11 Nissan

11 Nissan
11 Nissan
	Rabbi M. M. Schneerson
Observed by	Chabad-Lubavich community
Type	Commemoration
Significance	Birthday of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson
Date	11 Nissan
2023 date	April 2
2024 date	April 19
2025 date	March 29
2026 date	April 18
Frequency	Annual

11 Nissan or Yud Aleph Nissan (Hebrew: י״א נִיסָן Yūʾd ʾAl ef Nī sān lit. 'the eleventh of Nissan') is a holiday on the Chabad-Lubavitch calendar that marks the birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Rabbi Schneerson was born on April 5, 1902 corresponding to 11 Nissan 5662.

History

Leading up to the Lubavitcher Rebbe's birth, Chabad-Lubavitch was under the leadership of the Frierdiker Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn. His mother Rebbetzin Chana Schneersohn had two sons already, Dovber Schneerson and Yisroel Aryeh Leib Schneerson.^[1]

The Lubavitcher Rebbe was born on April 18 [O.S. April 5] 1902 (11 Nissan, 5662), in the Black Sea port of Nikolaev in the Russian Empire (now Mykolaiv in Ukraine).^[2]

The Lubavitcher Rebbe would observe the Frierdiker Rebbe's birthday, 12 Tammuz, by visiting the Ohel (the gravesite of the Frierdiker Rebbe) every year.

During the Rebbe’s leadership, the Rebbe would observe his birthday, 11 Nissan (as well as 25 Adar, the Rebbetzin’s birthday) as a special day every year by going to the Ohel. In 5712 (the Rebbe’s fiftieth birthday), the Rebbe said a maamar to a group of Chassidim, and in 5722 (the Rebbe’s sixtieth birthday) the Rebbe held a special farbrengen. From 5731 onwards, the Rebbe held a farbrengen or said a sicha each year in connection with Yud-Alef Nissan.^[3]

From the beginning of the Rebbe's leadership, it was customary for followers of the Rebbe, mainly students of Tomchei Tmimim to arrange a Yechidut (private audience) with the Lubavitcher Rebbe or write a Pan (personal letter) to him on their Hebrew birthday.^[3]

After the Lubavitcher Rebbe passed away on June 12, 1994 (3 Tammuz 5754), his followers intensified their celebrations of his birthday, observing it with even greater enthusiasm than when he was alive.^[4]

Commemoration

Followers of the Lubavitcher Rebbe commemorate his birthday every year on 11 Nissan, recognizing it as a time for reflection on the Rebbe's contributions to Jewish life and his leadership.^[5]

Many followers from around the world visit 770 Eastern Parkway (the headquarters of Chabad as well as the synagogue of the Lubavitcher Rebbe) and the Ohel (the gravesite of the Lubavitcher Rebbe and the Frierdiker Rebbe).^[6]

Some Chabad followers conduct special gatherings such as rallies and concerts, often attracting thousands of participants.^[7]

Recognition

The United States recognizes 11 Nissan as "Education and Sharing Day," In 1978, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution to designate this day in recognition of the Lubavitcher Rebbe's efforts to promote educational values.^[8] The first proclamation was made by President Jimmy Carter, who acknowledged the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s influence in shaping education.^[9] Since then, each U.S. president has continued to formally recognize this day.^[10] ^[11]

This day was established to honor the Lubavicher Rebbe's commitment and contributions to education and moral values, which he believed were essential for a healthy society^[12]^[13]