19 of Kislev (Yud-Tes Kislev)

by Rabbi Yosef Shusterman

On Yud-Tes Kislev, the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, was freed from Russian imprisonment. It was not only a physical release from imprisonment, but also a heavenly decree was lifted, allowing the dissemination of Chassidus and Jewish mysticism to the general Jewish population. Prior to this time, Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism was studied and revealed to only a very selct few individuals. Now with chassidus, every Jew could delve into the mystical depths of the Torah.