What is so special about Gimmel D’Selichos
Although the entire period of Selichos is very special, ‘Yom-Gimmel D’Selichos,’ the third day of Selichos was held in very high regard by our Rebbeim and was a day that they would often say over Chassidus and instructed Chassidim to hold Farbrengens. Interestingly the importance of this day was unknown until 5705/1945 when the Frierdiker Rebbe revealed the secret custom of the Rebbeim to deliver Chassidus to their children in private. To aid you in learning about this day and how to mark it in the best way possible, Or Vechom Hahiskashrus is pleased to share a short overview of the history and importance of this special day.
HISTORY OF YOM GIMMEL D’SELICHOS
For many years, the importance of the day was unknown and kept as a secret from the Chassidim. The Rebbeim would mark the day by delivering a Maamer in private to their children, and grandchildren. In 5705, the Frierdiker Rebbe revealed the importance of the day, thus beginning the custom of saying over public Maamorim on this day, a practice also done by the Rebbe.
In the words of the Frierdiker Rebbe: (Sefer Hamamorim 5705, Page 236)
ביום השלישי דסליחות הוא יום המוגבל והמיועד להוד כ"ק אדמו"ר הזקן לדורותיו לאמר רק לפני בנו המיוחד הוד כ"ק אדמו"ר האמצעי, וכשהי' הוד כ"ק אאזמו"ר הרה"ק צמח צדק כבן עשר אמר גם לפניו, מאמר חסידות ביחידות ויצו עליו אשר איש לא ידע מזה, והוד כ"ק אאזמו"ר הרה"ק צ"צ הי' אומר ביום ג' דסליחות מאמר של הוד כ"ק אדמו"ר הזקן לפני הוד כ"ק אאזמו"ר מוהר"ש, ויצו עליו אשר איש לא ידע מזה. והוד כ"ק אאזמו"ר הרה"ק מוהר"ש הי' אומר דרוש ביום ג' דסליחות לפני הוד כ"ק אאמו"ר הרה"ק וביום ג' דסליחות תרנ"ה הואיל כ"ק אאמו"ר הרה"ק לאמר לפני דרוש זה ויצוני על הסוד עד הזמן שיצוה לגלות.
In the Hakdoma to ‘Kuntres Chai Elul 5710’ of the Frierdiker Rebbe, the Rebbe writes that for many years the day of Chai Elul and Yom Gimmel D’Selichos were kept hidden, but now permission has been granted to reveal these important days and the Frierdiker Rebbe revealed it to the world.
The Rebbe explains that the reason why this is only being revealed in our generation is that we find ourselves in the time of ‘Ikvisa D’Mishicha,’ at the end of Golus when we are exposed to special powers to bring Moshiach that previous generations were not able to attain. The Rebbe compared it to the time of war, that in a time of need, the king will open his vaults and use all of his resources to be victorious, even rare treasures that have been collected year after year, generation after generation, that have been hidden and sealed from all eyes, quoting from the eleventh Perek of Kuntres 10 Shevat 5710 of the Frierdiker Rebbe.
THE POWER OF THREE
In the Sicha of Yom Gimmel D’Selichos, Chof Gimmel Elul, 5748, the Rebbe explains that although the Frierdiker Rebbe did not give any reasoning for what makes this day so special, there is a very clear reasoning behind it. The Rebbe went on to list several reasons:
- It is known that the Torah is connected with the number three: It has three parts, Torah, Nevi’im, and Kesuvim. It was given on Har Sinai during the third month - Sivan, on the third day, to a nation split into three categories; Kohen, Levi, Yisroel, and many other interesting things connected with the number three.
- Tuesday is a special day, "הוכפל בו כי טוב," and Yom Gimmel D’Selichos is always on Tuesday.
- The concept of forgiveness is connected with number three, for it was on the third time that Moshe went up Har Sinai that Hashem told him, “סלחתי כדברך.”
- There are three words the Torah uses to describe forgiveness: Mechilah, Selicha, and Kaparah, again connecting the number three with Selichos.
HOW TO MARK THE DAY
During the Sicha of Yom Gimmel D’Selichos of 5751 (English), the Rebbe described a couple of ways to mark this day:
- “It would be appropriate to learn one of the Maamorim [said on this day] (or at least a portion of it), each to their own throughout the 24 hours…”
- “And surely a “Shturemdike Farbrengen” should be arranged, and the Farbrengen should be specifically with great joy…”
As per the Rebbe’s suggestion, we are pleased to present the Rebbe’s Maamorim said on this day:
מאמר ד"ה לך אמר לבי תש"כ - הוגה ע"י כ"ק אדמו"ר ויו"ל בקונטרס ג' דסליחות תשמ"ט: מוגה | בלתי מוגה | Audio