Birhdays, Stories, Minhagim, Mazal (Beis Rivkah Seminary 5780) 1) History of the celebration of birthdays (way before 25 Adar 5748) from the Ba’al Shem Tov onward. By the Rabbeiim it was secret and private until 5687. In that year, when the Rebbe RaYaTz survived his imprisonment and exile he began saying Chassidus in public on 12 Tamuz. By the Rebbe on the decade until 5731 when it became a yearly thing. 2) The customs, farbrengen, Chazering Chassidus, saying Shehecheyanu, [learning the Perek on Roshei Chodesh] and last but not least the idea of being מתבודד (alone) and taking stock etc. 3) The idea of Mazal by Yidden and מזלו גבר on the birthday, and the question of זכות vs מזל.
