Jewish communities around the world marked the fifth day of the Hebrew month of Tevet Thursday with Chasidic gatherings extolling the spiritual significance of a favorable 1987 federal court ruling regarding the ownership of the priceless library of the Sixth Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, of righteous memory.

The ruling, which affirmed that control of the library rested with Agudas Chasidei Chabad, the umbrella organization of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, was based on the principle that a Rebbe is not a private individual, but a communal figure synonymous with the body of Chasidim.

The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, urged that the day be used to increase in Torah study, as well as to acquire new Torah books. …