The Wondrous Sicha
Anyone who takes a look at the sichos of Lag BaOmer 5745 feels right away that they are very appropriate for — and were perhaps even referring to — the upcoming Siyum HaRambam on the eve of Lag BaOmer. To borrow the Rebbe’s words in the sicha, “There’s no room for argument.” Everyone clearly sees the unique connection to this year’s Siyum HaRambam.
It was over a month after the historic first Siyum on Yud Alef Nissan 5745, made by the Rebbe himself. Many spectacular Siyumim were held all over the world, making a strong impression on all segments of Torah Jewry and even beyond. When the daily study was already concluding the second volume of Rambam, Sefer Ahava, the Rebbe suddenly began speaking about making a Siyum on the entire Rambam! And the Rebbe drew a connection between the conclusion and beginning of Rambam as is customary when completing the entire Rambam!
The Rebbe called for holding Siyumim on the entire Rambam in every location possible, and to publish albums documenting these celebrations. The Rebbe spoke excitedly about his recent takana of Rambam study, and said that the Rambam derives pleasure from each additional Jew who begins learning Rambam!
The Rebbe stressed the advantage of making a tumult surrounding the Siyum, as this attracts additional people to join the study.
During the farbrengen, the Rebbe made mention of some who mocked the study of Rambam under the pretense of defending the Rambam’s honor. The Rebbe asked whether those mockers ever completed even one volume of Rambam in their life.
The Rebbe discussed the way Hashem setup nature, that when there is movement in one part of the world, this causes additional movements in the surrounding air, and this chain continues to affect the entire world. Based on this, when even the simplest Jew learns Rambam, this causes the Rambam’s lips to move in his grave, and ultimately affects the air of the entire world.
The Rebbe found similarities between the Rambam and Rashbi, the baal hahilula of Lag BaOmer. Moreover, the famous concluding words of the Rambam in reference to the geula, “In that time…,” are related to the famous words of the Zohar, quoted often in the maamarim of Lag BaOmer: “One time the world needed rain.” Rain is a reference to the geula shleima!
The sichos speak for themselves. There is no need for explanations or proofs. Excerpts from the farbrengen were published and distributed the past Shabbos throughout Crown Heights and generated a wave of excitement in anticipation of the Siyum.
There is an amazing feeling among Chassidim. Over 27 years after Gimmel Tammuz, we merit an actual farbrengen directed to our present situation, said especially for us. This proves to us again, beyond any doubt, that the Rebbe is with us, celebrating the Siyum on the forty-first cycle together with us.
The Committee of the Siyum HaRambam HaOlami is publishing a beautiful booklet that will include the farbrengen in Lashon Hakodesh and English, along with handwritten notes from the Rebbe in connection to the farbrengen.
A special campaign was announced in Chabad yeshivos for the bochurim to learn this farbrengen. Prizes will be raffled off among those who successfully pass tests on the content of the sichos.
As was previously publicized, the central Siyum will take place with a grand and joyous event on the evening entering Lag BaOmer, at 7:30 PM, in front of 770. The Siyum will be combined with a festive Lag BaOmer celebration.
Below are links to the farbrengen in Lashon Hakodesh, Yiddish, and English, as well as audio and video:
Lashon Hakodesh:
https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=59230&st=&pgnum=619
Yiddish:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KTRvrKaLc9ZeYF4HOM0s05G96O4M88Ws/view
English:
https://www.sie.org/templates/sie/article_cdo/aid/2518494/jewish/Lag-BaOmer-18th-Day-of-Iyar-5745-1985.htm
Audio:
https://ashreinu.app/player?parentEvent=4614&event=4615
Video:
