Nechama Lifshitz, a Yiddish language arts performer behind the Iron Curtain, became a key representative of Soviet Jewish culture and a world-famous refusenik. In a letter to her, the Rebbe drew a key distinction between a Yiddishe and a secular holiday.
Nechama Lifshitz, a Yiddish language arts performer behind the Iron Curtain, became a key representative of Soviet Jewish culture and a world-famous refusenik. When she was finally allowed to emigrate to Eretz Yisroel, she corresponded with the Rebbe.
In one letter, dated 10 Adar 1 5730, the Rebbe wrote that despite the importance of the Yiddishe heart, “Yiddishkeit must express itself in practical action.”
The Rebbe then drew a distinction between a Yiddishe and a secular holiday:
“With Shabbos and yom tov, the day is entirely different than the rest of the week. Unlike other nations, by whom the difference is merely between a workday and a day of rest, Yidden categorize them as weekdays versus holy days. The day is holy, not mundane. Resting on that day is only a detail, and a result of the kedusha…”
(Igros Kodesh, Vol. 26 p. 328)
From The Weekly Farbrengen by Merkaz Anash
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