This Beis Tammuz marks 85 years since the Rebbe’s first Farbrengen in 770 upon arriving in America. With 85 being the gematria of פה (mouth, speech), surely this is a perfect time to tune in deeply to the Rebbe’s Farbrengens, which is the Rebbe’s primary way of speaking to all of us.

The Rebbe held 38 farbrengens on Shabbos Parshas Shelach (see image below for a full list). The sichos from these farbrengens span over 1,000 pages in the Yiddish Hanochos (transcripts) in Sichos Kodesh, and around 120 pages in the 12 English Hanochos published by Sichos in English.

Each farbrengen is a priceless treasure. It was the highlight of the week for those fortunate to be present when the Rebbe farbrenged. Nowadays, these farbrengens are preserved in thousands of pages, waiting to be relived by every chossid.

To get a taste of these farbrengens (Some selected highlights appear below), visit https://taste.study/shelach to explore this week’s “Taste”. You can download and print it for Shabbos, with curated suggestions for which farbrengens to learn, along with a qr code to access each one.

BONUS: In honor of 28 Sivan, there is a special list at the end of the booklet, which contains the english words the Rebbe said at the Shelach Farbrengens. Words like “air condition”, “brunch”, “siri” and much more! 

To receive the “Taste” each week, subscribe for free at https://taste.study/subscribe

May we merit to once again experience a farbrengen with the Rebbe—now!

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Selected excerpts from this edition of the “Taste”

Shabbos Parshas Shelach 5740

In order to succeed in our involvement in the world and with other Jews, spying is necessary. In order to influence someone, it is necessary to appreciate his level, to understand what his position is so that Torah can be presented in a form that relates to him. To cite a gross example, if a child only understands English and someone should try to educate him in Hebrew, arguing that it is the holy tongue, the language in which the Heavens and the Earth were created, he would not succeed. Rather, the child must be taught in English. In this manner, one will be successful, fulfilling the command, “And you shall teach your children the students.”

Shabbos Parshas Shelach 5742

In the light of the above, we see that Shabbos Mevorchim Tammuz is the proper time for good resolutions in spreading Judaism and Chassidus in a manner transcending limitations as it is brought down within limits. Obviously, the resolutions alone are not enough, and the main thing is to translate them into action.

There is a special distinction in all of the above from the date on which Rosh Chodesh falls out this year Monday (and Tuesday). This means that there is an intervening day between Shabbos and Rosh Chodesh Tammuz. When there are no intervening days, the preparations to Rosh Chodesh on Erev Rosh Chodesh (which is Shabbos) are in the manner of service on Shabbos “Shabbos is sanctified of itself.” But when there is an intervening day between Shabbos Mevorchim and Rosh Chodesh, the preparations to Rosh Chodesh made on Erev Rosh Chodesh (which is now weekday) are through man’s efforts. And a person prefers one measure of his own to nine measures of his friend (i.e. acquired through no personal effort).
May it be G-d’s will that each Jew utilize the opportunity of Shabbos Mevorchim Tammuz to make good resolutions concerning all the above, and to translate them into deed.