Hayom Yom

Hayom Yom - Calendar of Sown Light for Chabad Chassidim, the Rebbe's first composition in the holy tongue, is a calendar that divides the Chitas studies according to the takana (enactment) of the Rebbe Rayatz. Two additional purposes were added in its publication: publicizing Chabad customs, and compiling short aphorisms from Chassidic teachings. The compilation was edited by the Rebbe. The custom that spread among Anash is to learn each day the saying that appears in the calendar on that date.

Editing the Calendar[edit | edit source]

On the 20th of Kislev 5703 (1942), the Rebbe Rayatz approached his son-in-law, the Rebbe, and asked him "Please arrange a calendar starting from this 19th of Kislev until the 19th of Kislev of the coming year, and it should specifically include: a) Daily study schedules that are suitable for every person... b) Customs of Chabad chassidim. c) Collected aphorisms from Chassidic teachings and the ways of chassidim, short topics for each day of the year. The calendar that you arrange should be called Hayom Yom, Calendar of Sown Light for Chabad Chassidim."

For four months, the Rebbe labored on the masterful work of editing the calendar, and in letters from that period the Rebbe apologizes for delayed responses to those reaching out to him due to "the great preoccupation with arranging the calendar for Chabad chassidim being published in these days." The Rebbe drew pearls and treasured gems from the talks and letters of the Rebbe Rayatz that were in his possession, and even from his own private notes he collected precious stones and set them in the golden settings of the "Hayom Yom" calendar.

Only towards the 11th of Nissan was the collection published, as was announced about it in the "Hakriah V'hakedusha" newsletter: "Hayom Yom. Under this name, a collection appeared in these days containing a treasury of words from 'the menorah of eight lights'..."

The calendar, which in its form is built as a regular calendar, begins on the 19th of Kislev - the Rosh Hashanah for Chassidic teachings, and at its opening is printed, as an "introduction," a segment from the Rebbe Rashab's letter regarding the Rosh Hashanah for Chassidic teachings on the 19th of Kislev, and its appropriate utilization.

The calendar was printed in 21 editions (besides translation editions), with the calendar first printed in 5703 (1943) and the latest edition printed in 5780 (2020) with a second printing in larger format in 5781 (2021).

The First Book[edit | edit source]

When the Rebbe was appointed in 5702 (1942) as the director of Kehot, Machne and Machane Israel, the Rebbe began to engage in publishing and was involved in editing booklets and pamphlets, from the Chassidic teachings of the Rebbe Rayatz to booklets that were published in a popular style for American Jews, soldiers, children and more. The Rebbe himself wrote about such booklets that he did not edit [each word], but was only responsible for the content of the idea and approach: "It is obvious that when I edit a booklet published by Machne or similar - the content of my editing is the general idea, the approach and so forth, but not matters as mentioned above [i.e., checking how to pronounce God's name in blessings and prayers]."

It should be noted that even in earlier years, the Rebbe engaged in publishing and editing, such as: editing the Hatamim periodical, creating indices for Chassidic books, and more.

The aforementioned publications, in which the Rebbe was involved in various stages, but the Rebbe's first composition is considered to be the book 'Hayom Yom,' which the Rebbe wrote in his holy handwriting from beginning to end, after selecting appropriate aphorisms according to dates, following the instructions of the Rebbe Rayatz.

Reference of Rebbe Rayatz[edit | edit source]

"I can rely with God's help on the special divine assistance I have been granted, that anything I establish for the benefit of the masses, the Holy One Blessed Be He helps that sooner or later, through various circumstances, the matter comes to fruition." With this special expression, spoken by the holy Rebbe Rayatz during a farbrengen on the last day of Pesach 5700 (1940), the Rebbe Rayatz chose to reveal the plan for compiling the "Hayom Yom" calendar.

Following these words, the Rebbe said that all Chabad customs needed to be established in a special book alongside short aphorisms and stories, and that everything should be arranged according to daily life, like a kind of 'daily portion' for the Chabad Chassidic community. "Such an organized compilation," said the Rebbe Rayatz, "can only be made by a deep 'pnimi', someone fundamentally organized, with broad and deep knowledge."

The great work was presented before the Rebbe Rayatz, as the Rebbe wrote in a letter sent to Rabbi Yaakov Landau: "All the customs I printed in 'Hayom Yom' were inserted according to the instructions of my father-in-law, the Rebbe, and before printing they were once again before his eyes (and there were some he ordered to omit, saying they were not instructions for the public)." The Rebbe once expressed that the printing of the book was by command of the Rebbe Rayatz, and the Rebbe further stated that one can tangibly see the influence of the aphorisms in the book since it was printed. Similarly, in a talk on the 19th of Kislev 5749 (1988), the Rebbe expressed regarding "Hayom Yom" - "This small book, which was printed during the lifetime of the leader of our generation, was before his eyes in the utmost detail."

The Rebbe Rayatz was very happy when he received the printed work from the hands of Rabbi Shlomo Aharon Kazarnovsky, and expressed with amazement: "This calendar is daily spiritual nourishment!"

On another occasion, he said to Rabbi Chodakov with a special melody: "Hayom Yom! Der tog iz tog!" [=The day is a day]...

In a letter from those days, the Rebbe Rayatz writes to one of the Chassidim: "You have surely received the book 'Hayom Yom', which is a book in a small format - as a Chassid should see himself - but filled with pearls and gems from mighty and strong treasures. This is, thank God, a creation of true Chassidic quality. God has blessed, without an evil eye, my son-in-law, the Gaon Rabbi Menachem Mendel, that he could build this glorious Chassidic palace with its 383 rooms, in a way that day by day utters speech - each day says something. This is the day in its true meaning, Hayom Yom, that each day is a day."

The Rebbe Rayatz himself would study "Hayom Yom," and even showed several times how one can "live" with the daily aphorism. In many letters, the Rebbe Rayatz quotes the "Hayom Yom" aphorism for that day, and uses it as a guide in his instructions - on that day - to those who turned to him. At a farbrengen on Shavuot 5703 (1943), the Rebbe Rayatz expressed that one who keeps the "Hayom Yom" study portions can approach the receiving of the Torah in a "completely different way"!

The Calendar is Received in the World[edit | edit source]

The new calendar was received "with affection in the Chassidic world," as described by the Rebbe (Igrot Kodesh Vol. 1, p. 167). The directors of Kollel Chabad expressed their joy in a letter sent to the Rebbe: "This compilation is full of deep, fundamental content of the foundations of Chassidut, its spirit and soul. It is arranged in a wonderful way for daily use and in this spirit it was received, especially among Anash and other Torah circles. And from the heart we say to him: May your strength be firm!"

By instruction of the Rebbe Rayatz, the Rebbe distributed the calendar in every possible way. Among other things, the Rebbe sent the calendar to his brother Yisrael Aryeh Leib Schneerson, who lived in Tel Aviv at that time. After examining the book, he began to dance with joy and amazement. "My brother sent me his first composition," he excitedly told those around him. But he added with regret: "It's a great pity that the world doesn't know what is hidden within this composition." On another occasion he said: "I always knew my brother has 'a gute kop' [=a good head], but to this extent!"

The Uniqueness of the Calendar[edit | edit source]

The "Hayom Yom" calendar was not meant to be a regular "calendar," but much more than that. From the very fact that the calendar appeared only in the month of Nissan, despite beginning on the 19th of Kislev - it is understood that from the outset the calendar was intended to be the spiritual sustenance of Chabad Chassidim for generations.

A regular calendar becomes obsolete after its year passes, but this calendar, which is "a light sown for Chabad Chassidim" - with the years, that sowing grows and flourishes. This calendar, interwoven with the words of the living G-d, is an "eternal calendar." Indeed, especially as the years passed, the use of the calendar increased, and studying the calendar became a daily staple among Chassidim, until the custom took root - in the Lubavitch Beis Midrash at 770 Eastern Parkway (Beis Moshiach), and from there to Chabad synagogues worldwide - to recite the daily "Hayom Yom" saying after the morning prayers.

The Calendar and its Connection to Moshiach[edit | edit source]

The calendar itself is filled with practical advice - what can be done to ease those "birth pangs of Moshiach" and to receive Moshiach Tzidkeinu.

Thus, right at the beginning of the calendar, on the 21st of Kislev, the Rebbe writes: "One should memorize, each according to his ability, and review while walking in the street - through this we will merit to receive Moshiach."

On the 5th of Teves, the Rebbe writes that "in the days of Moshiach, the virtue of gratitude and simplicity will be revealed, as everyone believes with pure faith in the Holy One Blessed be He, in His Torah and mitzvos... Melech HaMoshiach will prove and explain the 'great deed' of simplicity - sincere-heartfelt service."

A few days later, on the 15th of Teves, the Rebbe writes:

"Listen attentively, O Israel, this time is the season of redemption through Moshiach Tzidkeinu, and the sufferings that come upon us are the birth pangs of Moshiach, and Israel is redeemed only through teshuvah... 'Return, O Israel, unto Hashem your G-d,' and prepare yourself and your household to receive Moshiach Tzidkeinu who is coming very soon." "Especially in this time, when by the kindness of Hashem we stand on the threshold of redemption," writes the Rebbe on the 8th of Shevat, "we must strive with all forms of effort to strengthen all matters of religion with beautification of mitzvos, and to preserve all customs without compromising even the slightest bit, and it is a mitzvah and obligation upon every rabbi in Israel to inform his congregation that the troubles and sufferings are the birth pangs of Moshiach, and Hashem our G-d demands from us to do teshuvah to Torah and mitzvos, so that we should not delay the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu very soon."

On the 22nd of Nissan, the Rebbe writes about the revelation of the concept of "Moshiach's Feast" on the last day of Pesach, and the next day writes:

"The concept exists that the last day of Pesach is a revelation from Moshiach, which belongs to all Israel. Pesach represents 'skipping' and a 'night of protection,' and in general freedom is emphasized, and afterward we encounter worldly matters - therefore it is the revelation from Moshiach, the strength given to enable us to walk in the world."

A saying that is especially relevant to our times appears on the 24th of Iyar: "With the coming of Moshiach, the virtue of simplicity and sincerity in the service of simple people who pray and recite Tehillim with sincerity will be revealed."

"In this time, in the very footsteps of Moshiach, it is the duty of every Jew to seek the welfare of others, whether old or young, to awaken them to teshuvah, so that none, G-d forbid, should be excluded from the Jewish people who will merit, with G-d's help, complete redemption," so writes the Rebbe on the 18th of Sivan.

"The virtue of Moshiach," writes the Rebbe on the 1st of Menachem Av, "is that he will be humble, for although he will be at the height of greatness and will study Torah with the Patriarchs and Moses our teacher, with all this he will be completely humble and self-nullified to learn even with simple people."

Two days later the Rebbe writes: "Then, when Moshiach comes speedily in our days, Amen, people will long for the days of exile. At that time they will be grieved about why they did not engage in 'divine service.' Then they will feel the great pain of the lack of service now. The days of exile - these are the days of service to prepare for the coming of Moshiach speedily in our days, Amen."

Chain of Lineage[edit | edit source]

Expanded Article - Chain of Lineage

The Chain of Lineage is the introduction appearing at the beginning of the Hayom Yom calendar, and it contains the history of all Chabad Rebbes, their activities, their books, and their family members.

This introduction was privately edited by the Rebbe, and over the years with each new edition that was published, the Rebbe edited the updated Chain of Lineage with details relating to his activities during the years that had passed since the previous edition. The last editing was done in 5748 (1988).

Hayom Yom - Part Two[edit | edit source]

Hayom Yom Part Two is a collection of aphorisms that the Rebbe recorded for himself in a notebook - apparently in order to publish them in the Hayom Yom calendar for the years 5704-5705 (1944-1945), but this was not accomplished.

In 5749 (1989), photocopies of forty-seven aphorisms and their decipherment translated into the Holy Tongue were printed as part of the renewed edition of Hayom Yom, published by Kehot. When this book reached the Rebbe, he wrote in protest (the content - by oral tradition): "From where were they given permission to print the manuscript (of the second calendar), wasn't it not given for publication? Why did they omit the 'daily study guide from Tanya'? Who gave them permission to change from the Holy Tongue of the style of the aphorisms (that were written in the Holy Tongue)?"

In 5758 (1998), the World Agudas Chassidei Chabad published a booklet called "Hayom Yom Part B" for the central farbrengen of 3 Tammuz 5758, containing nearly ninety aphorisms, edited by Rabbi Mordechai Zvi Liberow.

Expanded Edition[edit | edit source]

In 5742 (1982), an expanded edition of the calendar was published, edited by Rabbi Michael Aaron Zeligson, in which the source of each aphorism was noted, along with additional references connecting the content of the aphorism to the day on which it was set to be said. The book merited two additional editions, and the Rebbe encouraged its editing and distribution.

Learning of the Calendar Today[edit | edit source]

In a talk on the 19th of Kislev 5749 (1988), the Rebbe spoke about studying "Hayom Yom" every day. In 5752 (1992), the Rebbe encouraged the suggestion to study the daily section each day.

External Links[edit | edit source]

The daily aphorism translated into Hebrew with search options for aphorisms and dates, on the website
Hayom Yom calendar book in book format, third printing, collaborative site of the Chabad Library with HebrewBooks
Hayom Yom calendar in text format, on the Chabad Library website
Designed aphorisms from Hayom Yom, edited by Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva of Rishon LeZion
"Shalshelet HaYachas" with explanations, Kehot Publication Society
The Chabad Calendar - Review of Hayom Yom, published by Vaad Chayalei Beit David
Rabbi Yosef Chanina Bindman, Introduction to the book Moreh HaDerech L'Dor HaShvii about the Hayom Yom book
Otzar Hayom Yom - Month of Shevat
What is the purpose of Hayom Yom?, Shaarei Yeshiva 5781 (2021) page 676
Hayom Yom with decoding of references, edited by Rabbi David and Rabbi Meir Shlomo Lubetzky
Rabbi Mordechai Wilhelm, Connection between the number of pages and the content of the aphorisms, Kovetz Hearot V'Biurim Ahalei Torah issue 1247, Parshat Terumah 5784 (2024) page 80
Rabbi Baruch Wilhelm's classes on Hayom Yom