1. Reflections on Yom HaOledes and Sharing Blessings
Today is actually my Yom HaOledes—my birthday. I had planned to be in New York by the Ohel today and to make a fabrengen there, as the Rebbe asked that everyone make a get-together on their birthday. Unfortunately, the schedule didn’t work out, but I am planning, b'ezras Hashem, to go tomorrow morning after davening. Still, I wanted to take advantage of my birthday with Mincha and Ma'ariv, and share a short thought.
It is customary to review a maimer, and also to share the special powers one has on their birthday. I want to wish everyone hatzlacha and bracha—blessings and success in all your endeavors. Any powers or merit I may have today, especially the idea of mazal hagoiver—the mazal being strong—I want to pass along those blessings to each of you, your families, spouses, and all of Klal Yisrael: for awe, joy, success, and blessing in everything you do.
2. The Timing of Yom HaOledes Between Redemption Dates
My birthday always falls between Gimmel Tammuz and Yud Beis Tammuz, which are celebrated as the days of redemption for the previous Rebbe. There is a ten-day span between these two dates: on Gimmel Tammuz the previous Rebbe was released from prison to exile, and on Yud Beis Tammuz he was freed from exile altogether. Due to a holiday when offices were closed, he received his official release papers on Yud Gimmel Tammuz.
The previous Rebbe was imprisoned for strengthening Yiddishkeit. Initially sentenced to death, after much effort and heavenly mercy the verdict was changed to ten years of exile. On Gimmel Tammuz he left prison for exile in Kastroma; on Yud Beis Tammuz he was freed entirely.
3. The Two Maimorim Upon Release: Their Order and Meaning
Immediately upon hearing of his release, the previous Rebbe delivered two maimorim. On Yud Beis Tammuz he gave a maimer beginning with “Hashem li b'oizrei”—“God is with my helpers.” On Yud Gimmel Tammuz, when he formally received his release papers, he gave a maimer beginning with thanking Hashem for His kindness: “Baruch haGomel l'chayovim tovos.”
The difference between these two verses is significant. “Baruch haGomel l'chayovim tovos” is said when someone recovers from danger or illness—thanking Hashem for past kindnesses. In contrast, “Hashem li b'oizrei va'ani ereh b'sonai”, from Tehillim, literally means “God is among my helpers; I will see [vengeance] upon my enemies.”
The order seems unusual: one would expect first to thank Hashem for His kindness (the past), then pray regarding enemies (the future). Why did the previous Rebbe reverse this order?
4. The Miraculous Protection of Those Who Helped
The Rebbe explains this by noting an astonishing phenomenon during those difficult times in Russia: anyone who got involved in helping the previous Rebbe—even though it was dangerous just being religious or contacting authorities—suffered no harm at all. Many risked their lives or livelihoods by intervening with government officials or police where no one else would dare go.
Amazingly, none of those who helped were hurt—not financially, emotionally, spiritually, or physically. This was completely unnatural and clearly miraculous.
5. Understanding “Hashem li b’oizrei”—God as the Only Helper
The previous Rebbe asked: what does it mean that God is “with my helpers”? Is there any helper besides Hashem? The answer is that sometimes Hashem’s help comes through hidden channels that look like nature or human intervention. But here it was obvious that only Hashem could have orchestrated these events so miraculously.
The people who helped were merely vehicles through which Hashem acted—like a stick in someone’s hand isn’t responsible for striking someone else. It wasn’t really them acting independently at all.
This explains why none of them could be harmed: since they were only instruments in Hashem’s hands, there was no possibility for injury or loss.
6. Reward for Helpers and Transformation of Enemies
You might think that if these helpers were only instruments of Hashem’s will, perhaps they wouldn’t receive reward either since they didn’t act independently. But the verse continues: “va'ani ereh b'sonai.”
The deeper meaning here isn’t about revenge but about reaching a level where one can perceive godliness even through adversity or opposition (b'sonai—“through my enemies”). Many who opposed or harmed the Rebbe were themselves Jews who unfortunately acted against him.
The Rebbe prayed not for vengeance but that Hashem should turn their hearts around—not b'sonai (to see vengeance), but rather that their actions should be transformed for good.
7. The Sequence: Protection Before Thanksgiving
The order now makes sense: first ensure that none of those involved in helping would be harmed (Hashem li b'oizrei). Then pray even for those Jews who opposed him (b'sonai) that they too should not suffer harm but instead reach spiritual transformation.
Only after securing protection for others did the previous Rebbe thank Hashem personally for his own redemption (Barchu haGomel l'chayovim tovos). This sequence highlights his concern first for others before himself.
8. Concluding Blessings and Perspective on Divine Kindness
As we approach this time of C hag haGeula , may it be a truly festive day filled with open miracles in our lives. I want again to bless all those who bless others—may you be blessed by Hashem from His full and open hand.
No matter how things may appear momentarily not as we wish, we must remember that Hashem is behind everything. Ultimately we will celebrate and thank Him for all His goodness and kindness revealed in our lives.