כ"ה אלול תק"ה - כ"ק אדמו"ר הזקן נכנס לברית של א"א

1. The Bris of the Alter Rebbe

The 25th day of Elul marks a significant event in Chabad history: it is the day that the Alter Rebbe, Reb Shneur Zalman, was brought into the bris—covenant of Avraham Avinu, peace unto him. This ceremony, known as a bris milah—circumcision, took place eight days after his birth on Chai Elul (the 18th of Elul). Thus, the 25th of Elul is celebrated as the day of his entry into this sacred covenant.

2. The Creation of the World and Its Connection to Elul 25

Beyond its significance in Chabad history, the 25th of Elul also holds a central place in the broader Jewish calendar. According to tradition, this is the day on which creation began. Since Adam was created on the sixth day, which is celebrated as Rosh Hashanah, counting back five days brings us to the 25th of Elul as the first day of creation. While Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of man—the purpose and culmination of creation—the actual process began on this earlier date.

3. The Baal Shem Tov’s Role in the Alter Rebbe’s Birth

The Baal Shem Tov played an instrumental role in both the birth and early milestones of the Alter Rebbe. His parents, Reb Baruch and Rivka, initially struggled to have children for ten months. They sought out the Baal Shem Tov for a blessing during his own birthday on Chai Elul. The Baal Shem Tov promised them that within a year they would have a son—a promise fulfilled with the birth of Reb Shneur Zalman.

4. Early Milestones: Upsherenish and Continued Blessings

The connection between the Baal Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe continued beyond his birth. When it came time for his upsherenish—first haircut—his parents once again brought him to the Baal Shem Tov, who personally performed this milestone ritual.

5. The Bris Meal and Torah Teachings

At the bris meal celebrating this occasion, Torah thoughts were shared by those present, expounding on the verse “on the eighth day he shall circumcise” and its spiritual significance.

6. The Baal Shem Tov’s Joy on Shabbos Nitzavim

Following these events, on Shabbos Parshas Nitzavim after the bris meal, the Baal Shem Tov delivered a talk centered around the verse “and I will be delighted in Hashem.” He was visibly filled with great joy during this farbrengen—gathering—though many did not understand its source at that time. In truth, this joy stemmed from both the bris of Reb Shneur Zalman and all that he would come to represent for Chassidus and for Klal Yisrael.