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Today, the 29th of Elul, is the final day of the year 5749. It can be seen as the summation of the entire year and all the aspects of its service. Surely, awareness of this concept will motivate everyone to utilize this day in the fullest degree possible.

The day receives further emphasis because it is one of the days of the month of Elul, the month when "the king is in the field." Since "one must always ascend in holy matters," it is obvious that each day, the influence of the king in the field is increased. Furthermore, since [the last twelve days of the month of Elul are representative of the twelve months of the year], today, the final day of Elul, includes within it the month of Elul and thus, the entire year.

Today is also the birthday of the Tzemach Tzedek. This year added significance is attached to this date because it is the two-hundredth anniversary of his birth. (Note the Tzemach Tzedek's explanation of the significance of 200 in his discourses on Shir HaShirim.) All of the above should increase one's awareness of the unique nature of the day and the importance of using it in the fullest manner possible.

It is appropriate to connect the above with a teaching of Chassidus. Though the Tzemach Tzedek himself authored many texts of Chassidus, the Previous Rebbe associated the Tzemach Tzedek's birthday with the following narrative. On the first Rosh HaShanah of the Tzemach's Tzedek's life [i.e., the day after he was born],[285] the Alter Rebbe recited a ma'amar "Mashbian oso" whose contents paralleled the contents of the first three chapters of Tanya. The third chapter of Tanya concludes by describing the connection established through the attribute of Da'as (knowledge). This gives life and maintains the existence of the emotional qualities of love and fear. This also adds to the nature of the meditation necessary to utilize the day in the fullest manner necessary.

Since the birth of the Tzemach Tzedek is connected with the Tanya, it is proper to associate the Tzemach Tzedek's birthday with the printing of the Tzemach Tzedek's Kitzurim VeHa'aros on the Tanya. This will serve as an eternal reminder of the Tzemach Tzedek's birthday and motivate further study of the Tzemach Tzedek's teachings and those of the other Rebbeim.

This text will be distributed to all the men, women,[286] and children[287] who are assembled here (but only to those assembled here). Also, money will be distributed to be given (together with additional funds of one's own) to tzedakah. May these gifts motivate G-d to also give, bringing the Messianic redemption immediately.

   

Notes:

285. (Back to text) Interestingly, the Alter Rebbe recited this discourse on Rosh Hashanah and not on the 29th of Elul, the actual day of the Tzemach Tzedek's birth.

286. (Back to text) Women must also study the teachings of P'nimiyus HaTorah since it is through these teachings that they will be able to fulfill the mitzvos of faith in G-d, the love of G-d, the fear of G-d, and the like. These mitzvos are not connected with a specific time and hence, are incumbent on women as well as on men.

287. (Back to text) The children must be trained to fulfill the above mitzvos beginning with the mitzvah of faith in G-d. Indeed, children have a unique sensitivity to such matters.