Saying L'chaim

In Lubavitch tradition, mashke (pronounced with emphasis on the first syllable) has a very special role in Chassidishe life. This refers to the strong l'chaim that Chassidim drink at farbrengens to be mevatel the guf and nefesh habehamis, helping to be mekabel the divrei hisorerus and make hachlatos tovos.

The Rebbe initially used Benedictine during farbrengens, but following a certain episode, began using Smirnoff publicly (though continuing with Benedictine in his home). Until today, Smirnoff remains the main mashke used at farbrengens in Beis Chayeinu - 770 and by Chassidim worldwide.

When the Frierdiker Rebbe visited HaGaon Rav Yosef Chaim Zonnenfeld during his visit to Eretz Yisroel, he was asked about the minhag Chassidim to say l'chaim. The Frierdiker Rebbe explained with a mashal about a ben melech sent to a remote village - when receiving word he would return to his father's palace, he needed to make others join his simcha without revealing his true identity. Similarly, the mashke helps reveal the neshama while being mevatel the nefesh habehamis.

By Lubavitcher Chassidim, we say "l'chaim v'livracha" following the nusach of the Heiliker Maggid and the Alter Rebbe, who explained these letters spell "lev-racha," since when nichnas yayin yotze sod through giluy hamiddos, we need a brocha.

In Shabbos Parshas Shemini 5723, the Rebbe was metaken "Takanas HaMashke," limiting the shiur mashke, particularly for those under arboim shana and especially bochurim. During farbrengens, the Rebbe would give mashke for upcoming simchos and mivtzoim, establishing proper guidelines for using mashke b'kedusha.

This approach reflects how in Toras HaChassidus, we must utilize gashmius in a measured way to achieve aliyah b'ruchnius while maintaining proper geidarim, as the Rebbe constantly emphasized.

Takanas HaMashke - the Rebbe's guidance regarding mashke consumption:

On Shabbos Parshas Shemini, Shabbos Mevorchim Chodesh Iyar 5723 (1963), the Rebbe instituted a special takana regarding the proper use of mashke. The Rebbe was metaken that anash, particularly those under arboim shana and especially bochurim, should significantly limit their mashke consumption.

The Rebbe repeatedly emphasized this takana over the years, sometimes speaking with particular tuchecha about the importance of being zahir with mashke. While some connect the takana to a certain unfortunate incident involving excessive drinking, others maintain it came purely b'isarusa d'leila, unrelated to any specific event.

The Rebbe provided several alternatives to physical mashke. He explained that "yeina shel Torah" - the wine of Chassidus - serves as the true mashke. For example, regarding drinking daled kosos on Acharon Shel Pesach, the Rebbe instructed that if needed, one could accomplish this b'ruchnius by chazering four maamarim by heart, noting that being bari b'ruchnius would lead to being bari b'gashmius.

Even for those over forty, where the takana was less stringent, the Rebbe emphasized that yeina shel Torah is the proper "drink" - and from this mashke one should certainly drink b'shefa (abundantly).

Some practical examples of the Rebbe's guidance:

• When Reb Yitzchok Holtzman asked about mashke at yeshiva high school farbrengens, the Rebbe strongly indicated that mashke wasn't necessary, suggesting soda instead
• When Reb Shaul Juvani expressed discomfort with pressure to drink mashke, the Rebbe told him to say l'chaim on cola instead
• When Reb Shneur Zalman Gurary couldn't drink mashke for health reasons, the Rebbe instructed him to sip tea during his farbrengens
• In 5741, when Erev Pesach fell on Shabbos, during the Rebbe's farbrengen at 1:30 when mashke and yayin were already assur, the Rebbe said l'chaim on a kos mayim and was moreh Reb Zalman Shimon Dvorkin to be motzi all the nochechim with l'chaim on mayim.

These horaos demonstrate how the Rebbe established proper geidarim for using mashke while ensuring the ikar - the spiritual elevation of a farbrengen - could be achieved through various means.

further reading

For further reading: "L'chaim!", A Chassidisher Derher, Issue 84 (161), pages 48-59.