With gratitude and exultation in our hearts we offer prayers of thanksgiving to the Al-mighty on reaching this important milestone — the publication of Volume 25 of Sichos In English. This volume includes the English translations of the discourses of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Shlita spoken at all the Farbrengens from the 15th of Shvat through Shabbos HaGadol in the year 5745.
The free-style translations of the Sichos are structured to appeal to the English-speaking reader who has some basic familiarity with the teachings of Chassidus. The original contexts of the Sichos are generally maintained, and the form and style in which they were said is adhered to. Only slight adaptations or omissions have been permitted, when it facilitates the smooth flow of the translation. As always, great effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the translations; however, they carry no official authorization. As in all works of this nature the possibility of inadvertent error exists.
Among the important topics discussed by the Rebbe during the period covered in this volume, was the suggestion that each month everyone should reach out to another Jew and attract him/her to Torah, and to increase charity by multiples of 36.
The Rebbe also commemorated the 45th anniversary of the arrival of the previous Rebbe in America. He explained that this day (the 9th of Adar I) transmitted to us the ability to spread the teachings of Torah in the Western Hemisphere, as well as in the rest of the world.
The Rebbe continued his practice of analyzing selected sections of Rambam’s Mishneh Torah, as well as emphasizing the importance of expanding the study of Rambam and organizing more celebrations in honor of the 850th anniversary of the Rambam’s birth.
In addition to the translations of the Rebbe’s discourses we have included several letters issued by the Rebbe during the month of Nissan, 5745.
From time to time during the year, the Rebbe discusses topics which have special significance to the general Jewish public in areas of current Jewish events, Torah study, philosophy or the enhanced observance of Jewish life. We give special attention to such subjects and issue timely essays devoted solely to the particular topic of importance.
In this volume we have included three such essays: A Coin of Fire, Mesirus Nefesh/Russian Jewry and Study of Rambam — One Chapter a Day. The first deals with enthusiasm in the mitzvah of Tzedakah, the second with the enviable trait of true self-sacrifice shown by contemporary Russian Jewry, and the third stresses the importance of learning one chapter of Rambam daily, by those who cannot study three chapters a day.
The monumental task undertaken by Sichos In English in the area of Rambam translations is nearing completion with the Sefer HaMitzvos comprising 170 tapes and Mishnah Torah over 500 tapes — all of these are being made available to the general public. This is in addition to the scores of cities where, thanks to Sichos In English, you can now “Dial-a-Rambam,” and study Rambam over the telephone.
All this is in addition to our regular publication of Sichos In English, Likkutei Dibburim in English, and more recently, the Chassidic discourses of the previous Rebbe in English.
Our fervent hope is to make the light of Torah accessible to a much wider circle of Jewish readers, to disseminate the wellsprings of Chassidus and to bring new inspiration and vitality into the daily lives of English-speaking Jews. The accomplishment of this goal will be our greatest satisfaction and reward.
Rosh Chodesh Kislev, 5747
ISBN 0-8266-0585-0
