Back to Basics at Bais Shmuel

By COLlive reporter
Photos by Levik Hertzel

An annual summer BBQ by Congregation Bais Shmuel in Crown Heights, brought out not only hot dogs and burgers, but also a fascinating presentation on a subject quite unknown among a new generation of Chabad Chassidim.

Sitting in Chanan Feldman‘s backyard, 50 congregants listened to the shul’s leader and world renowned teacher Rabbi YY Jacobson as he shared the intimate story of how the Rebbe‘s teachings developed over the years and how they were published.

For 2 hours straight, Rabbi Jacobson mapped out the system of the publication of the Rebbe’s teaching, how loyal the writers were to the source, which of his talks did the Rebbe edit and who decided which talks the Rebbe would edit.

The young men gathered, in their 20’s and 30’s, were thirsty to hear more about why are some Sichos are in Yiddish and others in Hebrew and what is the difference between Sefer Hasichos, Hevaduyos, Maamarim Melukat and Sefer Hamaamarim.

In his youth, Rabbi Jacobson served as one of the “choizrim,” the human tape recorders, charged with the mission of memorizing and transcribing the Rebbe’s talks which lasted sometimes for many hours. Jacobson shared his intimate knowledge of the subject and its history.

“I was inspired to give this presentation when one of our members asked me which Sichos went in to Likkutei Sichos,” says Jacobson, who is also dean of TheYeshiva.net, an online study center.

“Then someone asked what is the difference between a Sicha and a Maamar, and I realized it’s time to go back to the basics and give a comprehensive overview of the entire structure of the Rebbe’s talks and their publication,” he told COLlive.com.

The annual Bais Shmuel summer BBQ was organized by its President and founder, Moshe Pinson.

“For the many men whose families are up in the mountains, this gives us an opportunity to come together, in unity and friendship, and grow in our learning and social skills,” said Rabbi Jacobson.