| Today is: Friday, Shvat 10, 5772 · February 3, 2012
Yud Shevat
• "Yud Shevat" Yahrtzeit observances
Chabad Chassidim observe the customs of the yahrtzeit (anniversary of the passing) of the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn (1880-1950), as established by his son-in-law, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-1994), who succeeded him as Rebbe following his passing on the 10th of Shevat in 1950. Link: A Letter from the Lubavitcher Rebbe outlining his suggested observances for Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak's first yahrtzeit.
• Passing of the Rashash (1777)
Rabbi Shalom Sharabi, known by his name's acronym, the RaShaSH, was born in Yemen, and as a young man immigrated to Israel. He was quickly recognized for his piety and scholarship, especially in the area of Jewish mysticism, and was appointed to be dean of the famed Kabbalistic learning center in the Old City of Jerusalem, the Yeshivat ha-Mekubbalim. He authored many works, mostly based on the teachings of the great kabbalist, Rabbi Isaac Luria, the Ari. Rabbi Sharabi's most famous work is a commentary on the prayerbook, replete with kabbalistic meditations. His mystical works are studied by kabbalists to this very day. He is also considered to be a foremost authority on Yemenite Jewish traditions and customs. Link: The Kabbalah
• Passing of Rebbetzin Rivkah (1914)
Rebbetzin Rivkah Schneerson was born in Lubavitch in 1833; her maternal grandfather was Rabbi DovBer, the 2nd Rebbe of Chabad-Lubavitch. In 1849 she married her first cousin, Rabbi Shmuel, who later became the fourth Lubavitcher Rebbe. For many years Rebbetzin Rivkah, who survived her husband by 33 years, was the esteemed matriarch of Lubavitch, and Chassidim frequented her home to listen to her accounts of the early years of Lubavitch. She is the source of many of the stories recorded in the talks, letters and memoirs of her grandson, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak (the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe). The Beth Rivkah network of girls' schools, founded by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak in the 1940's, are named after her.
• Yahrtzeit of R. Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn (1950)
The sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, passed away on Shabbat morning, the 10th of Shevat, of the year 5710 from creation (1950) Links: A brief biography; more about Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak; works authored by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak.
• Lubavitcher Rebbe formally assumes leadership (1951)
[When Achashverosh declared that he would] "do the will of each and every one" (Esther 1:8), G-d said: "Wicked one! If two people desire to marry the same woman, can she marry both of them? If there are two sailing ships out in the ocean, and one requires a southern wind and the other requires a northern wind, could one wind move them both? Tomorrow, two people will come to you, Mordechai and Haman; could you satisfy both, but to promote the one and hang the other...? The only one who can 'do the will of each and every one' is G-d, of whom it is written (Psalms 145:16) "You open Your Hand, and satisfy every life and will...'"
- Midrash Rabbah, Esther 2
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