The 10th of Shevat is the Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn (1880-1950), the sixth Rebbe of Chabad-Lubavitch, who settled in New York after enduring Stalinist imprisonment in 1927, as well as the horrors of war-torn Europe. On the same day exactly one year later, at a gathering of Chassidim marking the first Yahrtzeit of the previous Rebbe, the Rebbe delivered a Chassidic discourse entitled Basi L'Gani (“I Came into My Garden”), effectively signifying his formal acceptance of the leadership of Chabad-Lubavitch.
In order to mark this special day, the Shluchim at the Rabbinical College launched a Mivtzah (campaign) designed to encourage the students in their preparations for this special day. The Mivtzah was coordinated by Shliach Shmuel Slonim and Shliach Mendy Lieberman.
For an entire month, the Yeshivah was gripped with an inspiring and electric atmosphere, as the students strove to further enhance all areas of their daily conduct. The students participated in a variety of ways, such as attending optional Shiurim, filling out a daily Duch (report), and making and keeping a personal Hachlata (resolution). Additionally, many of the students learned and memorized Basi L'Gani, and the entire student body gathered together to hear, learn and review the Rebbe’s talks of Yud Shevat 5735 (1975).
The month-long campaign concluded with an exhilarating Farbrengen (Chassidic gathering), the theme of which was Hiskashrus – maintaining our bond with the Rebbe. The evening concluded with a number of raffles. The grand-prize winner was Levi Gutnick, who was selected to travel and represent the Yeshivah on Yud Shevat, at Lubavitch World Headquarters in Crown Heights (New York, USA).
Photo Credits: Dovi Straiton.
