
Middle East at the time:
In the year that Moshiach
will be revealed, the Kings of the
worlds nations will battle each
other. The King of Persia will war
with the King of Arabia, and the
King of Arabia will to the nation
of Aram in order to take advice
And all the nations of the world
will be in an uproar and be
confused Yisroel will scream
and be frightened and say, to
where shall I go? Where shall we

go? And Hashem tells them, My
sons, dont be afraid. All that I
am doing is only for your sake
dont be scared. The time of your
redemption has arrived.And
the final Geulah will be unlike
the first. The initial Geulah was
followed by pain and battles with
others. But with the final Geulah,
there will not be any suffering or
war afterwards.
As the Rebbe was exiting 770
after maariv, he stopped and
looked at the sign which Yosef
Kazen had posted. Later on the
Rebbe instructed the mazkir
Rabbi Leibel Groner to tell
Rabbi Kazen to add the section
of the Midrash which followed
the aforementioned one to his
display: Raboseinu said: At the
time of the coming of Moshiach,
he will stand on the roof of the
Beis Hamikdash and announce:
Humble ones, the time of your
redemption has arrived!
From that point and throughout
5751, the Rebbe referred to this
midrash on countless occasions
showing how all of its details
accurately described the events
which were taking place at that
time. The Rebbe explained that
the revelation of Moshiach
described by this midrash is not
the ultimate revelation which
will take place in the Geulah.
Rather, the midrash is discussing
the revelation of Moshiach which
will occur while the Yidden are
still found in the midst of Golus!
The Rebbe explained that this
understanding of the midrash
can be easily inferred. It is
obvious that after the descent
of the Beis Hamikdash and after
all Klal Yisroel arrives in Eretz
Yisroel on heavenly clouds,
there will be no need for the
announcement the time of your
redemption has arrived because
it will be obvious for all to see.

In light of this, the Rebbe
further explained the meaning
of what the midrash says that
Moshiach will stand on the roof
of the Beis Hamikdash to make
his announcement:
In Hilchos Beis Habechirah, the
Rambam states that the roof of
the Beis Hamikdash was not holy
with the same kedushah of the
Beis Hamikdash itself. Bearing
this in mind, the Rebbe explained,
one can say that the midrash
is hinting to something quite
extraordinary. One could say
that Moshiachs tiding of higia
zman geulaschem will come
from Beis Rabbeinu of Bavel!
For this is the Beis Hamikdosh
of chutz laretz which is not holy
with the same kedushah of Eretz
Yisroel. A parallel can easily be
drawn with the above-mentioned
difference between the roof of
the Beis Hamikdash and the Beis
Hamikdash itself.
This fact is even hinted to in
Halacha: At the end of Hilchos
Melochim, the Rambam writes
that Moshiach will build the
Beis Hamikdash in its place (
) . The Rebbe asked:
Why does the Rambam write
that Moshiach will build it in its
place? He should write clearly
that Moshiach will build the Beis
Hamikdosh in Yerushalayim.
The Rebbe answered that the
words in its place are a remez
from the Rambam. He is hinting
that Moshiach, while still
anticipating the Geulah before
its actual arrival, will build a
Mikdash Meat as a preparation
for the descent of the true Beis
HaMikdash Hashlishi.
Now the truth is that Vaad
Lehafotzas Sichos had already
put out a small kuntres Hinei
Zeh Bo in 5751 in which was
collected a portion of the

Rebbe's Sichos regarding
the
Besuras
HaGeulah,
however the job was far from
completion the first reason
being that tens of sichos on
this subject had been said
following its printing.
Among the individuals who
recognized this necessity
was Rabbi Shmuel Chaim
Bluming of Crown Heights.
He went to Vaad Lehafotzas
Sichos and suggested they
print something to this effect.
The Vaad told Rabbi Bluming
this was a phenomenal idea
and that they would be happy
to print the work if he would
compile it.
At this point, the search
was started to seek out all
the Rebbes besuras of the
at-hand Redemption. Rabbi
Bluming sat down and learnt
extensively all the Sichos
which were said since the first
time that the Rebbe gave over
the announcement of higiah
zman geulaschemselecting
the parts from each of those
sichos which he thought
should go into the new
publication. He then sent his
work to the members of the
Vaad Lehafotzas Sichos, who
looked over and finalized the
groundwork laid by Rabbi
Bluming.
A question that remained,
however, was regarding
the title. Two suggestions
were brought up one being
Leshonos Hageulah, the
second
being
Besuras
Hageulah. Also in the air
was the subtitle which was to
be printed on the shar blaat.
Several options were thought
of: Melukat Misichos Kvod
Kedushas Admur shlita
or Melukat Mitoras Kvod
Kedushas ... or simply Meis

- of - the Rebbe. Both of these
decisions were brought before
the Rebbe during the midsummer of 5753. The Rebbe
chose the name Besuras
HeGeulah
Meis
Kvod
Kedushas Admur shlita.
This in effect had a lot of
meaning to it demonstrating
that the sefer is not simply a
likkut from the Rebbes sichos
regarding the Geulah; this
sefer is literally the Besuras
HaGeulah of the Rebbe!
In all of the Rebbes seforim,
at the end of the pesach dovor
includes a date. Throughout
the years the Rebbe would
choose the date for every
sefer and kuntres which was
put out by Kehos. For Besuras
HaGeulah the Rebbe chose
the date Rosh Chodesh Av
5753. It is interesting to note
that the Hayom Yom of this
day speaks exclusively about
Moshiach.
What is even more
interesting
is
when
considering the content of
the Hayom Yom there the
Rebbe writes: The distinctive
quality of Moshiach will be
humility. Even though he
will be on the highest level
and will teach Torah to the
Avos and Moshe Rabbeinu,
nevertheless he will possess
the ultimate humbleness
and self-annulment, and will
teach even simple people.
So too, Besuras HaGeulah
is based on the midrash
where Moshiach announces
his message to Bnei Yisroel
describing them as being
Anovim - the humble ones.
Some time passed following
the Rebbes approval of the
printing of the book and it had
still not been sent to print.
Hey Teves 5775 | 31
When Rabbi Bluming inquired

about this by the Vaad they
informed him that they wanted
this sefer to be the one to make a
total breakthrough in regards to
a concept often discussed in the
sichos of 5751-2 that being: the
identity of Moshiach.
For generations it was common
belief and simply obvious among
chassidim that the Rebbe of the
generation would be Moshiach
if the generation would merit
the Geulah. This subject was
even discussed on a number
of occasions by the Rebbe
throughout the years. Together
with the Rebbe emphasized that
this belief was to be kept lowkey so as not to distance people
from Chassidus. During the
Sichos of 5751-2 (many of which
quoted in Besuras HaGeulah)
the Rebbe spoke of the Geulah
as a process which had already
began to take place. Unlike in
previous generations the Nosi
HaDor was not merely the
potential Moshiach but rather
said that we were zoche that he
had already been revealed as
Moshiach. In numerous sichos in
a relatively short span of time the
Rebbe spoke passionately of this
fact, also mentioning on several
occasions the Gemorah that
Moshiach Menachem Shmoi3.
At this time the Rebbe received
enthusiastically the signatures of
Anash and Neshei Chabad being
mekabel the Rebbes Malchus
as Melech HaMoshiach and
gave permission for this to be
brought even to the chutza if
it deemed fit by the Lubavitch
institution on site4. During 5753
a great hisorerus was created
by the Rebbes (almost daily)
encouragement of Yechi until
it had come to a point that a
Photo: Baruch Ezagui

thought arose to print in a sefer

printed by the official Lubavitch
publishing
house,
Kehos,
Melech HaMoshiach on the
Rebbe.
During
Yemei
Haslichos
5753 the mazkir spoke to the
Rebbe regarding the printing of
Besuras HaGeulah. The mazkir
asked5 Melech HaMoshiach is
written in the forward. Does it
matter? The Rebbe indicated
that it did not. The mazkir then
asked, This is the first time
that a publication of Kehos has
officially written that the Rebbe
is Melech HaMoshiach. The
Rebbe doesnt mind? The Rebbe
again indicated in the negative.
The mazkir continued Then
may can continue to do so? The
Rebbe nodded his head, giving
his approval.
Besuras
Hageulah
was
quickly printed and released
during Aseres Yemei Teshuva
5754 bring the first Kehos
publication to include with the
Rebbes name the title .
Due to the Rebbes agreeance,
the next sefer that came out Sefer
Hasichos 5752 wrote Melech
HaMoshiach with the Rebbes
name and so too, many Kehos
seforim afterwards included this
newly crowned title.
Upon its release, Besuras
Hageulah was immediately
snatched up by Anash, temimim,
and shluchim. Yeshivahs and
shuls the world-over established
shiurim on the sefer and many
even made a custom to learn
a portion of it daily before
or following davening. After
Gimmel Tammuz 5754, several
known chassidim revealed that
the first thing they did when
they heard the news of what

transpired they went through
Besuras Hageulah from cover
to cover. They felt that at this
dark period dafka, when doubts
seemed to rise in holy Nevuah
of the Rebbe, it was important to
set things straight in their minds;
to strengthen their emunah in
and with the clear words of the
Rebbe.
Later, in 5756, the parts of
Besuras Hageulah which were
said in Yiddish were translated
into Hebrew. In connection to
this was the printing of a pocketsized edition. The Rebbe told
us6 that the derech hayeshorah,
the straightest, easiest, and
fastest way to bring Moshiach is
by learning Inyonei Moshiach.
Based on this, it has been said
when one uses the pocketsized Besuras Hageulah he
attains Uvelechtecho bderech
hayeshorah. After the Hebrew
translation was made, it was
printed in English in booklet
form week by week and
distributed among Anash. In
5758, a full English translation
was published under the subtitle The Announcement of the
Redemption.
To finish off, we will the
following anecdote explaining
the chiddush of the Rebbes
special request to add the part
of the midrash speaking of
Moshiach announcing to the
Yidden that the time of their
redemption has come.
The beginning of the midrash
plainly says that the year when
Moshiach will be revealed is
the year when certain events
will occur in the world. After
these battles and such occur,
Hashem will tell the Yidden their

redemption is here. If the year
goes by and Moshiach did not yet
openly come and involve himself
in these matters, than the worlds
events of that year were not
what the midrash was referring
to and the time of redemption
has not yet arrived rachmona
litzlan. But the sefer Besuras
HaGeulah tells us worry not!
In sicha after sicha the Rebbe
proves how the description in
the midrash did indeed occur
and in that very same year the
Rebbes sichos are replete with
the Besuras HaGeulah of Higia
zman Geulaschem! Following
this historic announcement - the
beginning of the Rebbes hisgalus
as Melech Hamoshiach may we
be zoche to the total hisgalus
with the Rebbe leading us out of
Golus immediately Amen kein
yehi ratzon!
1. See Sichas Shabbos Parshas

Balak 5751
2. In connection to this it is
worthy to note that Iyar 5751 a
second booklet of Likkutei Sichos
bInyonei Geulah uMoshiach was
prepared for print and given in to
the Rebbe for approval. Some nine
months later, on 3 Shvat 5752, the
Rebbe instructed that it be hastily
printed and that there be added to
the Likkutei Sichos a number of
sichos from 5752 which deal with
inyonei Moshiach (!)
3. Sanhedrin Daf 98, Omud 2.
4. In early Shvat, Rabbi Nachman
Meir
Bernhard,
shliach
in
Johannesburg, South Africa, asked
the Rebbe in a letter (free translation):
Everyone agrees 100% to the
above, we only hesitate on account
of our uncertainty that the Rebbe
is in favor of such activities. (In the
past, the Rebbe expressed his clear
opposition to such matters, saying

that they would distance Jews from
the study of Chassidus. But now
people are claiming that there are
indications that the situation has
changed; that now such activities are
indeed desirable). Therefore, I dare
ask - is the hour now appropriate for
" ..?"
Several days after Yud Shvat
the Rebbe answered: "
" .". On a
number occasions the Rebbe also
gave positive responses regarding
activities done in this direction. See
And He Will Redeem Us pg. 65-72
5. This testimony is recorded in
the Yoman Beis Moshiach 770
which was printed at the time.
6. Sichas Shabbos Parshas TazriahMetzorah 5751
Hey Teves 5775 | 33
hroughout history, Yidden have

been known as The People of
The Book. It is therefore no
wonder that Seforim have always been a
central part of Yiddishkeit, especially within
Chabad. A central part of the nesius of the
Chabad Rebbeim, starting from the Alter
Rebbe, was accumulating seforim for the
Chabad library. Today, the library of Agudas
Chassidei Chabad holds a staggering
Hey Teves 5775 | 35
250,000 seforim, including rare first

prints and special editions.
The significance of the library
goes back to the imprisonment
of the Alter Rebbe, in which the
government
confiscated
over
one hundred of the Alter Rebbes
Seforim to go through them and
ascertain whether he was plotting
against the Russian government.
These Seforim were returned
upon his release from prison. The
Alter Rebbe amassed hundreds of
Seforim, which, when considering
the situation in Russia at that time,
was quite a large collection. The
Alter Rebbes library was a seed
which would blossom into one of
the most unique libraries in the
Jewish world.
During the nesius of the Tzemach
Tzedek, the library's existence was
threatened. During this time period,
fires in Lubavitch were a common
occurrence. One such fire took its
toll on a large amount of Seforim,
damaging a portion of the library.
Each of the Rabbeim made
an innovation in the library and
undertook different methods of
organizing it. This was important,
especially considering the vast
spectrum of topics which it
contained.
The importance of the library is
emphasized by the attention the
Rebbeim showed to it. The library
played a great role in the history of
Chabad. It was treated like an only
child, with great love and care.
In the words of the Rebbe Rashab,
shortly before his Histalkus: ich
gei in Himmel, di kesavim loz ich
eich, (I am going to Heaven, but
the writings I leave for you), thus
highlighting even further the level
The matter was

no simple one
and it entailed
much hassle,
both physical and
spiritual, with
transportation
largely by horse
and buggy.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
of care the Rebbeim showed to the

Seforim.
The Move From Lubavitch

The year was 5674. Dark clouds
of war loomed over White Russia
as the bordering German army was
preparing to attack. Reports began
flooding in, and day by day the
horrible oppression of the German
army toward Jewish communities
became public knowledge.
In Tishrei 5676, as the situation
continued worsening with no end
in sight, the Rebbe Rashab made the
decision to move from Lubavitch to
the city of Rostov. The epicenter
of Chassidus Chabad for over one
hundred years would need to be left
behind. The matter was no simple
one and it entailed much hassle,
both physical and spiritual, with
transportation largely by horse and
buggy. This was added to the fact
that Russia was then a war-torn
country; World War I was at its
climax. All of this made the
transportation of the library,
especially considering
the size of the library, a nearly

impossible feat.
Around a month before the
planned departure, plans were
underway as to where to store the
library. A city nearby with a safe
storage house was needed, safe
from the invading army as well as
from natural causes such as water
and fire damages.
After much search they found
it, and the library was split into
two. The bulk of the library,
containing around 12,000 Seforim,
were packed into containers and
transferred by a special wagon to a
storage house located in Moscow,
owned by the famous Chossid and
gvir Reb Zalke Persitz, with the
intention to recover them as soon
as conditions permit. The second
part of the library was the collection
of Kisvei Yad so dearly cherished by
the Rebbeim, and 60 or so other
essential Seforim. This container
was to travel with the Rebbe Rashab
to Rostov on Sunday 16 Cheshvan
of that year.
Seforim
Proclaimed
Government Property
The following three years after
the move from Lubavitch, with the
First World War taking place, it
was impossible to get the Seforim
to Rostov. Rostov was controlled
by the Germans, and Moscow by
the Bolsheviks. Reb Zalke Persitz,
the owner of the above mentioned
storage house, suddenly became sick
and passed away in 5679, leaving all
his possessions to the government.
Soon after, on Beis Nissan 5680,
the Rebbe Rashab passed away,
with the Seforim still in the hands
of the Bolsheviks, leaving the job of
dealing with the government for the
Frierdiker Rebbe to take care of.
Many efforts were made by the
Frierdiker Rebbe to have the Seforim
returned. Letters were written to
different departments, and finally
permission was given.

However the fact that
the Seforim were stored
on a second floor and
weighed a lot made the
cost of the transportation
very high and therefore a
large sum of money was
needed for the transfer
to be made. Considering
the conditions of those
times, with a war torn
country and the hunger
so prevalent, the amount
needed was an impossible
one to raise.
Meanwhile the government
transferred the thirty five crates
of Seforim to the largest library
in Russia, at the time named the
Romnitzov library, (it was renamed
at a later date to the Lenin library)
making the release of the Seforim
all the more complicating.
A large part of the complications
were caused by a Librarian named
Shmuel Eizenshtat. Being a firm
Zionist, he desired to take revenge
on the Chabad dynasty, which
was known for their opposition
to Zionist beliefs. He went to the
department heads of the library
and persuaded them not to return
the library; the answer given to
the Frierdiker Rebbe from the
department heads was that it was
too much of a loss to return the
collection and that they had no
permission from the higher ups to
return the library.
situation of the library and

they wanted to help. The
response received from the
Frierdiker Rebbe on Yud
Bais Tammuz 5686 made
it official and the newly
created Bais Rebbi was now
an organization dedicated
to fight for the release of
the Seforim.
The letter reads:
finding ways to get everything the

Rebbe wanted done.
It didnt take long for this small
organization to become the
leading organization of the Rebbes
activities in America, meriting
hundreds of letters from the Rebbe
as well as exact instructions as to
how everything should be run. The
Agudah actually played a great role
in the release of the Rebbe from
prison in 5687.
Just a few short months after
its founding, the Agudah decided
to join the battle. They heard
of the great agmas nefesh the
Rebbe was having from the whole
Regarding
the
establishment
of
the
organization Bais Rebbi,
dedicated to retrieve the Rebbe
Rashabs Seforim, which were
taken by mistake (illegally) to one
of the librarys in Moscow. To such
feeling I give my full respect to all
those participating in it. For me
there is no doubt that they will
succeed, being that it is coming
from those which treasure the
Rabbeims memory.
Further on in the letter the
Frierdiker Rebbe instructs the
organisation to get people of
stature involved in the matter,
Agudas Hatmimim
It was Motzei Shabbos Parshas
Shemini, a group of bochurim got
together and established Agudas
Hatmimim and finally America
wouldn't be different. All those
who merited to learn in Lubavitch
would gather together once a
month and brainstorm together,
Hey Teves 5775 | 37
yad. The 12,000 stolen Seforim

would have to wait just a bit longer.
While in Poland, the Frierdiker
Rebbe didnt give up, and sent a
request to Reb Osher Rabinowitz,
living at the time in Boston, to
file requests by the american
government to put pressure on the
soviet government. Eventually it
made its way to the foreign minister
Mr. William Phillips. His answer
was short in coming:
thus bringing greater respect to the
whole case.
Many of the efforts by Bais Rebbi
are documented, telling the story
of a battle with no success, being
pushed away again and again by the
soviet regime.
Leaving Russia
Slowly but surely the new
government started issuing new
laws against Yiddishkeit and
eventually all public display of
religion were banned, resulting in
the start of the Chabad underground
movement which made their
priority that every city have a
cheder and mikvah together with all
the other necessities for a frum Yid.
The government soon caught on
and being that the Frierdiker Rebbe
was the one leading the way, on the
15th of Sivan 5687 he was arrested,
eventually leading to his expulsion
from Russian shores. Just before
leaving Russian soil the Frierdiker
Rebbe received permission to take
with him all the Seforim from the
Chabad dynasty of Rebbeim. This
fact demonstrated again that the
government never confiscated the
library. However the Frierdiker
Rebbe was forced to leave taking
with him only the valuable kisvei
As you no doubt realize, in view

of the fact that Rabbi Schneerson is
not a citizen of the United States,
this government is not in a position
to take any formal steps to induce
the soviet government to return to
him the books and documents in
question.
For the next five decades in
which contact with the Russian
government was lost, doubts
kept coming up as to the librarys
existence at all, and in all practicality
there did no seem to be any hope of
getting them back.
First Impressions
Finally he found it; he found
something that would bring some
joy to the Rebbe. It was 5741 and
Rabbi Berel Levin was working on
finding something that would truly
interest the Rebbe to compliment
the Mishlaoch Manos he was
planning on sending to the Rebbe.
And then he got it. He had recently
spoken with Chaim Lieberman the
librarian of the Frierdiker Rebbes
library, and he mentioned that
he had a catalog with a list of all

the Seforim found in the Rebbe
Rashabs library, it was written a
little while before the Rebbe Rashab
left Lubavitch for Rostov.
Later on that year, the Rebbe sent
an urgent message to Reb Shlomo
Cunin, head Shliach to California,
to make contact with the famed
tycoons Mr. Jerry Weintraub and
Mr. Armand Hammer, to use their
connections with the Kremlin
influencing them to return the
library to Lubavitch.
From there it was a long and
complicating journey. The Kremlin
claimed they didn't have the
Seforim. Even after a list of the
Seforim that were in the Rebbe
Rashabs library was sent to the
Kremlin the Kremlin replied that
no collection of the sort is known
to them.
The truth is, that at that point no
one was sure of the current state of
the library. The list of things that
could have happened to it was a
long one, with strong suspicions
being that the Seforim were taken
to the library of the Yevisetzkia.
If that was the case, a bulk of the
Seforim in this library would have
been destroyed by the Nazis yms
during the Second World War.
Its therefore no wonder the
excitement of Reb Yosef Friedman
who, on a visit to Russia, confirmed
that 12 of the Seforim which Reb
Berel Levi had asked him to check
were listed in a catalog of the
Lenin library, which meant that the
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
The Kremlin claimed they didn't have the Seforim. Even

after a list of the Seforim that were in the Rebbe Rashabs
library was sent to the Kremlin the Kremlin replied
that no collection of the sort is known to them.
Seforim were never taken by the

Yevisetzkia making the possibility
of the librarys existence rise
steeply.
Preparations Start
It was the beginning of Kislev
5748, when the Rebbe requested a
group to be sent to Russia. Their
job was to find the exact location of
the library, and then put pressure
for them to be released. The group
comprised of three Chassidim, each
a master in his field, specifically
chosen for this special Shlichus.
Preparations were quickly made,
getting everything in place. Visas
had to be made and the lists of the
known Seforim had to be prepared,
together with the other technical
details of the trip. A date was then
set for their departure - Sunday
Chof Teves.
About a week before taking
leave on his mission, Reb Berel
Levin wrote a letter to the Rebbe
asking to verify the whole itinerary,
including in it a detailed outline
of the upcoming trip. The Rebbe
made many changes on the letter
and added quite a few things ( - see
sidebar), giving them an extra Koch
in their Shlichus.
The Rebbe Makes It Public

It was just a few short days before
the fourth Siyum Harambam,
Shabbos Parshas Shemos 5748.
That Shabbos afternoon, the Rebbe
Farbrenged. After a few Sichos
concerning the upcoming siyum,
the Rebbe said a Sicha which left
everyone shocked. Other than the
few individuals involved, there
was hardly anybody who knew
that there existed a library that
belonged to the Rebbe Rashab that
was being held in Russian hands.
So its no wonder to the shock of all
present when they heard the Rebbe
saying these words:
Being that Parshas Shemos is

all about Geulah, its understood
that today theres a special
nesinas koach to do the mitzvah
of pidyon shevuyim.
Now, pidyon shevuyim doesnt
just apply when Yidden being
held in gentile hands, rather
even when it comes to property
of yidden, we are commanded
to do this mitzvah, all the more
so when speaking of Seforim
belonging to Tzadikim.
This being the case, when one
hears that there are Chafeitzim,
Seforim and Kisvei Yad from a
nasi byisroel that are in Galus
one must do all he can to have
them returned to their rightful
place.
Effort in this project must come
from everyone who hears that

there is such a situation, as the
Baal Shem Tov teaches that when
one sees or hears something
he must take a lesson from it to
apply to his Avodas Hashem.
Yet there are differences as to
the way of going about releasing
the Seforim. Some must have a
direct effect and some must do
their part by saying Tehillim and
giving Tzedaka.
The Rebbe then went on to praise
the Shluchim being sent to retrieve
the Seforim and how they are given
special kochos to do their Shlichus,
and can make decisions on their
own, being that they have kochos
from the Rebbe also for that. The
Rebbe elaborated this point with a
story told of the Tzemach Tzedek,
who once sent one of his Chassidim
During the weeks leading up to the planned Shlichus, Rabbi Berel

Levin wrote quite a few times to the Rebbe. Here are a few of them:
Rabbi Levin wrote: There is a certain professor who claims that
there are seforim in Leningrad, should we rely on what he said and
check there.
The Rebbe answered: Just because of that [your uncertainty] you
wont check there?
Rabbi Levin wrote: If we cant locate the Seforim in Leningrad, we
will check in Kiev and Minsk.
The Rebbe wrote: Regardless [you should check in these cities, even
if something is found in Leningrad].
Rabbi Levin wrote: If we are having difficulties locating the
seforim, we will contact Hendel Deitsh to help us.
The Rebbe wrote: Regardless [you should contact him for his help].
Rabbi Levin wrote: During our searches we will try to locate the
files detailing the Mitteler Rebbes imprisonment.
The Rebbe wrote: Also look for the files on the Alter Rebbe and
Tzemach Tzedeks imprisonments.
In response to many other doubts Rabbi Levin had, the Rebbe
wondered: It seems that his (Rabbi Levin's) plan is, when in doubt, to
just leave the seforim there!
Hey Teves 5775 | 39
to Petersburg on a certain mission.

When questioned how he could
trust the Chossid who will be
making his own decisions without
asking the Tzemach Tzedek, the
Tzemach Tzedek replied that the
Chossid can be relied on, being
that he is given all that is needed
to achieve his Shlichus including
the ability to come to the right
conclusions on his own.
Following the Sicha the Rebbe
told the three Shluchim - Reb
Shlomo Cunin, Reb Berel Levin
and Reb Nissan Mindel - to say
Lchaim, and eventually ended the
Farbrengen on a very happy note.
After the chazzan sang Sheyibone,
everyone joined in the singing led
by the Rebbe clapping his hands.
The Rebbe suddenly stood up and
danced with such joy. This lasted
more than ten minutes, until the
end of this special Farbrengen.
Following the Farbrengen, Rabbi
Berel Levin thought to himself

how he heard the Rebbe mention
that there were also chafeitzim
in Russia. He wrote to the Rebbe
asking if this was a horaah to look
for chafeitzim. The Rebbes answer
was an interesting one: If there is
no concern that this will lessen
the strength of their request
regarding the other things then
it's appropriate [to look into].
Bochurim React
As usual, Bochurim were
amongst the first to take the Rebbes
words to heart. A few bochurim got
together and formed a committee
to encourage everyone to do as the
Rebbe said in the Sicha, namely that
those who are not directly involved
in the Seforim's release, should
help by saying Tehillim.minyonei
Tehilim were arranged daily after
the Rebbes minyan, followed by
everyone giving Tzedaka. Faxes
were sent out to all Yeshivos and
Chabad
centers
urging
everyone to join this new
project. The Rebbes
response to this peulah was one

totally unexpected, in total there
were 6 responses (a very unusual
measure of attention) given
regarding this project.
The First Mission

The trip was scheduled to start
on Chof Teves 5748. On the day of
the planned departure the Rebbe
requested them to come to gan
eden haelyon twice and gave them
a brocho. The first time the Rebbe
emphasized how they must stay
together as a group and therefore
didnt give each of them money to
give to tzedakah separately but gave
three times chai dollars for all of
them.
The words the Rebbe told
them the second time were very
interesting and actually ended up
helping them in their Shlichus.
The Rebbe told them: today is the
Rambam's histalkus and coming
up is the Alter Rebbes histalkus,
they will both work with you.
Rabbi Shlomo Cunin said and
certainly the Rebbe will also be

with us, the Rebbe smiled or said
Amen. Once during their Shlichus
they met with a high government
official, trying to get him to write
a letter how the Seforim must be
returned to the Rebbe, at a certain
point they realised they weren't
getting anywhere, so when the
official walked out for a minute
Reb Shlomo Cunin suggested that
they sing the Alter Rebbes Niggun,
being that the Rebbe had said that
the alter Rebbe will go with them.
Upon his return to the room he
exclaimed out loud in amazement
how he never heard anything like
this and immediately wrote out the
letter they wanted from him.
After landing in Russia the group
arranged meetings with the heads
of the library, through Mr. Hammer.
The first meeting was scheduled
for Chof Daled Teves - the Alter
Rebbe's Yahrzeit. Immediately
upon starting the meeting Reb
Shlomo Cunin started to explain
what type of special day the day
is, and therefore its a very good
time to return the Seforim etc. The
minister was very emotional after
hearing a speech by Reb Shlomo
Cunin with his firm and genuine
manner. Trying to help them he
told them to look at the catalog and
try to identify as many Seforim as
they can. From there the next steps
would be taken.
Following the minister's advice
they went to the library. After
checking catalogs and identifying
some Seforim which looked like
they were part of the collection,
they requested to look at them.
After an half an hour wait, filled
with much anticipation, they
finally got them. Right away Rabbi
Berel Levin, the expert on these
matters, took one of the Seforim
and found inside the Frierdiker
Rebbe's handwriting. Their joy
Rabbi Shlomo
Cunin said and
certainly the
Rebbe will also
be with us, the
Rebbe smiled or
said Amen.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
knew no bounds. We are taking

all the Seforim straight to 770 and
Moshiach is here was their first
exclamation.
Little did they know that it would
be a long way. The Russians weren't
hurrying anywhere, and after about
a month of working on the Seforim,
the government told them it would
take a little while. Meanwhile they
should return to their homes, and
in the near future the Seforim
would be back. This was towards
the end of Shevat 5748.
Chernobyl who were badly affected

from the nuclear explosion which
was set off in their city. Rabbi Yosef
Yitzchak Aronov who headed the
operation with Rabbi Yitzchak
Kogen, came with a lawyer named
Devorah Rachel Eric. She proved
extremely valuable in getting the
right papers for the children to
leave Russia.
Rabbi Aronov, knowing of the
great importance the Rebbe gave to
the Seforim, asked her if she would
be willing to get involved. Upon
receiving her positive response he
wrote in to the Rebbe about it, to
which the Rebbe replied that he
should consult Reb Shlomo Cunin.
When Reb Shlomo heard of the
opportunity he grabbed it and
asked Rabbi Berel Levin if he would
join. When he agreed, they wrote to
the Rebbe and they were instructed
to go. When Reb Berel Levin asked
whether to go by himself at a later
date the Rebbe objected explaining
that by going immediately it will
add to the success of the Shlichus.
The first Shabbos that they
were
on
A short while after their

return home, the Russian
government
fired
the
minister who was presiding
over the case, automatically
demolishing all of their
efforts.
During the next few
years efforts were made
through Mr. Hammer and
Mr. Weintraub, all ending
futility.
The Second Mission

After a long aggravating
delay, a new light broke
through; at that point
Lubavitch was running
the rescue operation
for the children from
Hey Teves 5775 | 41
them that it would

flow like water.
Shlichus, Yud Daled Kislev 5751,

the Rebbe came down to Farbreng,
celebrating 62 years since the
Rebbes chassunah. It was Parshas
Vayishlach and immediately in
the first Sicha the Rebbe spoke
about the Shlichus, mentioning
how the Seforim can even be
redeemed on Shabbos being that
there were goyim involved. After
the Sicha everyone began singing
Didan Notzach, followed by a very
memorable Farbrengen.
To say that the Shlichus was hard
is an understatement. To try and
describe what sort of conflicting
emotions they experienced during
their year on Shlichus is practically
impossible.
Right from the start of their
Shlichus they were sure that,
another day or two and the
whole story was over with, all the
department heads and government
officials they spoke with assured
It came to a point
that they realized
that
werent
getting anywhere.
Just
yesterday
they were being
told that they
were getting back
the Seforim right
away; they even
had a set day when
the Seforim would
get returned Yud Tes Kislev.
They prepared a
present to give to
the prime minister
Boris
Yeltsin
upon
receiving
the Seforim and a beautiful
silver menorah was given to his
security to get checked. Finally
the long awaited day came and
unfortunately after wishing them
a Gut Yom Tov for their new year,
it eventually became clear that
he wasnt planning on giving the
Seforim back claiming that it wasn't
up to him and permission must be
given by other officials.
They brought their case to the
highest government echelons. It
was success that nobody would have
ever imaged in their wildest dreams
that such a small case would catch
the attention of officers of such
standards. At that point everyone
was sure that there was no way the
story could stretch too much longer.
But the Russians managed to
surprise them again by saying they
needed just another few documents.
By now they were familiar with the
ongoing excuses.
After about two months of doing
everything they could they
were at a loss as to how to go
about further actions
and Rabbi Berel Levin wrote in

to the Rebbe asking what should
be their plan of action. When Reb
Leibel Groner asked the Rebbe
their question, the Rebbe answered
that they must have true bitochon
that they will come back with the
Seforim. The Rebbe then asked do
they have true bitochon to which
Rabbi Groner answered that from
the updates he received from them
it seems that they do.
After such a strong response
from the Rebbe they realized that
they must find new ways of getting
the Seforim back. After much
brainstorming they came to a
conclusion that instead of working
in the Russian government itself
it would be better to put pressure
on the Russians from foreign
governments.
First the other world power
was approached America. The
feedback was so unimaginable, such
big impact was made, that it came
to a point where there was never
a meeting between the leaders of
America and Russia that the topic
of the Seforim wasnt brought
up. At practically each meeting
between the two superpowers there
was a firm demand for the Seforims
release.
After seeing that this did not
work either, they decided to work
through the senate. Rabbi Shlomo
Cunin went to Washington with
his six sons and something which
no one would ever imagined
happened: Not only did 80 out
of the 100 senators agreed that
the Seforim belong to Lubavitch
and they must be returned, all 80
senators put themselves totally into
it, writing letter after letter putting
pressure on the Russians to release
the Seforim.
If that was not enough, Rabbi
Faivish Vogel and his son in law
The concept of the Seforims return as an

important part of the preparations for Moshiachs
arrival, can be traced back to as early as 5722. This
was well before the major Moshiach campaigns
the Rebbe started in the 5740s, but still the Rebbe
emphasized that the return of the Seforim is all in
order to hasten Moshiachs coming.
It was during a Yud Gimmel Tammuz Farbrengen.
The Rebbe quoted a pasuk in Yeshaya describing
the way Hashem will gather all the Yidden from all
corners of the world. When the pasuk describes the
Yidden being gathered from the tzafon the pasuk
emphasizes that the tzafon will help the Yidden go
to Yerushalayim. The Rebbe explained that tzafon
refers to the reshaim and the klipos and implies that
when Moshiach will come, not only will those who
opposed Yiddishkeit not disturb the whole process,
rather they will even help.
The Rebbe continued and said: Being that we find
ourselves right at the end of Golus, when events
happening now must be very similar to those which
will happen when Moshiach will come, we must
find in our generation miracles of this sort, where
the enemy itself helped out the Yidden.
Where do we find such happenings, we needn't
look too far, said the Rebbe. On Yud Beis Tammuz
5687 when the Frierdiker Rebbe was released
from jail we clearly saw how those who before
were considered the enemy, ended up helping the
Frierdiker Rebbe.
Its well known that before the Frierdiker Rebbe
left Russia, the government tried to detain his
collection of valuable Seforim and kisvei yad,
and keep them in Russian hands. The Rebbe said
that there is no way that he is leaving Russian soil
without the Seforim in hand. Upon hearing this
the government gave in, immediately stamping
all the crates carrying the Seforim with a special
permission that they could be exported from
Russia.
This, the Rebbe concluded, is an example where
those opposing eventually came to our aid.
Based on this approach the Rebbe always made a
strong point that everything must be done with the
approval of the Russian government, being that this
is a preparation for Moshiachs immediate arrival.
When taking a look in the sichos in which the
Rebbe spoke of the importance of redeeming the
sforim, one can see clearly, its all about Moshiach.
Rabbi Yonah Pruss got the

government of the UK to join
the battle by demanding the
Russians for the Seforim to be
returned.
In Italy, Rabbi Gershon
Mendel Garelik put himself
into the project completely,
until it came to a point when
the secretary of the Italian
ambassador to Russia called
up the office of the four
Shluchim asking them for
an update of the situation of
the Seforim. Later on they
found out that the reason for
this request was because the
prime minister Boris Yeltsin
was traveling to Italy and
while being there the Italian
government demanded the
Seforim be released.
Who would have ever
imagined that the government,
whose relationship with Eretz
Yisroel wasnt the greatest,
nevertheless when it came
to the Seforim were leading
the battle. But unfortunately
all this didnt help and the
Russians were still finding
excuses why the Seforim
werent able to be returned.
Eventually Pesach came
around, and they asked the
Rebbe if they can return
to their homes for Pesach.
The Rebbe answered that
they should stay, meaning
that leaving will lessen
the chance of the Seforim
coming back. That Pesach a
newspaper wrote an entire
article advocating against
the Seforims release and
thanks to the Rebbe they
were there to make a quick
response. Thinking maybe
one or two newspapers would
print their response and a
television channel might
broadcast the story it was very

surprising that there wasnt
one newspaper in the entire
Russia that didn't write about
it. Every TV channel had a full
show regarding it, although
a few were quite negative.
Eventually there were news
reports around the world
written about the Seforim.
Then came the revolution,
it was summer 5751 and the
communist regime was now
officially over with, the whole
country was overturned. Then
the Rebbe made it clear that
the revolution happened in
order that the Seforim be
returned! Everyone hoped
that finally this would bring
the story to an end but it looks
like Moshiach wasnt ready to
come yet.
After a long and hard
trenching stay in Russia, Rabbi
Berel Levin returned home for
Shavuos 5752, and since then
until today many different
methods are being used for
the Seforim to be returned.
It is our firm hope and belief
that even before this article
goes to print the Seforim will
be with us once again, with the
coming of Moshiach now.
Hey Teves 5775 | 43
Moshiach
Weekly:
Rabbi Avtzon can you
please begin by explaining
to us, why and when
Sichos in English came to
be?
Rabbi Avtzon: Sichos in
English was started in Elul
of 5737, by Rabbi Dovid
Lieb Grossbaum, myself
and a few others. We felt that
although there was great work
being done in hafotzah, there
was still a large crowd of English
speaking professionals that were
not being reached. Translating
sichos in English would also
enable baaly teshuvah who
struggle with Hebrew text, to
learn the Rebbe's Torah.
MW: What was your first
initiative?
RA: At the time we started by
translating and publishing the
sichos from that year in English.
Our first Sicha was Rosh
Chodesh Elul 5737. By the end
of the next year we had enough
content to put out the first Sefer,
which contained the Sichos
of 5738. We titled the book
Likkutei Sichos just like its
Yiddish/Hebrew counterpart.
We continued translating the
Sichos through the next couple
years releasing out up to 3
volumes a year. Later in 5742
we started printing the Sichos
in an essay format which was
more conducive for the more
intellectual field who were our
main target.
translated, even those

translated were still not
fully ready for print.
MW: We see today that SIE

has many books translating
Maamorim of the Frierdiker
Rebbe and Rebbe Rashab as
well, what was the first one of
those Seforim printed?
RA: In the year 5742 we
asked the Rebbe if we can
translate Likkutei Dibburim
into English, the Rebbe replied
in the affirmative however
stressed the care we must take
in this project, not to add any
of our own explanations
rather just translate the words
and add mareh mekomos. The
first volume however was only
released in 5747 with the full
series completed in 5754.
Already
earlier
however,
around Yud Shevat 5746
Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky told the
Rebbe that we have the Sefer
Hamamarim Yiddish of the
Frierdiker Rebbe translated
and ready for print - and asked
for the green light to publish it.
The Rebbes reply was yes and
it should come out in honor of
the 15th of Shevat, under Kehos.
When Rabbi Krinsky related
this to me we realized his
great mistake not only was less
than half of the 53 mamarim
Obviously
as
each
Chossid knows when the
Rebbe says something
you do it, so I literally
moved into empire press
for a couple of days due
to it being 5746, when
computers were not readily
available and the Rebbe had a
copy already by Yud Beis Shevat
- just a few days later.
MW: We are sure that as
a director of a moised you
received direction and many
maanos from the Rebbe - are
you able to please share a few of
those encounters with us?
RA: In the year 5750 we
wanted to translate the Rebbes
and the Frierdiker Rebbes
mammorim of Basi Legani
(from the years 5711 and 5710
respectively) and put them in
one kovetz. We felt that this was
an ideal time being that it was
the forty year anniversary of
the Rebbes nesius. At that time
many people thought this was
an outlandish idea due to the
fact that we would be printing
Chassidus of two Rabbeim
together in one Sefer, something
unheard of at that time.
Due to this being such a
foreign concept no one from
the mazkirus wanted to hand
in the note suggesting the idea.
In the end through one of the
mashbakim it was given in to
Hey Teves 5775 | 45
the Rebbe. The answer we got was

that we should go ahead with the
publication. When the Sefer finally
came out I went by the Rebbe for
dollars and presented it to the
Rebbe.
There is also another very
interesting story that happened
when
Neshei
Chabad
was
celebrating their twenty fifth
anniversary. To mark the occasion,
they wanted to publish all the
letters they received from the
Rebbe, in one book. Each letter that
was sent to them was in English
and Hebrew, so the book was to be
one side Hebrew and the other side
English. However while collecting
the letters they realized they were
missing the English half of a letter,
from one of the earlier years. They
asked the Rebbe what to do and the
answer was to have SIE translate
it - which we readily did. Although
the letter was never looked over by
the Rebbe it still bore the Kehos
logo, something then reserved only
for edited Seforim.
MW: When did SIE first have the
idea to publish Seforim on inyonei
Geulah UMoshiach?
RA: The first time which we
brought up the idea of making
a Sefer on inyonei Geulah
UMoshiach was in 5746. Rabbi
We felt that
although
there was
great work
being done
in Hafotzah,
there was still
a large crowd
of English
speaking
professionals
that were
not being
reached.
//////////////////////////////////////////
Alter Eliyahu Friedman of Tzfas

was putting together a Likut on
inyani Geulah UMoshiach (which
would later become the book titled
From Exile to Redemption).We
then wrote into the Rebbe our idea
to print such a Sefer. In response to
this, we received a very shocking
and sharp answer from the Rebbe
which consisted of three points: 1)

this will only make those who are
already at odds with Lubavitch to
be angrier.
2) This will cause those which
you want to bring closer to move
further.
3) For Anash there is no need
to make it easier for them by
compiling everything into one
Sefer. Now this was very surprising
for us due to the fact that the Rebbe
just gave permission to print Sefer
Halikutiem.
We were then notified by
mazkiros that it seemed, that
despite the sharp maane we should
continue working, assuming it was
only a matter of time till the Rebbe
would give permission to print it.
We then hired Rabbi Friedman to
continue compiling material for
the Sefer, hoping that one day it
will come to print.
MW: As we all know that there
are indeed many beautiful books
and articles written on inyonei
Geulah UMoshiach, including the
Sefer of Migolah Legeulah - From
Exile to Redemption, from SIE,
why then and when did this shift
take place, after such a answer
from the Rebbe.
RA: At the turn of the decade

the Rebbe began to koch in
Moshiach on a totally new level.
Starting with the Gulf War
the Rebbe began to tell us the
special times we find ourselves
in and how close we are to the
coming of Geulah. On Chof
Ches Nissan 5751 the Rebbe
gave over to the Chassidim the
responsibility to do everything
they could to bring the Geulah.
In the coming weeks the Rebbe
emphasized time and again,
starting Shabbos Tazria Metzora 5751 that the derech
hayisharah to bring Moshiach
is through learning about it. We
then decided that the time was
right to again ask the Rebbe if
we should go ahead and print
the Sefer of Migolah LGeulah
(from exile to redemption). At
that point Rabbi Friedman had
an abundance of information in
order to put out the Sefer. After
Shabbos Tazria - Metzora Rabbi
Krinsky gave the Sefer to the
Rebbe. It was still not in typeset.
On the following Monday Rabbi
Leibel Groner went into the
Rebbes office twenty minutes
before Mincha as was his usual
Seder. When Rabbi Groner
walked in, the Sefer was lying
on the Rebbes desk, his first
reaction was to take back the
Sefer based on the answer the

Rebbe gave seven years earlier.
To his surprise for the next
twenty minutes the Rebbe went
through every single page! The
Rebbe then looked up from the
Sefer and said es iz a glieeche
zach es ken aroisgien (it is a
proper thing it can go out).
Right away we started printing
and distributing the Sefer in
pamphlets as each part was
completely ready.
The book came out in the
original Hebrew and translation
in English. At that point we
also sent into the Rebbe a note
regarding the translated edition,
hoping it was goram nachas
ruach to the Rebbe, the Rebbes
answer was, goram nachas
ruach rav and I will mention
it at the resting place of my
father in law. Also in Cheshven
5752 when the complete Sefer
came out, the Rebbe answered
I received (your tzetel), tshuas
chien, I will mention at the
resting place (of my father in
law) and the time is suitable. '
'" " " .
From Exile To Redemption
MW: What where other

Peulas in inyonei Geulah
UMoshiach?
RA: From that point that on we
The Rebbes approval to print the Sefer
Hey Teves 5775 | 47
went full steam ahead, printing ten

Seforim in the first year. Another
Inyonei Geulah UMoshiach
book we translated was titled,
I Await His Coming. This Sefer
was a translation of the four Dvar
Malchus sichos on inyonei Geulah
UMoshiach focusing specifically
on the last two chapters of the
Rambam (which discuss Melech
HaMoshiach) which the Rebbe
distributed on Yud Gimmel Iyar
5751. We included in this Sefer a
translation of the two chapters of
Rambam as well.
We also started putting the
weekly Sichos of 5751-2 into
essay format on the topics of
Moshiach, later forming the book
titled the Sound of the Great
Shofar. The essay titled The
French Revolution based off the
sicha of Shabbos Vayeishev 5752
was also translated into French.
Rabbi Imanuel Shochat OBM
put out a very successful Sefer
on Moshiach. This Sefer was
particularly popular translated
into over ten languages with tens
of thousands of copies printed
in each language - reaching
I literally
moved into
empire
press for a
couple of
days due
to it being
5746, when
computers
were not
readily
available
//////////////////////////////////////////
extremely secular crowds.

Many of the other books were
also translated to other languages
making the Moshiach message
much more widespread.
MW: It is clear that the main
focus of SIE was the adult crowd

and primarily professionals,
were there however any books
published by SIE specifically for
children?
RA: Indeed, we felt it was
necessary to make a childrens
book about Moshiach, thereby
strengthening the Moshiach
chinuch given over to the young.
We therefore published a book
Nechama and Mendel Get
Ready for Moshiach with great
illustration this book became
a favorite in every chassidishe
house and is much loved by all
children.
MW: Thank you Rabbi Avtzon
for giving off from your busy
schedule to speak to us, we are
sure that with the aid of your
books on topics of Geulah and
Moshiach, which the Rebbe said
is the derech hayeshara to hasten
his arrival, we will very soon
merit to the hisgalus of the Rebbe
Melech HaMoshiach.
A list of 16 books on the topics

of Geulah and Moshiach
published by Sichos in English:
Migolah Ligeulah,Mashiach,
Seek Out the Welfare of
Jerusalem, Anticipating the
Redemption - 2 volumes, As
a New Day Breaks, From
Dawn to Daylight, From Exile
to Redemption - 2 volumes,
Highlights of Moshiach, I Await
His Coming Every Day, Lets Get
Ready, Nechama and Mendel
Get Ready for Moshiach, Sound
the Great Shofar, I Will Show
You Wonders, To Live and Live
Again.
///
Daloy Golus
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Maaloson
Shel Yisroel
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Shabbos Parshas Vayechi - 5751
t was the winter of 5751, when Iraq was in a war

with the Arabian country of Kuwait. The entire
world was in turmoil. Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi
dictator, threatened to use chemical warfare against
Eretz Yisroel.
to say the Sicha as usual on fast days. When the minyan

reached avinu malkeinu, the Rebbe motioned to repeat
the Niggun three times, an unusual occurrence. This
already somewhat prepared the Chassidim for what was
about to happen next.
As the Jews residing in the holy land began to panic, the

Rebbe came out with a reassurance: Eretz Yisroel is the
safest place in the world, theres no need to worry. The
current events are only a actualization of the prophecy
foretold in the Midrash: " . .
. . . .
. .
. . " .
In the hour-lasting Sicha following Mincha, the Rebbe

went on to praise Am Yisroel; how could one say, that the
sins of the Jews should postpone the Geulah (chv)?!
During this period, there was a certain individual

living in Bnei Brak, who stood up in public and said
that horrifying things are about to happen in the Jewish
world. Since there are many Jews, who are not shomrei
Torah UMitzvos he said our generation will not merit
the Geulah. In fact, there will be mass destruction, as a
second Holocaust RL stands to befall the Jewish people,
similar to the first Holocaust which came as a result of
the many sins in that generation.
Unfortunately, his words were publicized in the media,
which only added to the distress of the Jewish population.
As always, the Rebbe, being a true oheiv Yisroel, got up to
defend the Jewish nation. On Asarah BTeves, the Rebbe
entered the downstairs shul of 770 to Daven Mincha, and
At the Shabbos Farbrengens the following three

weeks (Vayechi, Shemos, Vaera), the Rebbe said a Sicha
expounding on Maaloson Shel Yisroel. The Rebbe
explained, that aside for describing Hashem as someone
who is waiting for the bucket to slowly fill with aveiros
to punish Am Yisroel being counter productive - it is
simply the opposite of truth and contrary to the honor of
Hashem and the honor of Am Yisroel!
Furthermore, such speech is forbidden, as Chazal tell us
not to open our mouth to the Satan. From this we see, that
if one will speak in the good of Yidden, how much it can
have an effect on Hashem to accept these words. Being
so, we must be melamed zechus on Yidden, determining
that they indeed deserve the Geulah right now.
As for the upcoming catastrophe in Eretz Yisroel, the
Rebbe assured, that there won't be another holocaust
chas v'sholom. Rather the occurrences happening now,
are the works of Hashem in preparation for the Geulah:
"... ,!"
Hey Teves 5775 | 49
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Check out our website: WWW.MOSHIACHWEEKLY.COM

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. . .

Hey Teves, Not Just a Day

A Step Towards Geulah

The French Revolution

The Rebbe's Library

A Child's Yearn for the Geulah

The Small Sefer That Is So

Behind the Publishing House

Ma'aloson Shel Yisroel

Shabbos Parshas Vayechi - 5751

Throughout the generations, Chassidim in

vhoemuna. The Rebbe then asked: why are we

In the letter which the Rebbe wrote back, the

More importantly: the importance of publicizing

We see that already before the nesius, the Rebbes

Seemingly a Chossid can claim that he was taught

The Midas Hachesed had then complained to

To subscribe or dedicate an issue,

Graphics and Design:

256 Kingston Ave,

Aha! That hints to the time of Moshiach!

Therefore from the Mishkan of which we

If this is so by each encounter of ones life,

The Rebbe elaborated on this that in earlier

At first glance however, when looking at

Therefore now, in dor hashvii standing on

We are holding at the stage in Avodah where all we have

doubts can arise in his mind if he is really capable of

Each Chossid is eager and willing to fulfill his Shlichus.

Hey Teves 5775 | 5

s all Yemei Hageulah, the

in that period, the Rebbe got very

the Rebbes leadership.

At first glance, when

The discernable pain that was felt

inactive. The Rebbe then instructed

requests to be fulfilled, and said

Maamer the Rebbe explains that

Simcha is tied into what Chazal say

Many felt that the Rebbes

Bochurim were so sure that

The Psak Din which was

And indeed it came! Hey Teves in

In the Sicha of Hey Teves,

which Hashem tells Yaakov avinu

Seemingly the dispute was non

expectations were high. This would

that we find ourselves now in a

Leil Shabbos when the Rebbe

Hey Teves 5775 | 9

entrance to the Rebbes room, in

already have the great riches of of

but that they must be channeled

After the all the Farbrenging and

Upon receiving the Psak, the

dancing the Bochurim returned

these words of "imdu hochein

The sale Kehos made, which lasted

1. Later from Tishrei 5750 the Rebbe

occasion, a day when a heavy

Hey Teves 5775 | 11

t was just a few days before

The Rebbe began the Farbrengen,

assault on Austria. It was with the