Rosh Hashana of Chassidus

The 19th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, this year on Tuesday, Dec. 9th, is celebrated as the “Rosh Hashanah of Chassidus.” It was on this date, in 1798, that the founder of Chabad Chassidism, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745–1812), was released from his imprisonment in czarist Russia. More than a personal liberation, this was a watershed event in Jewish history, heralding a new era in the revelation of the “inner soul” of Torah.

The spread of Chassidic teachings began two generations before Rabbi Schneur Zalman, when Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov started sharing mystical insights that had once been reserved for only a few Kabbalists. His disciple, Rabbi DovBer, the Maggid of Mezeritch, continued this work, further opening the inner dimensions of Torah to the broader Jewish community.

Rabbi Schneur Zalman expanded earlier teachings to a broader audience and created the Chabad approach, a system that made deep mystical ideas clear, logical, and usable in daily life. Most non-Chassidic rabbis and leaders opposed the movement, and some of his own peers felt he went too far in making these once-hidden teachings accessible.

In 1798, Rabbi Schneur Zalman was arrested and imprisoned in a Petersburg fortress on accusations that his teachings posed a threat to the czar’s authority. During his interrogations, he had to explain both core Jewish beliefs and aspects of chassidic thought to government officials. After 53 days, he was cleared and released.

Rabbi Schneur Zalman viewed the entire episode as a physical manifestation of a spiritual drama, a heavenly challenge to his revealing the deepest secrets of Torah. His release, he believed, signaled heavenly approval. From that point on, he expanded his efforts even further, spreading his teachings more widely and with greater clarity and practicality than ever before.

This day marks the “birth” of Chassidism, when the long-hidden secrets of Judaism emerged from the womb of mysticism to illuminate and transform the totality of Jewish life.

In honor of this special day, look up Chabad and learn some Tanya!

Shabbat Shalom!

Candle lighting time in NYC: Friday, 4:10 PM