Rosh Chodesh Kislev： From Hakafos to Home ｜ Jewish History

Why would a walk home become a Yom Tov that chassidim still celebrate every year? In this episode of our Jewish History Series, we explore the story of Rosh Chodesh Kislev: how the Lubavitcher Rebbe suffered a serious heart attack during the hakafos of Shemini Atzeres, Tishrei 5738 (1977), and how, five weeks later, his walk home from 770 Eastern Parkway turned into a celebration that is marked every year. Discover how, at the darkest moment, the Rebbe chose joy: he signalled that the hakafos must go on, asked his chassidim to add in simcha rather than take away from it, and saw the good in every piece of news, living by the words "Tracht gut, vet zein gut", think good and it will be good. We follow the story from the lekach on Hoshana Rabbah and the packed bleachers of 770 on Shemini Atzeres night, through the Rebbe's decision to stay in 770, Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky's call to Dr. Ira Weiss in Chicago, the police escort to Brooklyn, Dr. Louis Teichholz and the little hospital room inside the Rebbe's office, the dancing of Simchas Torah, the talk by microphone that was heard around the world, and finally Thursday evening, erev Rosh Chodesh Kislev, when the door of 770 opened at twenty to eight and the Rebbe went home. This short educational video is designed to make Jewish history clear, visual, and engaging for students, teachers, and anyone interested in understanding the people and events that shaped Jewish life. 📚 In this episode: - What happened at the hakafos of Shemini Atzeres 5738? - Why did the Rebbe insist on staying in 770? - How did doctors bring the hospital to the Rebbe? - What does it mean to "add in simcha"? - Why did the chassidim dance through the night when the Rebbe went home? - Why do chassidim celebrate Rosh Chodesh Kislev every year? This video is part of an ongoing Jewish History educational series, bringing major periods, personalities, challenges, and turning points in Jewish history to life through short, accessible videos. Subscribe for more episodes exploring the fascinating stories of Jewish communities around the world and the people who shaped Jewish history. Image credits: 770 Eastern Parkway, 2006 (public domain); the front door of 770 by Danny-w (CC BY-SA 4.0); Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, 2014, by Meni yuzevich (CC BY-SA 3.0); all via Wikimedia Commons. All other artwork is cut paper. #JewishHistory #RoshChodeshKislev #Chabad #Lubavitch #770 #Chassidus #JewishEducation #Judaism