Living Torah Archives

A special presentation highlighting the fascinating events that led up to the Rebbe accepting leadership of the Chabad movement on the 10th of Shevat in 1951. It was a watershed moment in Chabad that ultimately ended up changing the landscape of Judaism all across the world.

Our sages teach that “Jacob never died. As long as ‘Zaro – his seed’ is alive, he too is alive.” What is the significance of the word “zaro – his seed?” “Zaro” can mean “his children,” but it can also mean “what he has sown.”

On the Tenth of Shevat in 1982, the Rebbe delivered an address at a gathering marking thirtytwo years from the passing of this father-in-law and predecessor, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn.

Just days before his passing on the tenth of Shevat in 1950, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, the Rebbe’s father-in-law and predecessor, published a discourse titled “Basi L’gani”. The discourse expounds on many ideas from the Torah that highlight the importance of making this world a dwelling place for the Divine Presence of the Almighty.

Chasidim sing the Beinoni, a song attributed to Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe.

The last discourse that Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, published before his passing commences with the verse “I have come into My garden.” The Previous Rebbe explains that this refers to our world, the innermost dwelling place of G-d.

Special footage of the morning services on the 10th of Shevat, the anniversary of the Previous Rebbe’s passing and the day on which the Rebbe formally accepted leadership of Chabad one year later.

Rabbi Asher Zeilingold recalls spending 10 Shevat, the anniversary of the passing of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, in 770. After observing the Rebbe during evening services, he could not help but wonder how the Rebbe would spend the remainder of such an auspicious day. To his surprise, an answer was short to follow. (1958)

The Rebbe leads evening prayers on Yud Shevat, the anniversary of the passing of his father-in-law and sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn.

The funeral of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Scheersohn, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, took place outside his residence and synagogue, 770 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn.

One might assume that after a tzaddik has ascended on high and experienced unlimited Divine revelation, he would no longer concern himself with matters of this physical world. For the Rebbe, however, such calculations don’t apply.

Rachel named her son ‘Joseph,’ as a prayer: “May G-d add to me a different son.” The Tzemach Tzedek explains: Rachel prayed that Joseph have the ability to transform someone “different” – someone far from G-dliness, into a “son” – someone righteous, like himself.

Vintage footage of the Rebbe’s Farbrengen in honor of the 20th Yahrtzeit of his father-in-law and predecessor, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn of Lubavitch.

My father-in-law, the Rebbe, charged each individual with a specific mission designed to strengthen Judaism. One must keep in mind however, the words of the Zohar: “One layer of shell covers another layer of shell…”

Excerpts from the address when the Rebbe formally accepted the leadership of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement: “The leaders of Chabad demanded that their disciples take personal action—not to rely upon the rebbe, and certainly not to rely upon a rebbe’s son-in-law . . .”

The Rebbe leads the Evening Prayers and addresses the Chassidim on the 40th Yahrzeit of his father-in-law and predecessor, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn of Lubavitch.

The sages state that “all sevenths are cherished.” This is the reason, they explain, why Moses was the one who merited to bring G-d’s Presence into this world—because he was the seventh from Abraham.

The Rebbe leads Morning Prayers at 770 on the 30th Yahrzeit of his father-in-law and predecessor, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch.

Today is the anniversary of the passing of my revered father-in-law, the sixth Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, on 10 Shevat, 5710 (1950). It is an appropriate time to view this 40-year period in a larger perspective.