1. The First Printing of Tanya on 26 Kislev
Today we are focusing on Yemei Chabad—special days in Chabad history—for the 26th day of Kislev. As previously discussed, in the year 5557 (תקנ״ז) [UNCLEAR: (1797)], two years before the Alter Rebbe’s imprisonment, the very first copy of the Tanya arrived to the Alter Rebbe. This is a significant milestone, as the Tanya is one of the most widely published Jewish books after the Chumash. In fact, it has been printed in locations all over the globe, a campaign that was initiated by the Rebbe and continues to this day. There are now thousands of places where Tanya has been published and studied.
The connection between publishing and learning Tanya is especially emphasized during Kislev. The first printing on 26 Kislev makes this date particularly special. The Alter Rebbe had hoped for it to be ready earlier, so he could study it on Yud-Tes Kislev—the yahrzeit of his teacher, the Maggid of Mezritch—but that did not work out. Nevertheless, 26 Kislev remains a landmark date in Chabad history due to this event.
2. The Delayed Bris of the Rebbe Rashab
Another significant event connected to these days is on 27 Kislev, in the year 5621 (תרכ״א; 1860), when the bris milah (circumcision) of the Rebbe Rashab took place. The Rebbe Rashab was born on 20 Cheshvan, so his bris should have been scheduled for 27 Cheshvan, eight days later as is customary. Many guests gathered for this celebration and a large meal was prepared.
On the night before the planned bris, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka—the wife of the Tzemach Tzedek and grandmother of the baby—overheard her husband instructing his attendant, [UNCLEAR: Chaim Duiv] (the gabbai), to tell their son, the Rebbe Maharash (father of the baby), that the bris would not take place as planned. Distressed by this news, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka sent her daughter to plead with her father not to delay the bris due to all the guests and preparations already made.
3. Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka’s Persistent Advocacy
Despite her pleas, the Tzemach Tzedek insisted that halachically there was reason not to proceed with the bris at that time. Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka did not relent; she sent her daughter a second and then a third time to ask again. She argued not only from practical concerns but also invoked her own status as a bas talmid chacham—the daughter of a Torah scholar (she was daughter of the Mitteler Rebbe)—saying she had rights and privileges due to her lineage.
Finally, faced with her determined request and invoking her unique standing, the Tzemach Tzedek relented: “What can I do about your mother? Since she wants and demands it as a ruling from a bas talmid chacham, I must fulfill her wishes.” He added that everything happens through divine providence (hashgacha pratis) and that ultimately Hashem would ensure that things happen at their proper time.
4. The Postponement and Private Bris Ceremony
The next day preparations resumed: candles were lit in shul as is customary for a bris milah, and those present omitted Tachanun—supplicatory prayers—as is traditional when there is a bris. After davening, when they brought in baby Sholom Dov Ber for his circumcision, his father (the Rebbe Maharash) approached but saw immediately that it was not possible to perform the bris—the child was not healthy enough.
With agreement from his father (the Tzemach Tzedek), they decided to postpone. All those preparations and catering were set aside—a reminder that sometimes home-cooked plans must yield to higher considerations.
5. The Quiet Bris: Lessons from Luchos HaBris
On the second day of Chanukah, Tzemach Tzedek called his son and instructed him: “Tomorrow you should make your son’s bris milah in my private study room.” He specified it should be done quietly with only close family present—no more than two minyanim (twenty people). He referenced how Hashem gave two sets of luchos (tablets): The first were given amidst great fanfare at Sinai but were broken; later tablets were given quietly on Yom Kippur and endured.
The Tzemach Tzedek explained that things done quietly often last longer: “The luchos given quietly are those about which it says ‘they will not cease from your mouth or your children’s mouth or grandchildren’s mouth forever.’” Perhaps he hinted at himself (Tzemach Tzedek), his son (Rebbe Maharash), and grandson (Rebbe Rashab). He wanted this continuity for their family line.
6. Naming Sholom Dov Ber: Symbolism and Mystical Connections
At this private ceremony, Tzemach Tzedek instructed they name him Sholom Dov Ber: “Sholom” after his own father Rebbe Sholom Shachna; “Dov Ber” after his wife’s father, Mitteler Rebbe Dov Ber. At that time they also began calling him “Rashab,” an acronym for “Rebbe Sholom Dov Ber.” There is mystical significance here too: rearranging these letters can spell words meaning “flesh” (basar) or “broken” (shover). The message was about breaking physical desires—striving for spiritual refinement.
He noted further symbolism: being born on 20 Cheshvan (Kaf Cheshvan) in year 5621 (תרכ״א), both containing two “Chofs,” representing high spiritual levels such as Kesser Elyon—the supernal crown.
7. Parallels with Sefer Torah Completion and Family Dreams
There is an interesting parallel between this story and another episode involving completion of a Sefer Torah for Rebbe Rashab’s family. His mother Rebbetzin Rivkah once had a dream instructing them to write a Sefer Torah which was supposed to be completed right after Yom Tov while guests were present. Again, Tzemach Tzedek said no—it would be finished later in a quiet way.
In her dream she saw Mitteler Rebbe reminding them not to forget his name—a detail echoed in how Sholom Dov Ber received names honoring both grandfathers’ fathers: Sholom after one grandfather’s father and Dov Ber after another’s father.
8. Reflections on Divine Providence in Family History
These stories highlight how events surrounding birth and milestones in leadership families like Chabad often unfold with layers of meaning—sometimes through dreams or mysterious delays—and always under careful guidance from above (hashgacha pratis). Whether through postponements or private ceremonies, these moments become woven into family legacy with deep spiritual resonance.