[Bolivke]

[The first appearance of the Memorandum below, dated 27 Menachem Av, 5656 [1896], and published in honor of 24 Teves, 5711 [1951], was introduced by the following publisher's foreword, which was written by the Rebbe a few weeks before formally consenting to accept the mantle of leadership:]

17 Teves, 5711 [1951]

Brooklyn, N.Y.

This booklet [Likkut 32] is being published in connection with the approach of Chaf-Daled Teves (May this date bring us blessings!), the festive anniversary of the passing of the Alter Rebbe. On this day it is customary to distribute the tractates of the Shas for study, as is explained in the [third] supplement to this booklet.

The present booklet comprises: (a) an episode transmitted by the Alter Rebbe, as recorded in a Memorandum of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe [Rayatz]; (b) by way of supplement, a passage written by the Alter Rebbe immediately before his passing;* (c) a biographical outline of the Alter Rebbe; (d) a notification concerning chalukas haShas, the distribution of Talmudic tractates for study. The last three items appeared in the booklet that was issued in honor of Chaf-Daled Teves 5709 (1949).

Every year my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe [Rayatz] (May I serve as an atonement for his resting place!), took part in this distribution, and last year he undertook to study Tractate Sukkah.

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All twelve months of this year of the histalkus** are most propitious for strengthening one's bonds of hiskashrus with our Nasi -- my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe [Rayatz].

Participating in this distribution, a practice which the Rebbe [Rayatz] actively fostered and disseminated, will -- in addition to its other merits -- play its part in fortifying this hiskashrus, so that we will proceed*** "in a straight path, in one of his paths that he has shown us, and we will walk in his ways forevermore."

Menachem Schneerson

Notes:

Dated 27 Menachem Av, 5656 (1896): The Rebbe Rayatz had just turned 16.

17 Teves: Since the numerical equivalent of tov is 17, this date appears in the original as tov Teves (lit., "the good of Teves").

The festive anniversary of the passing: In the original Heb./Aram., yom hahillula.

On this day it is customary: From the year 5663 (1902) onwards, because of lack of time on Yud-Tes Kislev, this distribution of the tractates (chalukas haShas) in Lubavitch was carried out on the 24th of Teves. In 5713 (1952), fifty years later, the Rebbe restored the custom in various places to its original date, Yud-Tes Kislev.

* This passage appeared in Siddur Meah Shearim, Vol. II, p. 5, and in Ginzei Nistaros, Vol. III, p. 25. [For Eng. version, see: R. Nissan Mindel, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, Vol. I, p. 259.]

** Concerning [contact that was made with the soul of] Shmuel the Prophet [after his passing], the Gemara (Shabbos 152b) says: "It was within twelve months." In fact this is possible after that time, too, for (a) through his Torah study and his avodah a Jew can attain the level of being "under the Throne of Glory" (see Chiddushei Aggados of Maharsha, ad loc.), and even higher; (b) when a soul so desires, it can descend at a later time, too (see Tosafos on Shabbos 153a, s.v. v'nishmaso -- and the shepherds of Israel certainly so desire, for they never forsake their flock (as my revered father-in-law wrote in a letter concerning his father, the Rebbe Rashab [see Igros Kodesh (Letters) of the Rebbe Rayatz, Vol. I, Letter 72; for Eng. translation, see the letter introducing Chapter 31 above]). Obviously, however, this is not so easily accomplished. At any rate, that will suffice on the subject for the moment.

*** Iggeres HaKodesh of the Alter Rebbe, Epistle 27 [in Lessons In Tanya, Vol. V, p. 169].