1. The Significance of Chai Elul
Today is Chai Elul—the 18th day of Elul. While every day of the year has its own events, in the Chassidic calendar this day is especially significant. On this day, two of the most important leaders for Chassidim were born: Rabbi Yisroel Baal Shem Tov, the founder of the Chassidic movement, and later, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of Chabad. The name “Yisroel” itself is meaningful—it represents Bnei Yisroel—the Jewish people. The Baal Shem Tov came at a critical time in Jewish history when the Jewish people were spiritually faint, and his arrival revitalized them, much like whispering someone’s name to revive them from a faint.
The Baal Shem Tov’s message was that every Jew is inherently precious and part of Hashem’s treasured nation, regardless of their level of learning or observance. He would encourage ordinary people and emphasize that Hashem values sincerity over formality. This idea is reflected in this week’s parsha: “Es Hashem he’emarta hayom—you have distinguished Hashem to be your God,” and in turn, “lihyos lo le’am segulah—to be His treasured nation.”
2. The Life and Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov
The Baal Shem Tov’s life was shrouded in mystery and miracles from birth. Tradition says his parents, Eliezer and Sarah, had him at an advanced age—100 and 90 respectively—similar to Avraham and Sarah in the Torah. Orphaned by age two and a half, he was raised with only one instruction from his father: “Fear nothing but Hashem Himself.” Even as a child venturing alone into forests, he embodied this fearless trust.
His teacher was said to be Achiya HaShiloni, a prophet from ancient times. The Baal Shem Tov lived privately until compelled by his teacher to reveal himself for his soul’s mission: to encourage Jews and bring them back into the fold with warmth and acceptance.
A famous story illustrates his approach: On Yom Kippur, a simple peasant boy who knew no prayers made animal sounds out of pure sincerity during davening. While others rebuked him, the Baal Shem Tov smiled and explained that it was this innocent outpouring that broke a heavenly decree—Rachmana liba ba’ei—Hashem desires the heart above all else.
The Baal Shem Tov would also go around asking people about their wellbeing so they would respond “Baruch Hashem”—praising Hashem brings His presence down into our world (V’Ata kadosh yoshev tehillos Yisroel). Despite initial opposition from some who accused him of not respecting Torah scholarship enough or being merely a storyteller, history has shown that Chassidim are deeply committed to halacha and self-sacrifice for mitzvos.
3. The Birth of the Alter Rebbe and His Connection to the Baal Shem Tov
The Baal Shem Tov was born in the year תנ"ח (5458 — 1698), while 47 years later on the same date, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi—the Alter Rebbe—was born, in תק"ה (5505 — 1745). The Alter Rebbe saw the Baal Shem Tov only once but always referred to him as his “Zeydi”. His primary teacher was Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezritch, who succeeded the Baal Shem Tov after his son, Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh, held the leadership briefly and then transferred it to the Maggid himself.
The story goes that Schneur Zalman’s parents, Boruch and Rivka, received a blessing for children from the Baal Shem Tov after being childless for a year. At age three, during his upsherin, it was the Baal Shem Tov who cut his hair first. Even when imprisoned years later, Schneur Zalman insisted on calling him Zeydi rather than deny any connection.
The Baal Shem Tov declared at Schneur Zalman’s birth that a new soul had entered with a special mission to change the world for good. He also paraphrased that just as on Wednesday (the day Schneur Zalman was born) Hashem placed two great luminaries in the sky, so too these two souls would illuminate Jewish life with their teachings.
4. The Unique Contributions of Each Leader
The Baal Shem Tov taught that every Jew can serve Hashem no matter their background or knowledge. The Alter Rebbe showed how everyone can actualize this potential through practical guidance—taking inspiration into action.
Chai Elul—“life” in Elul—brings vitality into this month leading up to Rosh Hashanah. With twelve days left in Elul (corresponding to twelve months), each day is an opportunity for spiritual accounting: making up for past months and preparing for those ahead.
The Rebbe explained that what these leaders brought was not just observance but enthusiasm—a living Judaism filled with joy (simcha) and energy rather than rote performance.
5. Bringing Life Into Yiddishkeit: A Metaphor
The Rebbe used an analogy: A fetus in its mother’s womb has all its limbs but isn’t considered fully alive independently until birth. Similarly, before these teachings penetrated Jewish life it could be technically complete but lacking vitality. Once infused with true life—a sense of independent spiritual energy—a Jew becomes truly alive with chiyus—a living connection to Hashem.
This means our service should not be dry or mechanical but filled with excitement and gladness of heart.
6. A Teaching From This Week’s Parsha According to Chassidus
The parsha begins: V’hoyo ki savo el ha’aretz… v’lokachta mereishis kol pri ha’adamah… v’samta batene… v’holachta el hamakom asher yivchar Hashem…—“When you come into the land… take from your first fruits… put them in a basket… go to the place God chooses.”
This mitzvah teaches appreciation (hakoras hatov)—taking some first fruits as thanks when entering Eretz Yisroel after years of wandering. However, Rashi notes that bikurim, these first fruits offerings, were only brought after all tribes received their portions (14 years). Why wait? Shouldn’t one thank Hashem immediately upon receiving blessings?
The lesson is profound: True joy isn’t complete if others are still lacking. One cannot celebrate fully while others remain without their share—a message about communal responsibility over selfishness.
7. The Deeper Chassidic Interpretation: Inspiration Into Action
The Baal Shem Tov offered another layer: Sometimes we feel sudden inspiration or longing without knowing its source—a spiritual voice (bas kol) reaches our soul’s higher levels even if we don’t consciously hear it. This inner stirring must be translated into practical action—putting it “into a basket.” When you come “to Eretz,” which means desire (Eretz sheratzsa la’asos retzon konah)—you must channel your yearning into concrete mitzvos wherever you find yourself because it’s not by chance—Hashem placed you there for His purpose.
This means using our talents—gifts from Hashem—for good deeds wherever we are, publicizing His name through action rather than just feeling inspired internally.
8. Final Thoughts: Energy, Responsibility, Practicality
Tying together these ideas: Chai Elul calls us to infuse our Judaism with energy and vitality—doing mitzvos joyfully—and also reminds us not just to feel inspiration but translate it into practical deeds benefiting others as well as ourselves.
The merit of these great tzaddikim whose birthdays we celebrate today should protect us all—they pray on our behalf for a Kesivah vachasimah tovah, a good inscription for the coming year—and may we all have a Shabbos tov mitoch simcha u’vrius!