Maamar delivered by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson
A-DONAI SEFASAI TIFTACH, 5712
By 5712 (1952), it had already become widespread knowledge among chassidim that Yud-Alef Nissan was the Rebbe’s 50th birthday and many had highlighted the day by increasing their study of the Torah and their gifts to charity. However, the Rebbe had never addressed them on that date, and there was no reason to think that practice would change. True, in answers given to certain individuals, there had been some hints that there would be something special that day, but nothing explicit had been said.
The Rebbe spent the day in prayer at the Ohel, the resting place of the Rebbe Rayatz. Upon his return, he asked to speak to three yeshivah students who were charged with organizing the review of chassidic teachings in other synagogues. Afterwards, he sent word that a select group of people — slightly more than 20 — should enter his room at 8:45 PM. When they did, he delivered the maamar entitled A-donai Sefasai Tiftach, a verse from psalm 51, the psalm the Rebbe began reciting that year.
That maamar emphasizes the uniqueness of the age of 50, citing our Sages’ comment, “At fifty, [one becomes fit to offer] counsel” and it speaks of the 50 Gates of Understanding, explaining that the fiftieth gate reflected a unique transcendent level of awareness.
