Title: From Day To Day: Young Scholar’s Daily Calendar & Encyclopedia
Author: Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (the seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe)
Translated by Rabbi Dr. Nissan Mindel
A book of daily Torah study for children and young adults – From Day to Day: Young Scholar’s Calendar & Encyclopedia – was just republished by Nissan Mindel Publications.
This rediscovered treasure was the project of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, which he compiled in 1943 as a calendar and in 1944 as an encyclopedia, as instructed by his father-in-law, Rabbi Joseph Isaac Schneerson, the sixth Chabad Rebbe, whom he later succeeded as Rebbe in 1950.
This recently revised edition now includes a Hebrew translation of the original English and the two years, 1943 and 1944, are combined into one attractive and colorful hardcover book.
During the decade of his leadership in America, from 1940 to 1950, Rabbi Joseph Isaac Schneerson laid the foundation for Chabad’s far-reaching and innovative activities, with particular emphasis on education. Towards this end he initiated the many publications for young and old in many languages – many of which have become classics. Among these publications were the first of its kind, popular children’s monthly magazines – Talks and Tales in English and Shmuessen Mit Kinder in Yiddish, written and edited by Rabbi Dr. Nissan Mindel.
During these early years of Chabad in America, Rabbi Nissan Mindel also wrote From Day to Day – a daily study for young scholars – working with and under the direction of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, as he did with other projects.
In the introductions of both years, the Rebbe’s inimitable style and warmth comes across; his message to the children is educational, practical and encouraging. His selection of Torah thoughts is gleaned from the parsha and its commentaries, Tanach, Mishnah and Talmud, halacha, customs and Midrash. These carefully selected and arranged Torah teachings are presented to his young audience in a way that stimulates the mind and touches the heart and always, in a practical and personal manner, where the deed is emphasized. Another solid educational tool used are the many questions interspersed throughout, which serve to further inquiry and study.
At the end of each month is a blank page divided into four sections for the children’s personal notations, where they are encouraged to jot down their accomplishments in Torah and mitzvos during each week of that month.
Those familiar with Rabbi Nissan Mindel’s writings and his concise and lucid style will not be disappointed, as the text remains unchanged, except for some old English terms which have been changed to modern English.
As a teacher of young children, I have for many years been using in my classroom the Hayom Yom – a popular book geared for the general public with daily Torah thoughts, and I have seen great benefits to the children in their general knowledge of Torah and mitzvos and more importantly, in their yiras shomayim. And now, with this newly-published From Day to Day I am confident that even more can be accomplished, since this is a book written specifically for the young. I encourage parents, teachers and counselors to take full advantage of this unique book – not only for the Torah knowledge it imparts but also for the inspiration to action it generates. A worthwhile investment, indeed.
From Day to Day: Young Scholar’s Calendar and Encyclopedia is available in Judaica stores and on line at nissanmindelpublications.com.