The Famous Sicha

The Rebbe Spoke a famous sicha on the 28th of Nissan 5751 (1991), in which he expressed his pain about the indifference regarding bringing Moshiach, and placed responsibility on the listeners to act for his coming: "The only thing I can still do is hand this over to each of you - do everything in your power to bring Moshiach in actual reality." Later, the Rebbe referred to this talk as "The Famous Talk," and since then this name has spread among Chabad Chassidim as the title for this discourse.

The talk caused great awakening among the Chassidim regarding bringing the redemption, and continues to serve as a prominent topic in Chabad discourse from various aspects of discussing its meaning and how to fulfill its demands. Many initiatives and actions regarding hastening the redemption were done in its wake, some of which received positive responses and encouragement from the Rebbe.

BackgroundEdit

From the day he assumed leadership, the Rebbe announced that our generation would merit the redemption. Our work is to act to hasten the redemption through fulfilling Torah and mitzvos, particularly spreading Judaism and its teachings. Gradually, throughout his years of leadership, the Rebbe increasingly raised the expectation for redemption and increasingly encouraged and pushed to do the maximum to bring it. Over the years, the Rebbe often quoted Maimonides regarding every person's obligation to act, even with a small deed, which has the power to bring redemption: "Every person should see themselves throughout the year as half meritorious and half guilty, and so too the whole world is half meritorious and half guilty... One who performs one mitzvah tips themselves and the entire world to the side of merit, and brings salvation and rescue to themselves and others."

Approaching the year 5751 (1991), the Rebbe announced that the Hebrew letters of this year stand for "This will be a year I will show wonders," in the language of the verse prophesying the future redemption: "As in the days of your exodus from Egypt, I will show wonders." Later, when the Persian Gulf conflict began and the Gulf War broke out in its wake, the Rebbe called not to fear and promised that this war would have great miracles. The Rebbe emphasized that the war events were an exact fulfillment of the Midrash in Yalkut Shimoni about the "year that King Moshiach is revealed."

After the war ended - in the months of Adar and Nissan 5751 - the Rebbe called to contemplate the revealed miracles that occurred in it, and explained that they were even greater than the miracles of Purim. In a general audience on the 26th of Nissan, two days before giving the Famous Talk, the Rebbe extensively explained the revealed miracles seen in this period, both in the Gulf War and in additional events - such as the dissolution of the Soviet Union - and explained that a Jew needs to recognize these miracles, "until he is not embarrassed to break out in dance because of the revealed miracles!"

Two days later - on Thursday night, the eve of the 28th of Nissan 5751, after communal evening prayers with the Chassidim - the Rebbe gave the Famous Talk from the prayer platform.

Content of the TalkEdit

The Rebbe opened the talk by explaining the day's significance while emphasizing its connection to redemption: The year 5751 - whose letters stand for "This will be a year I will show wonders," hinting to wonders that will occur in the redemption; in this year itself in the month of Nissan - about which our Sages said: "In Nissan they were redeemed and in Nissan they will be redeemed," in this month itself on the 27th day which is three times three times three - hinting to a strengthening in the matter of the month (redemption), and in this itself a triple strengthening; the night of the 28th of the month - meaning strength and power; the 12th day of the Omer - corresponding to the number of tribes; the night of the 13th of the Omer - numerically equivalent to "one," hinting to G-d's unity that will be revealed in the redemption; and so he detailed the virtues of the coming days.

Then the Rebbe continued and said:

"Based on what was said above about emphasizing the matter of redemption (especially) at this time - a very great wonder arises: How is it possible that despite all these matters - they still haven't brought about the coming of our righteous Moshiach in actual reality?!... Something that is completely incomprehensible!
And an additional wonder - that ten (and many tens) of Jews gather together, and at an auspicious time regarding redemption, and nevertheless, they are not making noise to bring about Moshiach's immediate coming, and it is not impossible for them, Heaven forbid, that Moshiach won't come tonight, and also tomorrow Moshiach won't come, and also the day after tomorrow our righteous Moshiach won't come, Heaven forbid!!
Even when they cry out 'Until when' - it is only because of the command etc., and if they had intended and requested and cried out truthfully, certainly and certainly Moshiach would have already come!!
What else can I do so that all Jews will make noise and cry out truthfully and act to bring Moshiach in actuality, after everything that has been done until now has not helped, and the proof is that we are still in exile, and moreover - in an inner exile regarding matters of divine service.
The only thing I can do - is hand over the matter to you: Do everything in your power - matters that are in a way of 'lights of Tohu,' but in 'vessels of Tikun' - to bring our righteous Moshiach immediately in actual reality!
...And I have done my part, and from here on you do everything in your power.
May it be G-d's will that there be found among you one, two, three, who will devise a plan what to do and how to do it, and moreover - and this is the main thing - that they will act to bring about the true and complete redemption in actual reality, immediately and literally."

During the talk, the Rebbe used stronger expressions, with the strongest being - that instead of the words "has not helped," the Rebbe said "I don't know what to do, since everything I have done until today was in vain and for nothing."

The conversation and strong expressions shocked the audience, and the echoes of the storm that followed were felt throughout the Jewish world.

Immediately after the talk, all those present spontaneously erupted in cries of "Ad Mosai" (Until when) which later turned into singing the tune 'Ad Mosai', as well as cries of "Moshiach Now." Rabbi Shneiur Zalman Gourary, who stood beneath the Rebbe's platform, was among the first to receive a dollar for tzedakah after the talk, and when the Rebbe gave him the dollar, he commented on the words: "It did not touch and did not harm."

When Rabbi Chaim Baruch Halberstam who managed WLCC released the recording of the talk, it was played over and over again in 770. That night, meetings and farbrengens were held in 770 in an attempt to understand exactly what the Rebbe meant in his demand during the talk. The next day - Friday, when it is customary each week to go out for Mivtza Tefillin - tanks went out to reinforce the activity and spread the topic of geulah. On the report of the tanks' activities, the Rebbe replied: "Received with thanks and may the action continue and increase, and the time is appropriate and the matter. I will mention it at the tziyun (grave)."

During Friday, the edited talk was released from the Rebbe.

In Eretz Yisrael, the talk was heard on Friday morning, and by the onset of Shabbat, news of it had spread, and it was decided to hold an emergency gathering in Beit Menachem synagogue in Kfar Chabad for all Chabad chassidim in the country. At this gathering too, rabbis and mashpiim spoke in an attempt to understand the Rebbe's intention.

The Rebbe Returns and Transfers the ResponsibilityEdit

Many became confused following the talk, fearing that the Rebbe had seemingly given up on the matter of Moshiach, or that he might stop his activities and leadership of the chassidim. In light of this, there were attempts to approach the Rebbe again and again to ask him to act on the matter.

At the farbrengen on the following Shabbat, Parshat Shemini, Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh stood up between the talks and called out that since "a tzaddik decrees and the Holy One, blessed be He, fulfills," they request that the Rebbe decree that the geulah come immediately. The Rebbe began the next talk by emphasizing that there is no place to impose the work of bringing Moshiach on him, but rather this is the personal work of each individual:

"Instead of taking advantage of this opportunity... for everyone to decide for themselves what they must do, they are using it to search for new work for me...
I have enough work, and there is no need to impose more work on me; what I need to do, I know myself... and regarding bringing the geulah - I know myself what I need to do, and I am doing in this as much as I can, and after everything that has been done until now, it has not helped to bring Moshiach in actuality (and this is not the place to discuss the reason for this).
And therefore - there is no place to use the time of the farbrengen to look for new roles for me and to impose more work on me... I forgo the favor, and it would be better if everyone would decide what they need to do.
And as I said and emphasized that the mission is upon you to do everything in your power - that each person needs to begin to act themselves to bring the geulah!"

Also during the dollar distribution on the following Sunday, 30 Nissan, the Rebbe spoke in this spirit with some of those passing by - that they should focus on their personal work and not place the responsibility on the Rebbe.

The Rebbe answered in this style to letters sent to him containing requests and demands that the Rebbe reveal himself: To a letter from Rabbi Gershon Mendel Garelik and Chabad chassidim from Milan, Italy, who wrote that they "demand with all strength and chutzpah that the Rebbe reveal himself," the Rebbe replied: "This is not at all what was discussed, but rather a response based on intellect to what I spoke clearly, and in all the above-mentioned there is not even a single word of response. Since others also 'answer' in this way, it is clear that they do not have even a single word of response. And why should I trouble them, Heaven forbid, and let them serve Hashem with joy and good heart, and Hashem will grant them success. I will mention at the tziyun." Similarly, to a letter and signatures in this style sent by Rabbi Shneur Zalman Blumenfeld from Peru, the Rebbe responded to the words "all deadlines have passed": "All this is my claims and repeating the claims is not a response at all. I will mention at the tziyun."

Rabbi Tuvia Peles and Rabbi Zushe Rivkin sent the Rebbe a plane ticket to Eretz Yisrael several days after the talk was given. In response, the Rebbe instructed them to return the plane tickets and wrote that: "This is not at all what was discussed, as is even more obvious."

Advertisement for an emergency gathering held in Kfar Chabad following the talk

Actions Following the TalkEdit

Establishment of Moshiach HeadquartersEdit

On Tuesday evening, 3 Iyar, a meeting was held at the Chabad Mobile offices in Crown Heights with the participation of several dozen activists, where it was decided to establish 'The World Headquarters for Bringing Moshiach'. The meeting participants signed a report containing the meeting protocol with the headquarters' plans and the names of its members, to which Rabbi David Nachshon added the words: "Yechi Adoneinu Moreinu V'Rabbeinu Melech HaMoshiach L'olam Va'ed" (Long live our master, our teacher, and our Rebbe, King Moshiach, forever and ever). The Rebbe's response was: "All this was taken to the Ohel, I will mention it at the gravesite."

The headquarters' first action was to convene an urgent meeting at 770 the following day, Thursday, 4 Iyar. For their activities, the headquarters activists received special responses and encouragement from the Rebbe.

Rabbinic RulingEdit

During the emergency gathering at Beit Menachem in Kfar Chabad on Saturday night, where Rabbi Zimroni Tzik was the conference moderator, Rabbi Shmuel Fromer suggested issuing a rabbinic ruling that the Rebbe is Melech HaMoshiach (King Moshiach). The proposal was accepted, and at that same event, the secretary of the Chabad Rabbinical Court, Rabbi David Chanzin, announced on behalf of the rabbis that the Rebbe is Melech HaMoshiach. That evening, the Rabbi of Kfar Chabad, Rabbi Mordechai Ashkenazi, wrote the complete text of the ruling.

Following this, Rabbi David Nachshon and R' Avi Taub flew to New York, to the Rebbe's court, to present the ruling to the Rebbe. On Monday morning, 2 Iyar, they arrived in New York, and Rabbi David Nachshon waited for the Rebbe near the mikvah, and when the Rebbe arrived, he presented him with the ruling. The Rebbe looked and said with a smile: "Yasher koach, Yasher koach!" (Well done, well done!) and put the envelopes in his frock coat pocket.

Subsequently, additional editions of the ruling were written. Additionally, Rabbi David Nachshon and R' Avi Taub were sent by the Chabad rabbis to Russia to recite the ruling at the graves of our Rebbes.

Acceptance of KingshipEdit

In addition to the rabbinic rulings, an awakening began among the Chassidim regarding the importance of accepting the Rebbe's kingship as Melech HaMoshiach. The idea was first raised on the night after the talk by Rabbi Avraham Lipsker, who spoke about it during a telephone broadcast, but it was particularly strengthened at the emergency meeting at 770 on Thursday, 4 Iyar. At the conclusion of the meeting, those gathered - about 250 people - signed a form accepting the Rebbe's kingship, in which they accepted upon themselves the Rebbe as Melech HaMoshiach and committed to dedicate themselves and act according to his holy will. These signatures were submitted to the Rebbe and received a positive and encouraging response. A photo of the Rebbe's response was hung on the walls of 770 and created considerable impact.

Subsequently, the initiative of collecting signatures for accepting the Rebbe's kingship spread to the Holy Land, as well as among Chabad women and girls, with the Rebbe's consent and blessing.

Study of Topics on Redemption and MoshiachEdit

During the week after the talk, several students from the yeshiva in New Haven (among them Dov Menachem Drabkin) conceived an idea to create an index of the Rebbe's talks on matters of Geulah (Redemption) and Moshiach, to increase the study of these topics to bring about the Redemption. In his talk at the farbrengen that Shabbat, the Rebbe alluded to this - explaining that studying topics of Redemption is the direct, easy, and fastest way to bring about the revelation and coming of Moshiach; and added, "In our generation, when there are index books in alphabetical order for all the sayings of our Sages, etc. (which were added in recent generations and years) - it is easier to find the sayings of our Sages and the discussions dealing with matters of Moshiach and Redemption."

Later, the Rebbe further stated that the study of topics on Redemption is required not only as a segulah (spiritual remedy) to bring about Moshiach's coming but also to live in accordance with the threshold period of Redemption, through contemplating the concepts of Redemption intellectually, and practical conduct accordingly.

When Rabbi Chaim Gutnick sent a letter to the Rebbe asking what specific work was required that the Rebbe referred to in the well-known talk, the Rebbe responded by sending him the talk he gave that Shabbat, Parshat Tazria-Metzora, in which he explains that the direct way to bring Moshiach is through studying topics on Redemption and Moshiach.

External LinksEdit

The SichaEdit

The Sicha: Mugah (Lashon Hakodesh) • Text Version
Full video of the Sicha with translation to Lashon Hakodesh by the Institute for Spreading the Torah of Mashiach
Short clip from the Sicha
The complete Sicha and the dollars distribution that followed
Journal from Beis Chayeinu - 28 Nissan 5751/1991
Video journal of the events of 28 Nissan 5751/1991

Following the SichaEdit

What to do to bring Mashiach? Dollars distribution, following the Sicha
"If I am a Rebbe, then I spoke clearly" Dollars distribution, following the Sicha
Activities of Chabad Chassidim immediately after 28 Nissan, with the Rebbe's encouragement - Interview with Rabbi Shmuel Butman
Actions of Chassidim to bring the Geulah since the famous Sicha

About the Sicha - Documents and Opinion ArticlesEdit

HaShturem Sheli Al Dvar Bias Mashiach • Mevakesh Lefi Kochan (5776/2016) • Mevakesh Lefi Kochan (5781/2021), published by Vaad Chayalei Beis David
One Sicha: 20 Years, 20 Insights ● Project - Twenty Rabbis, Shluchim, Mashpi'im and more, on the meaning of the Sicha
The Mission and Responsibility – In-depth interview about the 28 Nissan Sicha with Rabbi Yosef Yeshaya Braun, in Beis Mashiach weekly together with Medakdekim editorial, Parshas Shmini 5778/2018
Is there no one who truly asks for Mashiach? Interview with Rabbi Zushe Silberstein, from Beis Mashiach weekly
"Rabbi Dr. Yitzchak Krauss returns to the defining event of 28 Nissan 5751/1991" - Article published on ynet
Bringing Mashiach is not advice, it's a mission! Beis Mashiach weekly Parshas Tazria-Metzora 5777/2017
MashiachCast 28 Nissan - Mendy Evert and Itche Krauss in a fascinating MashiachCast program
'Hazman Grama' issue marking thirty years to 28 Nissan 5751/1991 • Fascinating
Rabbi Shalom Yaakov Chazan, Between Purim 5747/1987 and 28 Nissan 5751/1991
Thirty years to the shocking Sicha: Rabbi Nachshon in a candid interview
Friday night on COL Radio - Parshas Shmini, Rabbi Michael Tayeb on the message from the Sicha
Tzivos Hashem choir in a moving clip for 28 Nissan