“Chai Elul” (Hebrew for “the 18th of Elul,” also meaning “the Vitality of Elul”) is celebrated by the Chassidic community as the birthday of the “two great luminaries” – Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Chassidism; and Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (the Alter Rebbe), the founder of Chabad.
It’s customary to wish each other “Gut Yom Tov!” and conduct joyous gatherings – farbrengens, or itvaaduyos (in Hebrew).
From the Rebbe’s explanations:
– The Baal Shem Tov’s distinctive approach to Torah study was apparent well before he emerged as a teacher and leader. As a youth, he assisted in a cheder, where he helped young children learn the aleph-bet. The Alter Rebbe followed a similar path. He also made significant contributions to Torah study long before he became a recognized leader. He established classes for scholars at all levels, accepting students who were not only far from his own advanced understanding but even below the expected standard for a student.
Why? The varying levels in his cheders highlighted a core principle: that Torah study must be adapted to the individual’s understanding.
This principle gives us the strength and the incentive to carry on in our own service of Torah and mitzvot. Without it, we might become disillusioned. After all, Torah teaches us that no matter how much effort we put into the study of Torah, and no matter how much we achieve, whatever we learn will be “naught as compared to the Torah of Moshiach”…
We should know that G‑d only asks according to our own abilities.
He demands service that is relative to the powers He has given. He asks us to serve Him “Bechal Me’odecha” – “with all your might”, meaning we must surpass and transcend our nature. But He specifies, “Your might” — a service that transcends your nature. There is no arbitrary scale. Each one of us is judged individually. What is transcendent for one of us may lie within the normal confines of the service of another. Through transcending our own nature, each one according to his own individual level, we bring about a revelation of G‑d’s transcendent power…
The same principle applies to the present occasion. “Chai Elul” is the birthday of the Alter Rebbe and the Baal Shem Tov. The Arizal explains that the spiritual influences of every past event can recur every year: “These days were remembered and carried out”. If a holiday or occasion is commemorated properly, all the G‑dly energies generated the first time will be brought into effect again.
However, even when we commemorate an event properly, we must be a vessel to receive these revelations. How can we do so when the rungs of the Baal Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe far surpass our own? Again, “G‑d only asks according to our strength.” When we gather together and repeat their Torah (and that of their successors) “these days are remembered.” The spiritual energies are regenerated and we are able to receive them.
Based on the Rebbe’s talk on Chai Elul, 5739 (1979). Free translation.
