Vaad L'Hafotzas Sichos
nating Sichos - Vaad L'haafotzas Sichos is a publishing institute focused on editing, printing, and distributing the Rebbe's reviewed talks (sichos) and publishing new books. The committee was established in 1967, and continues to be active in distributing the Rebbe's talks today. Its current director is Rabbi Shneur Zalman Chanin.
This institute is the Rebbe's official appointee for printing and distributing Chabad Chassidic books.
Establishment and Purpose[edit | edit source]
The distribution of the Rebbe's talks began at the end of 1950, even before he officially accepted leadership, with the goal of spreading his teachings among Chassidim worldwide and helping Anash communities better know the Rebbe and request that he accept leadership. Among the early leaders in distributing the talks was Rabbi Yoel kahn, who continued working on transcribing the Rebbe's words throughout the years.
From the Rebbe's side, the review of talks within the "Likkutei Sichos" framework began around Shavuot 1958. The Rebbe agreed to review a talk so it could be shared in synagogues as part of community gatherings. The initiators were Tzeirei Agudas Chabad in the United States. Initially, Rabbi Uriel Tzimmer (Parts 1-2) and Rabbi Yoel kahn (Parts 3-4) worked on the talks.
Publishing Activities[edit | edit source]
The committee's main ongoing activity focused on preparing Likkutei Sichos booklets for the Rebbe's review, followed by printing and distributing them worldwide. After sufficient material accumulated for a book, the committee printed the Likkutei Sichos books following the Torah portion order. After the Rebbe began reviewing his maamarim (discourses), the committee published the Sefer HaMaamarim Melukat containing the reviewed discourses. From then until today, the committee remains the official publisher and printer of the Rebbe's reviewed teachings.
Committee Members[edit | edit source]
The committee director is Rabbi Shneur Zalman Chanin. Editorial members include Rabbi Nachman Shapiro and Rabbi Yaakov Leib Altein. Past members included Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Wilshansky, Rabbi Yehuda Leib Shapiro, Rabbi Shneur Zalman Wilshansky, and Rabbi Aryeh Leib Kaplan. Contributing editors: Rabbi Elimelech Zweibel, Rabbi Alexander Ziskind Pikarsky, and Rabbi Chaim Shalom DovBer Lipsker. Rabbi Dovid Olidort occasionally assisted. Rabbi Shalom Jacobson was co-director with Rabbi Chanin until his passing in 2021.
Published Books by the Committee[edit | edit source]
Throughout the years, the committee edited many books from the Rebbe's reviewed talks. Here's the list of their publications:
- Likkutei Sichos Set (Original) - 39 volumes
- Supplementary volumes to Likkutei Sichos - Volume 40 - 2 volumes
- Likkutei Sichos Parshiyot Set - In recent years, Likkutei Sichos arranged by weekly Torah portions was published
- Likkutei Sichos Moadim Set including reviewed talks arranged by Jewish holidays and festivals, currently 13 volumes published
Sichos Kodesh Project[edit | edit source]
- Sichos Kodesh Set - talks from the Rebbe, written by various writers (mainly by members of Vaad Hanachos Hatmimim), not reviewed by him
- Pirkei Avot Commentary Set - commentaries on Ethics of the Fathers - 2 parts
- Sefer HaMaamarim Basi LeGani Set - all the Rebbe's Basi LeGani discourses - 2 parts
- Commentary Set on Rashi's Torah Commentary - 5 volumes
- Passover Haggadah Set with collected reasons and customs, including talks and general letters - 2 volumes
- Likkutei Sichos on Redemption and Moshiach Set - 5 volumes and supplementary booklet