Likkutei Torah

Likkutei Torah is the central sefer of maamarim from the Alter Rebbe, collected and printed by his grandson, the Tzemach Tzedek. It contains maamarim on the parshiyot of Vayikra, Bamidbar and Devarim, some parshiyot from Shemot, and maamarim on Shir HaShirim. Likkutei Torah is the second part of the sefer Torah Ohr.

The sefer is considered a foundational text in Chabad Chassidut, and it is customary to learn the weekly maamarim from this sefer related to the parsha, known as the "Chassidic Parsha." The Rebbe frequently emphasized the importance of learning it and its merit in hastening the geula.

The Sefer

This sefer is the second part of Torah Ohr, but while the Tzemach Tzedek printed Torah Ohr without his notes, in Likkutei Torah he included his annotations, following the urging of chassidim and after the Alter Rebbe appeared to him and his children in a dream.

The sefer contains maamarim on Vayikra, Bamidbar and Devarim. Additionally, it includes: a) Drushim on Parshat Beshalach and Pekudei from Shemot, as well as additions to Vayikra. b) Drushim on the holidays that fall during the time these parshiyot are read. c) Drushim on Shir HaShirim, with additions.

Printings

• 1848 - First printing in Zhitomir
• 1878, 1885, 1904, and 1928 - Additional printings in Vilna
• 1948 - The Rebbe printed it following his father-in-law's instructions, photographically reproducing the 1904 Vilna edition through Kehot's European branch
• 1965 - New edition published with numerous additions
• 1984 - New edition with many additions edited by Rabbi Aaron Chitrik
• 2001 - New edition in square letters following the Rebbe's instructions
• 2016 - New edition printed in two formats
• 2021 - Another printing

As of 2022, eighteen editions of the sefer have been printed.

Notes and References

In 1965, the Rebbe assigned his secretary Rabbi Yehuda Leib Groner to prepare additions to the 'Notes and References' for Likkutei Torah, for the new edition. The Rebbe allocated only one week for this work, during which Rabbi Groner secluded himself and focused solely on this task, leaving his regular secretarial duties to other members of the secretariat.

Collected Maamarim

Kehot Publishing House published a booklet of Collected Maamarim (a compilation originally arranged by the mashpiim in Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch) containing fundamental maamarim from the sefer for tmimim studying in Tomchei Tmimim yeshivot worldwide. There is an opinion that Mashpia Rashach Keselman was the compiler.

Books of Explanations on the Sefer

• Chassidut Mevueret - Contains selected maamarim with explanations, chief editor Rabbi Mendel Wechter
• Torah Ohr and Likkutei Torah HaMevuar - Five volumes with one maamor for each parsha, plus four additional volumes
• Questions and Answers on Likkutei Torah Maamarim - Explanation in Q&A format by Rabbi Tuvia Litzman
• Biur Torah Ohr and Likkutei Torah by Rabbi Adin Even-Israel from his shiurim

Learning the Sefer

Torah Ohr and Likkutei Torah are fundamental seforim of Chabad Chassidut. The Rebbe called them the "Torah Shebaal Peh of Chassidut." The maamarim relevant to the weekly parsha are called the "Chassidic Parsha."

The Rebbe frequently instructed to learn the weekly maamarim. He mentioned a custom among chassidim to learn parts of the parsha maamarim with their bar mitzvah-age sons, and even younger.

In 1965, after the new edition was published, the Rebbe emphasized learning the entire 'Chassidishe Parsha' weekly. The Rebbe gave specific guidance to individuals about their learning, such as telling one yeshiva student to first learn the entire parsha for basic understanding, then study at least the first section of one maamor in depth.

In 1992, the Rebbe reiterated this instruction, adding that through this learning we hasten the true and complete geula.

In 2021, Rabbi Dovid Parkash, through Hisachdus HaChassidim, produced a daily study schedule to complete both Likkutei Torah and Torah Ohr within a year, fulfilling the Rebbe's directive.