* Translated by Janine Muller Sherr
1) Today, the 18th of Elul, is the birthday of the Ba’al Shem Tov, founder of the Chasidic movement. The Ba’al Shem Tov transformed the Jewish world. During a period of intense persecution, he offered love and joy to the “simple” Jew and his teachings brought hope and encouragement to the masses.
2) On the exact same date, about 50 years later, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi was born. He established the Chabad branch of Chasidism (Chabad is the acronym of the words, Chochmah, Bina, and Da’at).
3) Therefore, today is known as the “birthday of the two great lights”— the Ba’al Shem Tov and Rabbi Shneur Zalman. In fact, today’s date is referred to as “Chai Elul,” the word “chai” meaning life. These two great luminaries added so much joy and light to the Jewish world. This day is also meant to add joy to our own experience of the month of Elul. Although this month is dedicated to soul-searching, we should undergo this process with love and a desire to draw closer to God.
4) There are 12 days between now and Rosh Hashanah. There is a tradition that these 12 days correspond to the 12 months of year that has passed, with each day offering us the opportunity to reflect upon and repair one of those months.
5) We may not be experts on the philosophy of Chasidism, and perhaps we don’t understand much of its teachings, but on this day each one of us can try to connect to an aspect of Chasidism that appeals to us—a Chasidic melody or story, or a book related to Chasidism that we can appreciate and enjoy. But mainly we should try to connect to the values of these two great visionaries, who were filled with holiness, joy, and love. The births of these two outstanding leaders changed the course of the Jewish world and brought us many gifts. Mazal Tov.
