Tonight, the eve of December 25th is Nittel Nacht, observed by not learning Torah. Where does the name ‘Nittel’ come from, and what are some of the customs of the night?

War Summary, Day 443: Hostage deal not imminent, Syria’s new leader reiterates he won’t attack Israel, IDF helicopter that crashed during Yom Kippur war in Syria recovered,  Yemen increases their drone and missile attacks, Arab residents of Yerushalayim arrested for spying for Hezbollah, and there is  concern about Egypt’s unusual military buildup.

Chabad of Houston, Texas, celebrated the Chag Hageulah of Yud Tes Kislev with guest speaker from New Orleans, LA, Rabbi Yossi Nemes inspiring the crowd, followed by a grand Farbrengen that lasted many hours.

Hundreds of Yidden from across Boro Park gathered on Motzei Shabbos at Heichel Menachem’s 29th annual Melave Malka for an evening of inspiration in Chassidus with leading rabbonim and mashpiim, and guest mashpia from Eretz Yisroel, R’ Fitche Ofen, who farbrenged until 2 am.

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On Thursday, the annual Tzama events kicked off in honor of Yud Tes Kislev with a record-breaking number of people joining for the concerts, bargain-priced Chassidus Seforim, art exhibitions, and an extensive program for yeshiva bochurim.

The Jewish Children’s Museum invites the Crown Heights community to an extraordinary “Chanukah on the Parkway” evening on Chanukah this Wednesday featuring live music, fresh donuts and of course the highlight of the night—the lighting of the menorah.

In Manchester, England this past Thursday, Menahel of Brunoy’s Yeshiva, Rabbi Zalman Segal farbrenged for Yud Tes Kislev with Chassidim from various backgrounds until early morning, when they concluded with joyous dancing.

Ahead of Yud Tes Kislev, the 8,551st edition of Tanya was printed and taught at the New York State Executive Mansion in Albany, NY. Governor Kathy Hochul and many other politicians and activists participated in the special printing.

On Erev Yud Tes Kislev, talmidim of Cheder Ohr Menachem gathered for a grand celebration honoring the Alter Rebbe’s Chag Hageula. A lavish Yom Tov Seuda was served, adding to the royal ambiance of Rosh Hashana L’chassidus.

A large fire broke out at the Ohr Chaya Mushka Seminary in Yerushalayim this morning, with over 50 students initially evacuated to local hospitals, two of whom were in moderate condition. Firefighters swiftly brought the fire under control, and most students who were hospitalized have since been discharged.

In honor of Yud Tes Kislev, Yaldei Hashluchim are invited to join thousands of their fellow shluchim learning Mishnayos and Tanya by heart, with Merkos 302’s MyShliach MBP Program, purifying the world, and receiving exciting rewards while they’re at it.

On Motzei Shabbos, shluchim and sons from Maryland, DC, and Virginia came together for learning and a special Melave Malka Farbrengen for Yud Tes-Chof Kislev. The special program was arranged and hosted by Chabad of Bethesda as part of their weekly Avos U’Bonim Motzei Shabbos learning.

On Friday night, a Houthi ballistic missile managed to evade three of Israel’s most sophisticated missile interceptors. Miraculously, the missile landed in an empty playground in Yaffo, causing only minimal indirect injuries. The location: Between Baal Shem Tov St. and Mezritcher Maggid St. near Chabad St.

In observation of “Yud Tes Kislev Haaroch,” farbrengens are being held this evening throughout 770. In the small zal upstairs, Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Rabbi Shmuly Avtzon, and Harav Yosef Braun were seen farbrenging together.

A grand event in Moscow, celebrating the Chag Hageulah of the Alter Rebbe and 25 years of the Marina Roscha shul, was attended by a large crowd and enriched by the Neshama choir from Eretz Yisroel. The Rebbe’s Chalukas Hashas card and a dollar were awarded at the event.

Boys and girls, young and old, of the Morristown anash community celebrated a festive Yud Tes Kislev. Rabbi Sholom Moshe Paltiel of Port Washington inspired Nshei, followed by a farbrengen with Anash. The Cheder held exciting activities thoughout the day and the Bochurim farbrengened at the Ohel.

Over half a year after Dovid Strober, an ‘Or Avner Chabad’ graduate from Vinnytsia, Ukraine went missing after going to battle on the front lines of war, DNA testing confirmed that he had fallen in a minefield and his body was brought back for a levaya before Shabbos.

A unique Yud Tes Kislev Melave Malka and Farbrengen was held at F.R.E.E of Brighton Beach, led by Rabbi Boruch Lepkivker of Crown Heights who inspired the crowd in their native language, Russian, and highlighted how Chassidus is available in many languages and we must take advantage of it.

Recent fortifications to the Chabad Shul in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, proved invaluable when a nearby Russian shelling damaged the main door but caused minimal harm to the building overall.

At the Miami Yeshiva, Rabbi Leib Shapiro led a lively and energetic Yud Tes Kislev farbrengen with bochurim and anash about the importance of learning Chassidus, followed by lively singing and dancing.

Following two previous incidents this year, this Friday for the third time, police responded to reports of gunfire in the middle of the night at Bais Chaya Mushka Girls Elementary School in Toronto. There are no injuries and investigations are ongoing.