1. The Significance of Chai Elul in Chassidus
Today is Chai Elul—the 18th day of Elul—which holds a special place in the Chassidic calendar. As mentioned in Hayom Yom, this day is deeply connected to the Baal Shem Tov. On this date, his teacher, Achiya HaShiloni, who lived many centuries earlier, first appeared to him and began teaching him in a spiritual way. The Baal Shem Tov himself was also born on this day, and it marks the time when his greatness was first revealed to the world after having been hidden for many years.
Remarkably, the Alter Rebbe, a disciple of the Maggid who was himself a follower of the Baal Shem Tov, was also born on Chai Elul. This creates a unique chain of connection through generations of Chassidic leadership. The word chai—life—highlights the energy and vitality associated with this date. Elul itself is already a month focused on closeness to Hashem, and Chai Elul brings out its inner life force as we prepare for the High Holidays.
2. Chai Elul as Preparation for Rosh Hashanah
Chai Elul marks twelve days before Rosh Hashanah, providing an opportunity for introspection and preparation. Traditionally, these twelve days are seen as a time to make a reckoning for each of the past twelve months. In a leap year the outgoing year has thirteen months, with two Adars (Adar Rishon and Adar Sheni). Even so, we use this period to reflect on our actions over the past year and prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming year’s twelve months.
The Rebbe would often emphasize the importance of Chai Elul by holding gatherings designed to energize and motivate people in their spiritual work. Letters from the Rebbe dated on Chai Elul often carry messages of inspiration tailored to this unique time of year.
3. The Parable of Internalizing Spiritual Messages
An insightful story shared by one of the elder Chassidim, Reb Michoel Bliner (known as Reb Michoel der Alter), illustrates how spiritual lessons must be internalized personally rather than viewed as relevant only to others. In earlier times, many Jews lived isolated lives on farms with little access to Jewish learning and were often illiterate. These Jews would hire a melamed—tutor—to teach their children basic Jewish knowledge.
The parable tells of an illiterate Jew who receives a letter but cannot read it himself. He brings it to the melamed, who reads aloud that the man’s father has passed away. Upon hearing this news, the man faints from grief while the melamed, though reading it aloud, remains unaffected. The lesson: when something truly concerns you personally—when it’s “your father”—it touches you deeply; if it’s about someone else, you remain detached.
4. Applying Torah Lessons Personally vs. Externally
This parable teaches that our service of Hashem must be personal and internalized—not just theoretical or directed at others. When we study Torah or perform mitzvos, we should not approach them as if they are someone else’s responsibility or concern but recognize that they are directly relevant to us.
The Rebbe emphasized that when helping or teaching others about Judaism, it should not be seen merely as doing someone else a favor or reading “someone else’s letter.” Instead, we must connect personally with what we teach and practice so that our own lives are transformed alongside those we seek to inspire.
5. The Danger of Detachment for Leaders and Teachers
A related idea is that rabbis or teachers can sometimes fall into the trap of seeing inspiring stories or teachings merely as material for sermons rather than messages meant for their own growth. There is an expression attributed in Chassidic circles: “A rabbi who delivers sermons will never truly repent,” because he always thinks about how stories apply to others rather than himself.
The Rebbe once addressed someone influential who argued that his personal religious level was less important since he inspired so many others through his speeches and actions. The Rebbe responded that if leaders do not internalize their own teachings, their followers will also learn only to inspire others without changing themselves. True leadership requires leading by example—being inspired oneself so that others will follow suit in action, not just in words.
6. Unique Status of Chai Elul in Jewish Practice
The 18th day of Elul did not become an official holiday like Yud Tes Kislev (when Tachanun is omitted), though there is debate within Chabad circles about whether Tachanun should be said on this day. Some more attuned individuals refrain from saying Tachanun on Chai Elul out of respect for its significance, but officially it remains just a birthday rather than an established festival.
Despite its unofficial status on the calendar, Chai Elul carries tremendous spiritual weight as both the birth and revelation date for foundational figures like the Baal Shem Tov and Alter Rebbe. It serves as both a beginning point and preparation for Rosh Hashanah—a time when people are especially open and receptive to connecting more deeply with Hashem and their own spiritual journey.