5 Teves: Redeeming the Books
REDEEMING THE BOOKS
On this day the Federal Court ruled that books taken from the Chabad Library were property of the Lubavitch movement and must be returned. Annually, the Rebbe celebrated the date when the books were liberated.
At one celebration, the Rebbe remarked:
The truest liberation of the books is through study. Therefore, this day should be commemorated by strengthening our commitment to Torah study, particularly Mishnayos, the first book recording the Oral Law.
In this vein, the liberation of the books will lead to the global Redemption, as Yeshayah (1:27) states, “Zion will be redeemed through instruction,” which refers to Torah study. This is particularly true about the study of Mishnayos and practical Torah law in general, as our sages taught (Vayikra Rabbah 7:3), “The exiled will only be gathered in the merit of Mishnayos.”
The reason is that Mishnah encompasses all of Torah law. Therefore, when one studies Mishnah, it is as if one has fulfilled the entire Torah, including the laws that only apply in the Temple. In this merit, the Temple will be rebuilt and we will be able to fulfill its mitzvos once again.
Sefer HaSichos, 5752, pp. 210-211, and noted there
