1. The Rebbe's Mivtza on Rosh Chodesh
On the 30th day of Tishrei, which is also the first day of Rosh Chodesh, the Rebbe initiated a special project known as Mivtzoim. One of these Mivtzoim focused on encouraging every Jewish child to have a letter in a Sefer Torah—a Torah scroll. The Rebbe emphasized that participation could be symbolic, with each child contributing a dollar towards this initiative. This project aimed to unite all Jewish people and children through their involvement in writing a Sefer Torah.One notable instance of this initiative occurred at the yeshiva in Boston, where I was present during Rosh Hashanah. A Sefer Torah was dedicated there as part of this project. Approximately one year after the Rebbe launched this initiative, there was an inspiration to include soldiers in Israel, specifically those serving in the Israeli army, known as Tzahal. The Rebbe organized this participation as a means of protection for these soldiers.
2. Involvement of Chabad Activists
Chabad activists were involved in facilitating this project, encouraging soldiers and their families to contribute a small amount to participate in writing the Sefer Torah. On the 30th day of Tishrei in the year 5742 (1981), the Rebbe invited a group of Chassidim who were working on this project. Notably, none of those distinguished Chabad rabbis are alive today. The Rebbe instructed that the leadership of the Israeli army should take responsibility for this initiative independently, rather than it being perceived as coming directly from him.The chief rabbi of the IDF at that time, Rav Gad Navon, decided that the first two letters written in the Sefer Torah would be in honor of the Rebbe. These letters were inscribed using the Ksav Arizal—the script associated with Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (the Ari). The goal was to unite 304,805 individuals—reflecting the number of letters in the Torah—through their contributions.
3. Instructions and Halachic Guidance
The project took some time for approval from the Israeli government before it could proceed fully. Alongside these developments, today’s Hayom Yom includes instructions on how to perform Halil and verses that are repeated during prayers, specifically referencing L'vav Rom Zok in Baba Yomim. This guidance is essential for understanding how to engage with these spiritual practices effectively.4. Insights from Today's Tanya
In today's Tanya, we continue exploring Chapter 25. The Rebbe discusses the elevated nature of a Jewish soul, which originates from a profound connection to godliness. While everything comes from Hashem, the source of a Jew is considered to be on an even higher level.This chapter emphasizes that when a person speaks words of Torah or engages in prayer (davening), their speech has a unique impact that reaches higher spiritual realms. The Rebbe elaborates on how expressing oneself through dibur—speech or verbal expression—can affect one's spiritual state and connection to Hashem.
Notes
Part 1 of this recording, on the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Yaakov Mordechai Bespalov, is at 30 Tishrei.
The Tanya studied that day, Likkutei Amarim perek 25 – Tanya, perek 25.
The Sefer Torah campaigns – the earlier Sefer Torah to greet Moshiach is told on 23 Tishrei and 9 Shevat.