By COLlive reporter
One of the most famous series of Chassidic maamarim (discourses) in Chabad teachings is “Vekacha—5637” by the forth Chabad Rebbe Maharash, Rabbi Shmuel of Lubavitch (1834-1882), of blessed memory.
This series, delivered by the Rebbe Maharash in 1877 (5637), has recently been typeset and published, for the first time, by Kehot Publication Society, the Chabad-Lubavitch publishing house.
The hemshech, as a Chasidic series of discourses is known, appears in volume two of Torat Shmuel—5637. The discourses are presented with copious annotations and glosses, indices and references, skillfully edited by Rabbi Alexander Z. Piekarski of the Chabad Research Center.
It was first published in 1945 as a photo reproduction of the handwritten transcript of the discourses by Rabbi Shmuel Sofer, head of the transcribers in Lubavitch at the time.
This paperback edition of the hemshech was dedicated by the previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, in memory of his mother, Rebbetzin Shterna Sara, of blessed memory.
The current edition is graciously dedicated by Rabbi and Mrs. Dovid Fischer of Jerusalem-New York.
The Rebbe often spoke of the merits of this hemshech, frequently citing one of its central themes: the advantage of teshuva and good deeds in this world over all the delights of the World to Come. In his introduction to the first edition, the Rebbe notes “the great hemshech Vekacha made a great impression on the world of Chassidim.”
“Indeed, during the festival of Sukkot, we often witnessed the Rebbe entering his sukka with the early edition of the hemshech in his hand,” says Rabbi Yosef B. Friedman of Kehot.
The volumes of Torat Shmuel—5637 presents all the discourses delivered in 1877. Volume one presents, for the first time, all the discourses delivered during the winter months; volume two contains the forty-six discourses of the “Vekacha” series.
At the end of volume two, the editor presents a catalog of sources in the works of the Rebbe in which he cites or references the hemshech.
Volume two also includes a comprehensive overview of the hemshech replete with anecdotes and quotes by the Rebbe Rabbi Shalom Dovber, his son Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak and the Rebbe concerning the hemshech.
The overview concludes with a telling story recorded by the Rebbe: “When the Rebbe Maharash concluded delivering the hemshech (later know as the ‘the great Vekacha’) he called his son and successor, Rabbi Shalom Dovber, closed the door and produced a bottle of Arik. He then said: ‘In honor of the conclusion of the hemshech they would celebrate with a siyum’and say l’chayim.'” “It seems,” concludes the Rebbe, “that they held a farbrengen amongst themselves.”
For more, visit kehot.com
Whoops I wrote the comment before reading the whole article but wow this is such a besurah tovah I’ll deffinatly buy it and make an effort to read through it.
I’m sure this -publishing this sefer – will hasten the geulah should come immediately
Do you know that Tav Reish Lamed Zayin is the same as 5637?
BS”D
#1 Mendy why not contact Kohos with your good request its unlikely they read these comments
That’s what this is!!!
what about the othe “impressive” hemshech mayim rabim 5636 the maharash 2 most famous hemsheichim were the ones impossible to find
Thank you Kehos.
Could they please print hemshich v’kocha “hakodol reish lamed zayin”? Compared to other seforim that they have printed its quiet small in quantity but its a rich and very fundermental hemshechim in chassidus and it has not been printed yet. I know I’m not the one that’s paying for it or putting effort in to it but nevertheless you people have done so many wonderful things and printed such a large amount of chassidus hasn’t it come the time already you should print this precious hemshich which is not even that large in its quantity May hashem bencht you for… Read more »