1. The Significance of Yud Beis Tammuz
Today’s Torah and Tea coincides with a special date: Yud Beis Tammuz—the 12th day of Tammuz. This, together with Yud Gimel Tammuz—the 13th of Tammuz, are celebrated as days of salvation in the Chabad Hasidic calendar. Normally, we recite Tachanun—the prayers for forgiveness—every day except on holidays and special occasions like Rosh Chodesh, Shabbos, Purim, or Chanukah. However, among Chabad Hasidim and those who wish to join this tradition, these two days are also marked by omitting Tachanun, commemorating a unique miracle that occurred on these dates.
Yud Beis Tammuz is also the birthday of the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn. While birthdays alone are not typically a reason to omit Tachanun, this day is exceptional because it marks the Rebbe’s liberation from exile—a momentous event for world Jewry.
I want to take a moment to extend a hearty mazel tov to the Rebbetzin and our children on the birth of their son. May they have much nachas!
2. The Previous Rebbe’s Imprisonment and Liberation
The previous Rebbe was renowned for his unwavering self-sacrifice in preserving Yiddishkeit during an era of intense persecution in Soviet Russia. In the 1920s, following the revolution and under Stalin’s regime, there was a concerted effort to uproot all forms of religious observance. Religion was viewed as a drug by the authorities—something to be eradicated.
A particularly insidious group called the Evseksia—the Jewish section within the Communist Party—was formed by children of religious Jews who had become fiercely anti-religious. They used their knowledge of Jewish life to target their own people with government backing, making it nearly impossible for religious Jews to find justice or protection.
Most Jews felt powerless against such overwhelming oppression and gradually abandoned religious practice over generations. Yet, the previous Rebbe, together with a handful of Hasidim, courageously maintained underground yeshivas, shuls, mikvahs, and kosher slaughtering despite constant danger.
The authorities eventually identified Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok as the leader inspiring this resistance. He was arrested and subjected to a sham trial without due process or legal representation. Initially sentenced to death by firing squad, his punishment was commuted first to ten years’ exile and then reduced further to three years in Kastrama due to international pressure and efforts by Hasidim.
3. The Miracle of Redemption and Its Broader Meaning
On the twelfth day of Tammuz (Yud Beis Tammuz), Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok was informed he could return home—a miraculous turn of events. Due to office closures on that day, he received his official release papers only on the thirteenth (Yud Gimel Tammuz). Thus both days became celebrated as days of redemption for all Jews.
The previous Rebbe emphasized that his liberation was not merely personal but represented salvation for every Jew—even those who do not actively practice or study Torah or perform mitzvos. Simply being Jewish connects one to this redemption.
Upon returning home to Leningrad, it became clear that continuing his work in Russia was impossible due to ongoing harassment. With significant international intervention (including from Washington), an exception was made allowing him and his family (including his future son-in-law, our Rebbe) to leave Russia. This marked a pivotal moment in Jewish history.
4. Stories Illustrating Mesiras Nefesh (Self-Sacrifice)
The previous Rebbe’s steadfastness is legendary. Facing professional interrogators from the KGB during his imprisonment, he insisted on receiving his tefillin—refusing cooperation until they were returned as promised. He would only answer questions in Yiddish through a translator.
An iconic exchange occurred when an investigator pointed at his revolver and threatened him: “This toy has opened many mouths.” The Rebbe replied fearlessly: “That toy can only frighten those who have more than one god and only one world. I have one God and two worlds.” His faith rendered him immune to intimidation.
The harsh treatment took its toll on his health; he suffered injuries during incarceration that affected him for life.
5. Early Signs of Leadership: Childhood Courage
The previous Rebbe’s courage manifested even as a child. Once he witnessed a policeman harassing a Jewish man selling a calf at market—mocking whether it was kosher or not—and intervened physically despite being just a boy. He was arrested along with the calf but spent his time in jail reciting Mishnayos by heart thanks to diligent study encouraged by his father.
This story highlights both his early leadership qualities and the importance of internalizing Torah learning so it can be recalled even under duress—a lesson for us all about always having Torah “on hand.” In earlier times without recordings or devices, memory played an essential role in spiritual survival.
6. The Unique Survival of Chabad Under Oppression
The Chabad Hasidim who followed Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok were virtually unique among Jewish groups in maintaining their Judaism under Soviet oppression as a collective body. Many continued their work despite exile or even martyrdom in Siberia—a testament to their leader’s influence.
This legacy deeply impacted our own Rebbe when he encountered his father-in-law in the late 1920s. Witnessing such selfless devotion forged an unbreakable bond between them based on authentic subjugation and dedication solely to Hashem’s will—beyond scholarship or charity alone.
The Rebbe always referred to Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok as “the Moshe Rabbeinu”—the Moses-like leader—of our generation, never claiming that title for himself despite becoming our own Moshe Rabbeinu after succeeding him.
7. Lessons for Our Own Struggles
The birthday and liberation of this great tzaddik should inspire us all: while our challenges may be less severe than those faced under Soviet rule, we each contend with our own inner struggles against the yetzer hara—our evil inclination.
The main lesson is perseverance: do not give up or give in when facing adversity or mockery for living as Jews.
This connects directly with Parshas Balak: Bilaam was hired by Balak specifically because supernatural victories over mighty nations like Sihon and Og made conventional warfare futile against Israel.
8. Parshas Balak: Divine Protection Against Curses
Bilaam sought opportunities when Hashem might be angry at Israel so he could curse them effectively.
Bilaam himself admitted: “How can I curse if God does not wish it?” He recognized that Hashem’s promise would bring Israel into Eretz Yisrael regardless of any human effort.
This teaches us that even when powerful adversaries plot against us (sometimes using language more hateful than Bilaam’s), Hashem protects us from harm.
If we remain strong like our leaders before us—pioneers like Avraham Avinu who opened new paths through self-sacrifice—we too can overcome challenges with confidence that Hashem will help us succeed.