The Yom Tov of Hei Teves marks a defining moment in Dor Hashvi’i and has been joyously celebrated by Chassidim around the world for almost forty years. The federal court’s ruling in favor of the Rebbe and, by extension, the Chassidim, marked the climactic peak of Lubavitch’s 250-year journey. The Rebbe’s clearly evident pain was turned to joy, fulfilling the words “Vatechi ruach Yaakov avihem” – the Rebbe’s spirit had been revived.

Although the entire saga ultimately played out in a U.S. federal courtroom, it is clear that the case was never really about courts or lawyers. Indeed, the Rebbe specifically asked that Chassidim not focus on what had transpired in court over the year and a half of litigation. As we celebrate Hei Teves this year, it is imperative to remember that we are not celebrating a legal victory of Lubavitch in the court system, but rather something far deeper and more significant.

As we examine the sichos from the week of Hei Teves, the period of the court case, and the summer preceding it, it becomes quite clear that Hei Teves marked the removal of a heavenly kitrug on the Chabad movement and on the Rebbe’s work of spreading Yiddishkeit and Chassidus throughout the world to bring about the ultimate Geulah.

The Rebbe spoke at great length about the kitrug on the Alter Rebbe prior to Yud-Tes Kislev, and several times during the seforim episode the Rebbe addressed the claim raised by the opposing side that Agudas Chabad was not active. Although the Rebbe demonstrated again and again how baseless this accusation was, he nevertheless called upon Chassidim to intensify their efforts in hafotzas hama’ayonos in unprecedented ways. 

It was during this period that the Rebbe spoke fervently about establishing Chabad Houses in every corner of the globe. In addition, the Rebbe spoke extensively about printing Chassidus. As the Rebbe said (Shabbos Chanukah 5746): “But even if people will not learn from them, I am not intimidated. I will continue printing more and more, in the spirit of ‘Ka’asher ye’anu oso, kein yirbeh vechein yifrotz.’”

These words were almost a clear indication that a kitrug had formed on high following the Rebbe’s unparalleled breakthroughs in disseminating Chassidus.

It was clear that the Rebbe was not concerned about monetary loss, nor even only the sentimental or spiritual value of the seforim. The Rebbe spoke about the seforim as “a part of the life of Nessi Doreinu,” and that removing them from their rightful home was essentially a breach upon that life, chas v’shalom. 

“There is no such thing as yerushah in this instance,” the Rebbe exclaimed (Farbrengen 15 Tammuz 5745). “The Rebbe’s life continues to this day. In fact, he is more alive now than during his physical lifetime on earth!”

At this critical time, while the trial against the Rebbe was still ongoing, the Rebbe was, so to speak, in a state of ‘imprisonment’ – for the first time seemingly restricted and limited regarding the tremendous work he had introduced to the world over the previous thirty-seven years. 

This was not a simple complaint, but a full-fledged kitrug milma’alah regarding the Rebbe’s very essence and shlichus: to bring the world to Moshiach. The kitrug from above, and its reflection here in this world, challenged the Rebbe’s entire Nesius and his role in preparing Dor Hashvi’i for the Geulah. 

This was the Satan using a family member not merely to challenge the Rebbe, but to challenge the Rebbe as the leader of Klal Yisroel and the one leading the entire world toward the times of Moshiach. The complaint was about the Rebbe’s entire essence and mission.

Indeed, when we examine the Rebbe’s reaction on Hei Teves itself, the depth becomes even clearer. In the sicha after Mincha that day, the Rebbe compared the moment to the arrest and liberation of the Alter Rebbe.

Then, on the following day, in one of the most remarkable displays in the history of the Rebbe’s Nesius, the Rebbe announced that he would be traveling to the Ohel, and that those who wished could send along a letter with their name and their mother’s name. It was an eis ratzon to request whatever one needed. 

Hundreds of thousands of letters poured in, and the Rebbe brought thirteen bags of pidyonos to the Ohel. [In the aftermath, countless revealed miracles were reported from that time.]

As we now begin the fortieth year of Hei Teves, it is crucial to recall the Rebbe’s strong words and insistence that we remain fully connected to the Frierdiker Rebbe, despite the many decades that have passed since Yud Shvat. 

“Rachmana l’tzlan to think that because so many years have passed, something has changed. On the contrary! Each and every year, our connection with the Frierdiker Rebbe only intensifies. To say that it has been thirty-five years that the Frierdiker Rebbe is not here is an utter lie — sheker gomur! Each year, the Rebbe becomes more alive and more active in our midst.” (Yechidus Klolis 15 Tammuz 5745)

For us Chassidim, the victory of Hei Teves – later solidified even through the verdict of a non-Jewish judge – testifies that the Nesius of the Rebbe continues to grow stronger and stronger. The powerful sichos spoken in the early days of the saga stand truer today than ever. 

Ultimately, of course, it is far from enough. We daven and yearn for the day of the ultimate Didan Notzach, when all of Golus will be defeated and we will march together with the Rebbe to the Geulah, along with all the remaining seforim, holy manuscripts, and sacred artifacts of the Rebbeim still in captivity.

May it be teikef u’miyad mamash.