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Likkutei Sichos, lit. "Collected Talks," (Hebrew: ליקוטי שיחות) is an anthology of essays relating to the weekly portion of the Bible (Torah Chumash) and special occasions in the Jewish and Hasidic calendar. These essays were informal lectures given by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, in the context of Hasidic gatherings (Farbrengen) in the main Lubavitch synagogue in Brooklyn. During the course of a Farbrengen, talks, stories and discourses were given by the Rebbe, Hasidic melodies (Niggunim) were sung, visiting guests were welcomed, toasts were offered, etc. The Rebbe began public speaking after the passing of his predecessor, and father-in-law, the 6th Rebbe, in 1950. He formally assumed leadership by delivering his fist discourse (Maamar) on the first anniversary of the passing, in 1951. The public speaking continued until his illness in 1992. In many of the talks, it was the Rebbe's focus to connect the weekly Torah reading with current events throughout the world so that we can internalize and relate to these ideas in our contemporary experience. The volumes of Likkutei Sichos are published by the Lubavitch Publication House Kehot Publication Society. The edited Sichos represent much of the Rebbe's central teachings, and unique spiritual voice for the generation, with other major works being the deeper, mystical Maamarim (Hasidic discourses), unedited talks, personal correspondence etc. Through his teachings, leadership, public campaigns, and private relationship with people from all walks of life, Jewish and non-Jewish, the Rebbe was the most influential Hasidic leader of recent times, with great impact upon the wider Jewish world. The nature of his leadership and thought marks a culminating fulfillment of Hasidic history, representing the fullest measure of the Hasidic ideal to disseminate the "wellsprings" of Hasidism in the widest and most accessible forms, and united with the other dimensions of Judaism. The many aspects of Likkutei Sichos present the most accessible form of the Rebbe's thought, and its practical outcomes.
[edit] ProductionThe talks were transcribed by redactors (meinichim), and then submitted to Rabbi Schneerson for editing. This traditional method was used, especially, because many of the talks were given on the Sabbath, when writing is not allowed in Jewish observance. Sometimes, Farbrengen were given on weekdays, to mark occasions like festivals. These were then available directly around the World by phone-link, and later broadcast across America on live television channels. They were then put in writing, like the Sabbath talks. After being edited personally by the Rebbe, they were distributed in booklet form worldwide. They were later compiled into books, of which there is a set of 39 volumes. Vols. 1-9 are in Yiddish; vols. 10-14, in Hebrew; vols. 15-29 are in Yiddish; and vols. 30-39, in Hebrew. In particular, Yoel Kahn is noteworthy for having prepared the first nine volumes of Likkutei Sichos. Other talks of the Rebbe were published in other formats, such as those of later years, collected into yearbooks, and the collections of unedited talks. [edit] Overview of ContentsSome of the volumes of Likkutei Sichos are devoted to explaining mystical Hasidic philosophy, as it explains the weekly portion of Torah, Jewish festivals, or other ideas drawn from all aspects of traditional Jewish thought. Other talks are devoted to elucidating the "Revealed" dimensions of Judaism, such as Talmudic commentary. In this category are the celebrated "Rashi Sichos". The Medieval, French Rashi is the most important traditional Jewish commentator on the books of the Hebrew Bible, and the many volumes of Talmud. His commentary on the 5 Books of the Torah elucidates the Plain meaning (see Pardes), with some additional meanings from the Midrashic method, which initially appear to be utilised when the plain meaning still leaves questions. The essential nature of Rashi's explanations on the Torah has historically drawn many sub-commentaries from leading Rabbis, who explain why Rashi says what he does. It can be said that the Lubavitcher Rebbe's Rashi Sichos perhaps represent his personally most innovative contribution to Jewish thought, out of a complete mastery and innovative teaching in all areas of Judaism. In the Rashi Sichos, the Rebbe brings a new approach, that initially cites all previous sub-commentaries from earlier authorities, and then proceeds to explain why each of them falls short. Often these earlier explanations rely on Talmudic thought. The Rebbe elucidates a deceptively simple explanation of Rashi that he often culminates by additionally relating his conclusions to their spiritual, mystical parallels, and practical outcomes. It can be said that in all the Rebbe's many dimensional scholarship, he captures the simple essence of Hasidic mysticism, and unites it with the Revealed aspects of Judaism, always seeking to bring ideas into greatest tangibility, and above all practical outcomes ("The main thing is the deed"). This reflects the essential meaning of Hasidus (See Hasidic philosophy - as the Rebbe teaches in the discourse "On the essence of Chassidus"), which uncovers the inner spiritual meaning of Kabbalah, and seeks to bring this Divine essence down to the lowest levels. The talks of the Rebbe themselves represent this, as in contrast to the Rebbe's Maamarim (Hasidic discourses), the historically more traditional vehicle for Hasidic mysticism, in the informal Sichos (Talks), the Rebbe tends to avoid deep Kabbalistic terminology. The talks bring Hasidic thought into everyday language. This represents a culminating stage to the historical development of Hasidic thought. [edit] Books for further reading
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