Dear readers,

This Friday is the 10th of Shevat, a special day on our calendar.

In the winter of 1950 the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, of righteous memory, released a chassidic discourse, Basi Legani, “I have come to my garden,” defining our purpose in this world. He distributed it to be studied on the 10th day of Shevat, which marked the anniversary of his grandmother’s passing. On that very day, his holy soul ascended heavenward.

Every year, in honor of the yahrtzeit, the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, who had assumed leadership of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, would expound upon a different chapter of the original discourse penned by his predecessor. As time went on, it became increasingly clear that the topics addressed defined the Rebbe’s leadership.

We customarily study Basi Legani at this time of year. Its theme centers around a world which on the surface is inhospitable to its Creator, but through our efforts becomes a beautiful “garden”—a place that G‑d is delighted to inhabit.

In this week’s magazine, we are featuring a video class on this discourse. Please join us in studying and applying its rich lessons to our lives, so that together we can create a better, more meaningful and more G‑dly world.

The Chabad.org Editorial Team