This sefer contains the concluding sichos of 5750, a year which the Rebbe Shlita described as “a year of miracles.” Indeed, in the concluding sichos of that year, the Rebbe points out several of the miraculous elements of the year including the collapse of the Communist regimes of Eastern Europe and the freedom granted Russian Jews to emigrate to Eretz Yisrael.

Similarly, in those sichos, the Rebbe Shlita describes the unique nature of the present year, 5751, a year when “I will show you wonders.” As early as Shabbos Parshas Re’eh, he made reference to the Yalkut Shimoni’s prophetic description of a conflict in the Persian Gulf which would grip the entire world with panic and consternation. Thus, we see a fusion of the timely and the timeless, an overview of the movement of contemporary events as they are seen by the eyes of Torah.

In particular, this volume begins with sichos reflecting the preparations for the holiday of Shavuos, “the season of the giving of our Torah.” Several of those sichos dealt with the theme “A Woman’s Place in Torah,” and they were collected into an essay with that title. Also, it was on Shavuos, that the Rebbe Shlita mentioned a new campaign, that each person — man, woman, and child — should himself lead a communal session of Torah study. The ideas motivating this campaign were expressed in the essay, “Each Jew — A Student and a Teacher of Torah.”

On the Shabbasos throughout the summer, the Rebbe often developed a concept from the chapter of Pirkei Avos studied that week. Those sichos are also included in this volume and enable one to appreciate the Chassidic dimension of the teachings of this tractate.

In the sichos preceding and following Yud-Beis Tammuz, the Rebbe Shlita explained the contemporary relevance of this festival, noting the uniqueness of 5750, being the 110th anniversary of the Previous Rebbe’s birth.

In the weeks which followed, the Rebbe emphasized the positive dimension of the Three Weeks, explaining how this period — although outwardly associated with mourning the Beis HaMikdash’s destruction — contains the potential to hasten its being rebuilt.

As is his frequent practice during the summer months, the Rebbe Shlita devoted several sichos to the importance of Jewish children’s attendance in summer camps where they spend their entire day in a Torah environment. Also included in this volume are two sichos which the Rebbe Shlita addressed directly to campers, communicating fundamental Torah concepts to these young children.

In line with the theme of Jewish education, this volume also contains two sichos acknowledging the contributions of a giant in this field, Rabbi Yaakov Yehudah Hecht, z”l. In an unprecedented tribute to this great man, the Rebbe Shlita described his many significant achievements.

The concluding sichos of the year focus on the transition from one year into the next, the conclusion of the service of the year that ends and the preparations for our efforts in the year which will begin.

The sichos of 5750 reflect the miraculous nature of that year and prepare us for the present year, 5751, which is characterized by wonders that are (a) greater and (b) more openly revealed. Our Sages relate that miracles can occur to a person without him realizing that they have taken place. In contrast, the Rebbe has promised the wonders of 5751 will be so unique that everyone will be forced to notice them.

In citing the Yalkut Shimoni mentioned above, the Rebbe did not merely state the conflict in the Persian Gulf would bring immeasurable good to the Jewish people, he pointed to the ultimate good that would come, quoting G‑d’s promise to the Jews, “Humble ones, the time for your redemption has come.” Having witnessed the uniquely wondrous nature of that conflict, our hopes are directed toward the fulfillment of that prophecy in the most literal sense. May it be in the immediate future.

Sichos In English

26 Adar, 5751