1. The Significance of Yud-Beis Tammuz
We gathered the minyan—prayer quorum—early in honor of Yud-Beis Tammuz, omitting Tachnun—supplicatory prayers. Yud-Beis Tammuz is primarily known as the day of the hagal geula—the redemption, when the Previous Rebbe was freed from his exile in Kast Ramah. Although he was sentenced to three years, after only a few days he was notified of his freedom. However, due to a legal holiday, the official papers were delayed until the next day, making Yud-Gimmel Tammuz also a day of celebration. This two-day span is seen with other yomim tovim—festivals—such as Yud-Tes and Chof Kislev, where both days are marked as significant.
What is less widely known is that Yud-Beis Tammuz is also the birthday of the Previous Rebbe, born in the year Tof-Reish-Mem. Naturally, his bar mitzvah also fell on this date. These personal milestones are deeply intertwined with his later public role and responsibilities.
2. Early Milestones: Tefillin and Communal Responsibility
The Rebbe Rashab instructed his son, the Previous Rebbe, to begin putting on tefillin—phylacteries—at age 11, earlier than usual. Typically, boys begin a few months before their bar mitzvah, but this was done quietly and privately in his room. It appears that in that particular year, Yud-Beis Tammuz fell on Shabbos when tefillin are not worn, so he began on the 11th of Tammuz without a bracha—blessing—and then continued from Sunday, Yud-Gimmel Tammuz.
At age 16, on his birthday, the Previous Rebbe was brought into communal affairs by his father and became his personal secretary. These events highlight how birthdays are not just times for celebration but also moments when new responsibilities are assumed. For most children at age 11, they are not yet mature enough for tefillin due to lacking a guf naki—a pure body—but the Previous Rebbe was on an entirely different madriga—spiritual level.
3. Divine Providence and Leadership Challenges
The pattern of these milestones shows us that everything happens through divine providence (hashgacha pratis). The Previous Rebbe’s birthdays were marked by increased responsibility and maturity. Notably, he faced immense challenges as a leader—perhaps more than any other rebbe—especially from government opposition after the revolution in Russia. While earlier rebbes like the Alter Rebbe faced opposition from within the Jewish community (misnagdim), the Previous Rebbe contended with relentless governmental oppression.
This was not something he chose for himself; rather, Hashem sends leaders suited to each generation’s needs. The Previous Rebbe had unique koyches—powers—to help Klal Yisroel during those difficult times.
4. The Dual Role: Self-Sacrifice and Spreading Chassidus
The connection between his birthday and liberation underscores how these events were not mere coincidences but deeply linked to his mission. The Previous Rebbe demonstrated extraordinary mesirus nefesh—self-sacrifice—to ensure even one Jew would perform one mitzvah. He cared deeply about every Jew—no matter how distant or unlearned—and exerted himself fully so that even one mitzvah would be observed.
At the same time, he revealed profound teachings of Chassidus for those capable of deep study—the greatest chassidim and maskilim—publishing works under extremely trying circumstances both in Russia and later during wartime exile and even amidst American apathy toward religious life.
5. Parallels with Parshas Chukas: Enduring Hatred and Transformation
This week’s parsha is Chukas, which recounts how nations like Moav opposed Bnei Yisroel without provocation—motivated purely by traditional hatred rather than any real grievance. As Rashi explains, Moav had no reason to fight Bnei Yisroel since Hashem told us not to challenge them, yet they instigated trouble by hiring Bilam out of hatred alone.
The Previous Rebbe similarly faced baseless opposition—not because Torah observance was illegal under communist law (it wasn’t), but because anti-religious elements sought to make life difficult for Jews regardless of legality or justice.
6. Contemporary Challenges: Breaching Moral Boundaries
This theme continues today: even in societies with legal protections for religion or tradition (like Supreme Court rulings), there are efforts to legitimize behaviors contrary to Torah values—what Rashi calls “portzu gidrei shel oylom,” breaching the world’s moral fences. Bilam advised Midian to entice Bnei Yisroel into sin through immorality—a breach that led to Hashem’s anger as described later in the parsha.
The same dynamic plays out now when new laws undermine traditional moral boundaries under the guise of freedom or progress—another form of “advice of Bilam.” These breaches challenge our commitment to Torah values amid societal pressure.
7. Hope for Redemption: From Suffering to Blessing
The story of Bilam also teaches transformation: though he intended curses for Bnei Yisroel, Hashem turned them into blessings—the first words we say each morning: “ma tov u’ohalecha Yaakov mishkenosecha Yisroel”—“How goodly are your tents O Jacob.” Even our greatest adversaries can become sources of blessing through Hashem’s intervention.
The clearest prophecy about Melech HaMashiach appears in Bilam’s words as well—showing that even those who oppose us can unwittingly reveal our ultimate redemption (hisapcha—transformation). The Rebbe writes that with Mashiach’s coming we will thank Hashem for all past suffering (oitcha Hashem ki anavta bi) because we will see its hidden kindness revealed.
8. Yearning for Geula Amid Modern Obstacles
Tying this all together with current events and approaching three weeks leading up to Shivasar b’Tammuz: just as previous generations faced oppression from governments seeking to suppress Judaism outright, today we face challenges disguised as freedom or progress which breach foundational boundaries (gidrei shel oylom). Instead of further breaches in Yerushalayim’s walls—literal or figurative—we pray for their rebuilding and strengthening.
May we merit soon the complete geula (geula amitis v’shleima) with no more breaches or obstacles—only revealed good—and greet Mashiach Tzidkeinu speedily in our days.