Chai Elul: Birthday of the Alter Rebbe and Baal Shem Tov

Today, Chai Elul, the 18th day of Elul, is the birthday of the two great luminaries, the Baal Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe.

For generations, the date of Chai Elul as being an auspicious day was unknown to Chassidim; it was only revealed to the Rebbeim. On Chai Elul 5700/1940, the Frierdiker Rebbe mentioned that he had b’kaballah from his father and his father from his father, and so on, that this was the day that the two great luminaries were born. The Baal Shem Tov in the year (נחת) 5458/1698, and the Alter Rebbe in the year 5505/1745 (קהת).

From that point on, it became known that Chai Elul is the day of the birth of the two luminaries. Chai Elul has become a day of farbrengen, telling Chassidishe stories, and strengthening the ways of Chassidus in general, and ahavas Yisroel in particular, taking on oneself new hachlatos about setting aside time for learning Torah – nigleh and Chassidus.

The cheshbon tzedek that one makes during the month of Elul is most important during the final 12 days of the month, that each of those twelve days counts against one month of the year, with Chai Elul corresponding to Tishrei, the 19th to MarCheshvan, and so on.

Until 5731/1971, the Rebbe would farbreng on Chai Elul only when it would fall on Shabbos. From that year and on, he would farbreng every year until 5748/1988, and at that farbrengen there would generally be a ma’amar as well. After that year there would generally be a sicha on that day.

In the Rebbe’s minyan – if there was no chosson present – they would generally say tachanun. When someone asked the Rebbe if tachanun is said, he responded: Not to say tachanun is a question of hergesh, inner feeling. If one asks, it’s a sign that the feeling is lacking.

The Rebbe Rashab and Frierdiker Rebbe would wish “Gut Yom Tov” on this day. On Chai Elul, 5712/1952, the Rebbe ended the frabrengen by saying that “The Frierdiker Rebbe and Rebbe Rashab would wish others a Gut Yom Tov on this day,” and then the Rebbe concluded, “Gut Yom Tov!”

Ashreinu playlist includes audio clips from the Rebbe’s Chai Elul Farbrengens, including history, practical instructions, Nigunim and lessons relating to Chai Elul. Listen Here.

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