Publication on Basi Legani in the words of the Rebbe

By COLlive staff

Yad Menachem, a non-profit organization that focuses on innovative solutions to disseminate the Rebbe’s teachings to the international community, published Umedayeik BaMaamar, a publication by Basi Legani 5722 in the original Yiddish wording of the Rebbe, which is under review in relation to Yud Shevat this year.

Yad Menachem, directed by Rabbi Velvel adler, published the publication Basi Legani first in 5776 on Basi Legani 5716, and since then publishes a new article every year on Basi Legani of every year.

The extensive research and writing of Sefer is carried out primarily by the director of Yad Menachem, Rabbi Velvel Adler.

Following the example of Baal Shem Tov, the custom of our Rabbiim has always been to recite their Maamorim (Hasidic Discourse) in the Yiddish language; and that the speeches be transcribed and published in Hebrew.

Beginning with Rabbi Mitteler and continuing to the previous Rebbe, the speeches were generally transcribed by each Rebbe personally. The Rebbe returned as the Alter Rebbe (similar to Baal Shem Tov and Mezritcher Magid) approached – for certain venerable Chassidim to serve as the primary transcriptionists. Over the years, the Rebbe has personally revised the transcripts of approximately 15% of the speeches he has given. The majority, however, are studied from their unedited transcripts, according to the above custom.

In a speech of 5741, however, discussing the virtues of the Yiddish precursor of “Lessons from Tanya,” the Rebbe made an interesting statement (Likutei Sichos vol. 21, p. 448): “In order to understand the true intention of our Rabbiim’s “Divrei Torah”, it is not enough to study them as they have been translated into Loshon HaKodesh (Hebrew) by others, we must instead examine the words they spoke in Yiddish. .

With that in mind, Umedayeik BaMaamar provides a full transcription of Rebbe’s original Yiddish wording of Basi Legani speech 5722, which is under review as part of Yud Shevat this year. The result of extensive research, the Sefer contains full notation and commentary, revealing hundreds of previously unknown sources the Rebbe seems to cite, often verbatim, and demonstrates how each nuance of speech adds new layers of meaning.

Among the many topics that are explored in this year’s Sefer is the Rebbe’s explanation of the words of Ne’ilah and Hochanos “Otzarcha HaTov Lanu Tiftach”, and the unusual way in which the Rebbe pauses between the words “Otzarcha HaTov” and “Lanu Tiftach”, apparently contrary to Rabbi Frierdiker’s instruction to connect the words “HaTov” and “Lanu”. The discussion continues at length in the addendum on the back of the Sefer called Milu’im (for note 68), and ends with a new suggestion on how the Rebbe may interpret Basi Legani 5710 and the above instruction from the Frierdiker Rebbe.

Click here to download the full publication.