5670 —הבהרת זמן התגלות הבעש"ט

B"H, 23 Menachem Av, 5717. Brooklyn.

Yitzchak Meir.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av in which you ask about the contradiction between two reports regarding the Baal Shem Tov’s revelation: a) on Chai Elul 5494; b) as brought in the Baal Shem Tov’s letters (printed in HaTamin, issue 1, section 275) that he would be revealed on the day after Thursday Parshas Vayeshev.

The report that the Baal Shem Tov was revealed on Chai Elul 5494 was explicitly heard from my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe zatzal, in the name of his father, the Rebbe Rashab zatzal, and as printed in the sichah of 20 Kislev 5693 in the name of Reb Menachem Nachum of Chernobyl (printed in Likkutei Diburim II, section 2—see there).

This does not contradict what is written in his aforementioned letter, since there are several levels of revelation. And since no further details have been received about this matter, it is understood that there is no room for mere speculation. However, it appears from several stories that Chai Elul 5494 was definitely the day of revelation for all Israel—as Nasi Yisrael openly and practically.

I hope that since you have approached me with such a question, you certainly have set times for learning Chassidus. May it be G‑d’s will that you increase in this—as our Torah instructs us to always ascend in holiness—and may your study be according to halachah: to understand and grasp (see Magen Avraham—Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim end of section 50).

Blessings,

In the name of my revered father-in-law, shlita

Secretary: Altar.

Summary

The Rebbe clarifies that different accounts about the Baal Shem Tov’s revelation reflect various stages or aspects but affirms Chai Elul as the public event. He encourages consistent study and growth in learning Chassidus.