Crowd Mesmerized by Fascinating Peek Into Rashi Sichos

A large crowd gathered in Crown Heights ahead of Gimmel Tammuz for a special event marking 60 years since the Rebbe began explaining Rashi on the parsha. The event included addresses by experts in the Rebbe’s “Rashi Sichos” and a fascinating panel on the history and background of those special sichos.

A special symposium took place on Thursday evening, Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, dedicated to the revolutionary approach that the Rebbe pioneered in explaining Rashi’s commentary on the Torah. It marked sixty years since the Rebbe began elucidating a section of Rashi from the weekly parsha at every Shabbos farbrengen, beginning in 5725.

The event featured leading experts in the Rebbe’s Torah, with a focus on his unique methodology in learning Rashi on Chumash. Rabbi Tuvia Bloy, author of Klalei Rashi, participated via a special broadcast from Eretz Yisroel. Rabbi Avraham Baruch Pevzner, a prolific author of seforim on the Rebbe’s teachings, presented a chiddush the Rebbe revealed in Rashi’s commentary. A panel discussion followed, combining in-depth analysis of the Rebbe’s derech halimud with personal recollections from those who witnessed the Rashi sichos in 770.

Among the participants was Rabbi Nachman Shapiro, who for many years prepared the weekly hanachos that were edited by the Rebbe, including those on Rashi. Rabbi Aharon Shapira, Rav of Pardes Katz in Bnei Brak and head of the Mesivta d’Rashi Institute, brought his extensive experience annotating and publishing meforshim on Rashi, along with his deep knowledge of the Rebbe’s teachings. Rabbi Michoel Aharon Seligson, mashpia in Oholei Torah Mesivta and renowned expert on the history of Dor Hashvi’i, contributed significant insight. Rabbi Shalom Dovber Avtzon, author of the Rebbeim Biography Series and a respected authority on Chabad history, shared historical context. Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Katzman, a mashpia in Crown Heights, offered personal experiences drawn from years of hearing and living with the Rashi sichos.

Originally scheduled for the Kollel Menachem building, the event was relocated to the Zal of Chovevei Torah at 885 Eastern Parkway due to a local power outage affecting parts of Crown Heights.

The evening concluded with maariv and a farbrengen in preparation for Gimmel Tammuz.

Organized by the Va’ad HaMosifin of Crown Heights, the symposium inspired participants with renewed energy and dedication to learning the Rebbe’s Torah, particularly the Rashi sichos. The hope was expressed that this chayus will hasten the time when we are reunited with the Rebbe and merit to hear Torah chadasha from Moshiach Tzidkeinu with the complete geulah.

FULL REPLAY: