From Tevet to Adar: Victory, Leadership, and Joy

Tevet: Victory and Heritage

5 Tevet: "Didan Notzach" — Victory Is Ours (1987)

On 5 Tevet 5747 (1987), a U.S. federal court issued a historic ruling in favor of the library of the Lubavitcher Rebbes. The judge ruled that the priceless collection of books, manuscripts, and documents belonged not to a private individual but to the entire Chabad movement — that is, to the entire Jewish people. This day became known as "Didan Notzach" — "Victory is ours." The Rebbe explained that this victory in a material court reflected a victory in the spiritual worlds: the holy books returned to those to whom they rightfully belong. Chassidim around the world celebrate this day with dancing, farbrengens, and renewed resolve to study and spread the teachings of Chassidism.

24 Tevet: Yahrzeit of the Alter Rebbe

24 Tevet is the memorial day of the founder of the Chabad movement, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (the Alter Rebbe). He passed away in 1812 while fleeing the army of Napoleon, whom he considered a spiritual threat to the Jewish people. The Alter Rebbe created the Chabad system (Chochmah, Binah, Daat), enabling the human mind to grasp the Divine. His principal work — the Tanya — became the "Written Torah of Chassidism," a book that is studied and reread throughout one's lifetime. Every generation finds new depths in the Tanya and answers to the challenges of its time.

Shvat: Leadership and Love

10 Shvat: Passing of the Rebbe Rayatz and the Beginning of New Leadership

10 Shvat 5710 (1950) is the day of passing of the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak (the Rebbe Rayatz). Exactly one year later, on 10 Shvat 5711 (1951), his son-in-law, Rabbi Menachem Mendel, assumed leadership of the movement, delivering the famous maamar "Basi Legani" ("I have come into My garden"). This maamar, based on the final teaching of the Rebbe Rayatz, proclaimed the mission of the seventh generation: to make this world a dwelling place for G-d. "Basi Legani" became the programmatic document for all of the Rebbe's activities — from mitzvah campaigns to sending shluchim (emissaries) throughout the world.

22 Shvat: Passing of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka — Ahavat Yisrael

On 22 Shvat 5748 (1988), Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, the Rebbe's wife, passed away. Her life was an embodiment of modesty and love for every Jew. After her passing, the Rebbe established many institutions in her honor, and her name became a symbol of ahavat Yisrael — unconditional love for every Jew. The Rebbetzin always said: "I do not belong to myself — I belong to the Chassidim." These words reflect the essence of her service: complete self-sacrifice for the Jewish people.

Adar: Joy and New Beginning

9 Adar: Arrival of the Rebbe Rayatz in America

On 9 Adar 5700 (1940), the Rebbe Rayatz, rescued from war-torn Europe, arrived in America. His famous words "America iz nisht andersh" — "America is no different" — overturned the notion that in the New World it was impossible to live a full Jewish life. The Rebbe Rayatz declared that Torah and mitzvot are obligatory everywhere, and America is no exception to this rule. These words proved prophetic: it was America that became the world center of Torah and Chassidism, vindicating the Rebbe Rayatz's faith in the spiritual potential of this country.

25 Adar: Birthday of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka — Jewish Birthday Campaign

25 Adar is the birthday of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka. In connection with this date, the Rebbe initiated the "Jewish Birthday" campaign, calling on every Jew to celebrate their birthday according to the Jewish calendar with special spiritual actions: increased Torah study, additional tzedakah (charity), and making new spiritual resolutions. The Rebbe explained that a birthday is a day when a person's "mazal" (spiritual fortune) is especially strong, and on this day their prayers and resolutions carry special power. The Jewish Birthday campaign became one of many of the Rebbe's initiatives aimed at strengthening Jewish identity and every Jew's connection to their roots.