(Sicha 19 Kislev 5732)
The Holiday of the 19th of Kislev
The Alter Rebbe writes: “When I read the verse of Pslams, “Redeem my soul in peace” I left in peace; peace is from G-d (Source 1). The Talmud associates this verse with the mitzvot; one who studies Torah, does acts of kindness and prays with the community (Source 2). The Rebbe notes that the libel against the Alter Rebbe centered on these three issues.
The claims were that Chassidut would bring a laxity toward Torah, that the charity sent to Israel was to support the Ottoman Empire, and that the new prayer liturgy demonstrated that Chassidism was a new cult.
The Rebbe explains that in general, the rule is that if one asks for advice from an enemy, they will give advice that is the exact opposite of the correct course of action. Here too, the fact that such accusations were presented in the Czar’s court proves that the reality was precisely the opposite.
Torah Study
Chabad Chassidut emphasizes the importance of humility before Torah scholars, out of deference to the Torah’s greatness. The Alter Rebbe was a tremendous scholar in the area of Jewish law, the greatest virtue – Saul envied David because the law was ruled in David’s favor (Source 3-4), and Beit Hillel merited that the law followed their ruling.
The Maggid of Mezritch gave the Alter Rebbe the task of writing a code of Jewish Law (Source 5), unique in that it was concise, yet explained the reasoning behind the rulings.
The accusations made claimed the Alter Rebbe would degrade the primacy of the Torah, however the truth was precisely the opposite.
Charitable Acts and Prayer
Charity: The Torah study and mitzvah observance that was enabled through sending charity to Israel would hasten the coming of Moshiach, freeing the Land of Israel from Ottoman rule, in other words, this was opposing the Ottoman Empire. The accusations, however, claimed that these funds would support the Ottoman rule.
Prayer: Until today, it is indisputable that lengthy, meditative prayer primarily exists in Chassidic spheres. The allegations about this were false as well.
Pressing an Olive Releases its Oil
As “falsehood has no legs” there must have been a kernel of truth in the allegations. What could it have been? After his release, the Alter Rebbe’s involvement in Torah study, prayer and charitable acts was at a far greater scale than before. The allegations essentially pressed the olive and it gave forth its oil.
Lesson: We must add in our Torah study, prayer and charity.
