A Historic Look at the Roots of Yud-Tes
Kislev and the Centuries-Long Ties to
the Community in Eretz Yisroel
The Roots of Colel Chabad
In 1788, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the Baal Hatanya, founded Colel Chabad to support needy families in Eretz Yisrael. Over the centuries, this initiative has provided food, medical aid, and essential support to tens of thousands, regardless of age, gender, or background. From infants to Holocaust survivors, Colel Chabad’s services ensure no one is left behind. The organization remains a living legacy of the Baal Hatanya’s vision, fueled by donors’continued generosity.
The Unfinished Journey
In 1777, a group of Chassidim led by Rabbis Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk and Avraham of Kalisk faced immense hardships upon reaching Eretz Yisrael. Although they left with sufficient funds, famine and the needs of others depleted their resources, leaving them in desperate poverty. Rabbi Yisroel of Polotzk’s fundraising appeal back to Europe marked the first collective effort to support Jews in the Holy Land. While the Baal Hatanya longed to join them, he remained behind to guide his Chassidim, sacrificing his dream for the greater good. This sacrifice led to the founding of Colel Chabad, ensuring support for Jews in Eretz Yisrael.
פדה בשלום נפשי
In 1798, the Baal Hatanya’s charity work for Eretz Yisrael led to his arrest by Russian authorities, who accused him of supporting the Ottoman Empire. Imprisoned in St. Petersburg, he defended his actions as a sacred obligation to sustain the poor in the Holy Land. His release on Yud-Tes Kislev marked a divine vindication of his life’s mission, reaffirming the importance of his work for Colel Chabad. This liberation is celebrated as a Chassidic yom tov, symbolizing redemption and the power of giving.
A 236-year legacy of Tzedakah in Eretz Yisrael
The Legacy of Yud-Tes Kislev
Yud-Tes Kislev celebrates the Baal Hatanya’s release and the golden era of Chassidus it ushered in. But it’s also a day deeply rooted in tzedakah. The Baal Hatanya attributed his liberation to the merit of supporting Eretz Yisrael through Colel Chabad. Today, this mission continues, with donors ensuring no Jew in Israel feels alone. The values of compassion and generosity, established centuries ago, remain at the heart of Colel Chabad’s work.
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