The Rebbe Speaks

After the passing of his mother, Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson, in 1964, the Rebbe began holding a farbrengen, chassidic gathering and public address, on the date of her yahrzeit. This gathering would be dedicated to her legacy, and to the mission of the Jewish woman.

The Rebbe’s father, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, was the Chief Rabbi of Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine, at a time when Jewish leaders were persecuted for preserving Judaism. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, however, was defiant; publicly declaring that he would not be coerced into submission.

The manuscripts you found written by the Rebbes of Chabad, and by my father, may have been written years and ages ago, but the teachings are absolutely fresh and new. Thousands of Jews have learned these new teachings, and this merit should bring you success in all that you do.

The Rebbe speaks on 20 Av, the anniversary of his father's passing.

My father served as chief rabbi of Dnipropetrovsk, a major city in Ukraine, which supplied wheat to large parts of Russia. When the time came to prepare flour for matzah, people flocked from the surrounding areas seeking flour that was certified kosher for Passover.

My father gave his life helping to preserve Judaism in communist Russia; thus his Yahrzeit has great significance for all Jews – especially when we see the fruits of his self-sacrifice continuing to bear fruit today, with countless Jews from the Soviet Union observing Torah and Mitzvos.

The Rebbe’s father, Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Schneerson, whose passing is marked on the 20th of Av, was imprisoned and exiled to Kazakhstan for his stance against Soviet efforts to uproot Jewish learning and practice.

An address to the campers of Gan Israel New York, on the Yahrzeit of the Rebbe’s father, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson: The primary purpose of my father’s self-sacrifice was the education of Jewish children under communist oppression.

When someone passes on, the bond they share with their loved ones below is not severed. Family and friends alive in this world can continue to bring the soul joy and happiness.

The twentieth of Av marks the passing of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, the Rebbe’s father. Reflecting on the passing of a loved one is seldom joyous and often brings up feelings of sadness and even bitterness.