Through the years (starting in 5738) Sichos In English has, with diligence and devotion, published the English versions of the Sichos — talks and discourses of the Rebbe Shlita — in weekly serial form. These pamphlets have subsequently been reissued in hard cover volumes that cover a particular time period. Generally, the bound volumes have been published sequentially. However, in a few rare cases, several volumes of Sichos In English have not appeared in their chronological order.

It is therefore with a special feeling of gratitude and a keen sense of thanks to the Almighty that we happily publish (belatedly) this 23rd volume of Sichos In English which covers the period from Rosh Hashanah, 5745, till the 20th of MarCheshvan, 5745 and includes the translation of all the Farbrengens held during that time.

The free style translations of the Sichos are structured to appeal to the English-speaking reader who has some basic familiarity with the teachings of Chassidus. The original contexts of the Sichos are generally maintained, and the form and style in which they were said is adhered to. Only slight adaptations or omissions have been permitted, when they facilitate the smooth flow of the translation. As always, great effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the translations; however, they carry no official authorization. As in all works of this nature the possibility of inadvertent error exists for which the publisher accepts full responsibility.

As the reader peruses this volume he will find several talks delivered to the children of Tzivos Hashem during two rallies which took place on the 5th of Tishrei and Chol HaMoed Sukkos as well as topics directed specifically to women and their special role, on the 6th of Tishrei, marking the 20th anniversary of the passing of Rebbetzin Chana, the Rebbe Shlita’s mother, o.b.m.

The same Farbrengen also generated the Essay: ‘Equal Rights,’ issued by Sichos In English based on the Rebbe’s talk on the subject of woman’s role and responsibilities, in Jewish life.

Sukkos saw the Rebbe make a startling analogy between the Patriarch Avraham and the Baal Shem Tov who both revealed and disseminated G‑dliness in the world, albeit under different conditions.

The subject and problem of ‘Who is a Jew’ never fails to rear its ugly head and once again this year the Rebbe Shlita, addressed the issue and reiterated the importance of Halachic as the only basis for Jewishness.

The month of MarCheshvan brings the changeover from holiday month to routine work month in the mundane affairs of the world — in this context a Jew must remember that the raging floods of the mundane will not affect him. The Rebbe once again stressed the importance of having a Mashpia to help a person set a clear course in life.

In this volume we include two letters issued by the Rebbe Shlita, for the Ten Days of Repentance and for the day after Simchas Torah. A translation of the Yechidus of the 27th of Tishrei is also included.

In addition to the increased dissemination of the fountains of Chassidus by the written and printed word — Sichos In English has also become an aggressive pioneer in the area of audio Torah tapes. No sooner was the monumental task of recording the English translation of Rambam’s Mishneh Torah and Sefer HaMitzvos completed, with the help of the Almighty, than Sichos In English undertook the recording and disseminating of Tanya tapes in English and the weekly Torah portion, expounded in the light of Chassidic philosophy. These tapes are heard on call-in telephone lines around the world and are also available to the public.

Our fervent hope is to make the light of Torah accessible to a much wider circle of Jewish readers, to disseminate the wellsprings of Chassidus and to bring new inspiration and vitality into the daily lives of English-speaking Jews. The accomplishment of this goal will be our greatest satisfaction and reward.

Sichos In English

25 MarCheshvan, 5748