Well before the advent of the year, 5750, the Rebbe Shlita announced that — as implied by the letters תש"נ, — “This will be a year of miracles.” This theme resounds through many of the sichos contained in this volume. It is also evident in the very number of sichos recited by the Rebbe throughout the month of Tishrei. Almost every day of the month was marked by a sichah.

The Rebbe Shlita also noted that Rosh HaShanah, “the head of the year,” — and similarly, the holidays of Sukkos and Shemini Atzeres — began on Shabbos, endowing a Shabbos-like quality of rest and tranquility to our service. The importance of this quality, its reflection in the service of bittul, and the contrast to the emphasis of personal achievement and activity, are themes which recurred throughout these sichos.

In the latter portion of the month, in connection with the holidays of Sukkos, Shemini Atzeres, and Simchas Torah, the sichos emphasized the message of simchah, “happiness,” in various different ramifications.

In the sichos of parshas Noach, the Rebbe Shlita issued a call which was to become a central theme throughout the entire year, to gather groups together for Torah study on Shabbos and to use these gatherings to make resolutions regarding our conduct in the following week.

This volume also includes sichos marking several special events, among them, the Hadran delivered in connection with the conclusion of the sixth and the beginning of the seventh cycle of studying the Rambam’s Mishneh Torah and addresses to the International Conference of Shluchim.

Similarly, it includes the sichos of the month of Kislev, the month which is connected with the giving of Pnimiyus HaTorah and the spreading outward of Chassidic teachings. The Rebbe Shlita spoke in connection with the many unique Chassidic days in this month, providing us with penetrating lessons regarding their contributions. Also, there are many sichos explaining the lessons of Chanukah including the text of the Rebbe’s address to the Chanukah rally which was broadcast by satellite linkup to Jerusalem, Moscow, Paris, and London.

Significantly, this volume is being published in the year, 5751, a year which the Rebbe Shlita has connected with the promise “I will show you wonders.” 5750 was — as clearly evident by the historic collapse of the Iron Curtain and the freedom to emigrate granted to the Jews of those countries — “a year of miracles.” The “wonders” of the present year will, however, surpass those miracles. There are times when “a person to whom a miracle occurs does not recognize the miracle that has happened to him.” In contrast, wonders are manifestations of G‑d’s influence in our lives that cannot pass unseen.

May we witness these wonders in the near future and may they herald the era when, G‑d will “Open my eyes and reveal the wonders of Your Torah,” when “a new Torah will emerge from Me,” with the coming of Mashiach. May it be speedily in our days.

Sichos In English

Rosh Chodesh Shevat, 5751