Gimmel Tammuz and Yud-Beis/Yud-Gimmel Tammuz

The Previous Rebbe wrote, "Yud Kislev marks the birth of a chassid, and Yud-Tes Kislev is the bris (circumcision)." (Likkutei Dibburim, p. 976; more info here)

There are nine days between Yud Kislev and Yud-Tes Kislev. On Yud Kislev we celebrate the liberation of the Mitteler Rebbe, the 2nd Lubbavitcher Rebbe, which also marks the date of his birth and yahrzeit (9th of Kislev). Yud-Tes Kislev is the liberation of the Alter Rebbe, the 1st Rebbe, as well as the yahrzeit of his teacher, the Maggid of Mezeritch.

There are nine days between Gimmel Tammuz and Yud-Beis/Yud-Gimmel Tammuz, which is today. On Gimmel Tammuz, we celebrate the beginning of the liberation of the Previous Rebbe, the 2nd-to-last Lubavitcher Rebbe, which also marks the yahrzeit of the last Rebbe. Yud-Beis/Yud-Gimmel Tammuz marks the complete liberation of the Previous Rebbe, as well as his birthday.

When the Previous Rebbe had his bar mitzvah, his father, the Rebbe Rashab, made a seven-day celebration like that of a wedding (sheva brachos). Therefore, perhaps we can say as follows, "Gimmel Tammuz marks the wedding of a chassid, and Yud-Beis/Yud-Gimmel Tammuz is the sheva brachos."

Open

Open
My lips
Because
I can't
Seem to
See past
What is
In it 
For me
So to
Unfool 
Myself
Then my 
Mouth shall
Declare
Your praise.

K.I.S.S.

K.I.S.S.*

And yet there is
A simple all
Encompassing
Remedy

To remember
And not forget
The way that all
Is meant to be

To look beyond
And raise the mind
To a higher plain
Reality

Back to the Source
Where all is joy
And all is One
Simplicity.


* "Keep It Simple Stupid"

Reflexao

Depois de meses, fiquei olhando pro céu. Naquela vastidão, foi tão fácil ver o nada que sou, que me deu vontade de cantar.

No dia seguinte, fiquei olhando meus filhos brincando. Pensei que deve ser assim mesmo que Ele fica nos olhando, e me veio uma certa paz.

Talvez seja preciso só isso. Saber quando ser nada, quando ser tudo, e lembrar de se deixar ficar olhando...