Thirty-three years ago on Hei Teves, when the Federal Court of the United States ruled that the Library of Agudas Chassidei Chabad belongs to the Chassidim, the Rebbe proclaimed this as an opportune and auspicious time.
Marking the date one year later, the Rebbe explained:
מדי שנה בשנה, “נזכרים” ועי”ז ״נעשים״ אותם הענינים שהיו בפעם הראשונה – להקבע ל”יום סגולה” ו”עת רצון” בכל הקשור לנצחונם של הספרים. (ש”פ ויגש, ה’ טבת ה’תשמ”ח; מוגה)
“Each and every year, the same occurrences that took place during that first year are “remembered,” and thereby “experienced” once again—establishing this date as a special day (“yom segula”) and a favorable time (“eis ratzon”) in all matters pertaining to the victory of the seforim.” (Shabbos Parshas Vayigash, Hei Teves 5748.)
One day after the victory, on 6 Teves, the Rebbe said a short sicha after Maariv, inviting everyone to write their names along with requests for blessings and send them to the Rebbe, which he’d take to the Ohel of the Frierdiker Rebbe. “Everyone can ask for whatever they wish,” the Rebbe said. “These will be given directly to Hashem through the Rebbe, nossi doreinu…”
Indeed, when the Rebbe left for the Ohel the next day, the Rebbe’s car was filled to capacity with tens of bags of letters and notes from around the world. Tens of thousands of people seized the opportunity and sent in their requests for blessings.
Watch the Rebbe’s sicha and subsequent visit to the Ohel below.
Pursuant to the Rebbe’s words declaring Hei Teves as a “special day,” something we relive and experience each and every year, Chassidim will celebrate this day with increased Torah study and farbrengens. Most importantly, to mark the victory of the seforim, the Rebbe instructed that on Hei Teves everyone should either buy new seforim or repairing old ones.
Seizing the opportunity of this auspicious day, many will be making trips to the Ohel throughout the day. Anash and temimim are encouraged to spend time on this special and favorable day in the Rebbe’s presence, appreciating the special brachos attainable on this day.
