Chalukas HaShas
Chalukas HaShas (the division of the Talmud) is an ancient Jewish custom in which the tractates of the Talmud are distributed among the members of a community, each person undertaking to study one tractate over the course of the year. The Alter Rebbe promoted this practice in his Igeres HaKodesh[1] and accordingly the custom became established to organize the division on Yud Tes Kislev — the Rosh Hashanah of Chassidus — in honor of the Alter Rebbe's release from imprisonment.
History[edit | edit source]
The practice of dividing the Talmud among a community is an ancient one in Jewish life. In the words of the Frierdiker Rebbe (the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn):[2] "The ancient custom throughout the Jewish world is to complete the entire Talmud every year in every city, and where possible — in every synagogue and study hall, through the division of tractates."
The Alter Rebbe's own promotion of this practice is well known. In his words:[3]
To complete the entire Talmud every year, in every city, dividing the tractates by lot or by choice. A city with many minyanim should complete it in each and every minyan; if any minyan is too small to cover the whole Talmud, men from a larger minyan should join them. This shall not be altered — it is a statute that shall not pass.
The Rebbe Maharash wrote: "At the very least, every person must study one tractate of Gemara each year."[4]
On this basis the custom was established to organize the division on 19 Kislev. From 5663 (1902–03) onward, due to the full schedule of 19 Kislev itself, the practice in Lubavitch shifted to holding the division on 24 Teves — the yahrzeit of the Alter Rebbe. From 5713 (1952–53), the Rebbe restored the custom to 19 Kislev.[5]
When the Rebbe Rashab was abroad during Chalukas HaShas, he would notify his community by telegram which tractate he was taking.[6]
The Rebbe enumerated several distinct dimensions of participating in Chalukas HaShas:[7]
- The Torah study of the tractate one has taken.
- Studying that tractate as one's contribution to completing the entire Talmud.
- Being counted as though one has learned (in partnership) the entire Talmud.
- The study is considered as learning in a quorum of ten or more.
- Each participant acquires a share in the learning of every other participant.
The Rebbe stated:[8] "It is understood that one who is capable of completing the entire Talmud on his own, with thorough study, should certainly be blessed and do so. But in addition to that, he should also participate in the communal Chalukas HaShas — because of all the above advantages."
Details of the Practice[edit | edit source]
The Talmud is divided among Anash (Chabad Chassidim) — one tractate per person — with a separate division taking place in each community. In this way the Talmud is completed many times over.
The custom is to divide the entire Talmud, including tractates that have no Gemara text (such as the orders of Zeraim and Taharos), and including Tamid and Midos (even though they consist mainly of descriptive narrative).[9]
It is worthwhile and proper for the commitment to study a tractate to be made in writing, with the written commitment given to another person — since experience shows that this generates additional energy and motivation even when difficulties arise, knowing that someone may ask whether one has kept one's word.[9]
The Rebbe customarily took Tractate Sanhedrin for himself.[10]
The list of participants in the Chalukas HaShas is posted on the walls of the synagogue "for encouragement and as a good remembrance in the House of God."[11] The Rebbe also directed his secretary, Rabbi Shalom Mendel Simpson, to this effect.[12]
Those who are in a location too small to divide the entire Talmud join the Chalukas HaShas conducted at the Rebbe's synagogue through Machne Israel.[13]
The Rebbe appointed Rabbi Shalom Mendel Simpson to oversee Chalukas HaShas within the framework of Machne Israel.
Joining the Chalukas HaShas[edit | edit source]
In accordance with the Rebbe's guidance (for those in locations too small to conduct a complete division), Machne Israel has set up an online form through which anyone can join the worldwide Chalukas HaShas — see the external links below.
Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ The discourse beginning Hocheach Tochiach, at the end of the book of Tanya.
- ↑ Igros Kodesh of the Frierdiker Rebbe, vol. 10, pp. 61–62.
- ↑ Kuntres Acharon, end of §9.
- ↑ HaYom Yom, 18 Adar II; and in this connection, Sefer HaSichos 5752, vol. 2, p. 499.
- ↑ Sefer HaSichos 5752, p. 492; original source: Toras Menachem — Hisvaaduyos 5713, vol. 1, p. 216.
- ↑ Sefer Lubavitch VeChayaleha, p. 45.
- ↑ Letter in Sefer HaSichos 5752, p. 497.
- ↑ Kuntres Al Dvar Chalukas HaShas BeYud Tes Kislev, end of §12.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Kuntres Al Dvar Chalukas HaShas BeYud Tes Kislev, 5752.
- ↑ In the early years the Rebbe also took Tractate Sukkah on behalf of the Frierdiker Rebbe. Some say he also took Tractate Tamid. The Rebbe explained that the Nasi (leader) takes Tractate Sanhedrin specifically because the role of the Sanhedrin was to rule on Jewish law for the entire people — just as the Nasi's role is to guide the people on the proper path.
- ↑ Letter in Sefer HaSichos 5752, p. 496; Beis Chaiyenu, issue 117, p. 29.
- ↑ See Maanos Kodesh 5752, response 157.
- ↑ Sefer HaMinhagim.
External Links[edit | edit source]
- Central Chalukas HaShas website run by Machne Israel
- The Rebbe's writings on Chalukas HaShas
- The Rebbe, Kuntres Al Dvar Chalukas HaShas BeYud Tes Kislev, 5752 (1991–92)
- Further reading
- Chalukas HaShas: the ancient custom that became one of the observances of 19 Kislev (col.org.il)
- Rabbi Yisrael Yitzchak Zalmonov, What to consider when choosing a tractate for Chalukas HaShas (chabad.info)