At the Last Sunday Dollars…

Presented by the Derher

As he would every Sunday, the Rebbe stood ready to give dollars to a growing line in 770. But on this Sunday, the 26th of Adar I, 5752, dollars would be very different.

At 2PM the Rebbe entered Gan Eden Hatachton to daven Mincha with a small minyan, and distributed coins for Tzedoka to all those present and allowed two Chassanim to use his siddur.

In the meantime, a large crowd had gathered to come to see the Rebbe that Sunday. In addition to those who would usually attend Sunday dollars, many large groups of guests had come to the Rebbe for Shabbos and would pass by to receive his blessing before returning home.

There was also a significant inflow of Vizhnitzer Chassidim who had come for dollars that day; since the Vizhnitzer Rebbe from Israel was making a family Simcha in the United States at that time, many of his Chassidim who came to New York used the opportunity to visit the Rebbe and receive his holy blessing.

The distribution continued until 7.30 that evening. The next day, Monday 27 Adar I, the Rebbe had a stroke while at the Ohel. Since then, we as Chassidim await the day that the Rebbe will return in his full strength and lead us out of Galus, may it be Bekarov Mamosh!

The following are small excerpts of conversations with the Rebbe during those final dollars:

“Take part in the Haoros!”

Rabbi Avrohom Hecht introduced his grandson to the Rebbe, informing the Rebbe that his grandson’s birthday had been the week before.
The Rebbe (handing two dollars): He should be a Yerei Shomayim, Chossid and Lamdan. Which grandson is he?
Rabbi Hecht: He is from California.
The Rebbe: He learns in California?
Rabbi Hecht: No, he learns now in Morristown.
The Rebbe (handing an additional dollar): Hatzlocha Rabba in Morristown. You should partake by writing in the “Haoros Hatmimim” that they produce in Morristown.

Asking from Angels?

A Chossid (not a Lubavitcher) approached the Rebbe and asked a question: The Tzemach Tzedek writes in Shoresh Mitzvas Hatfilah (117a) that one is not to recite those parts of davening that request of the angels to petition from Hashem on our behalf. Why then do we find that the custom is to recite them?
The Rebbe: “It is surprising that you would ask such a question when the Tzemach Tzedek himself already offers the explanation, and it has already been printed (Hagahos to Torah Or, Ner Chanukah): We are not davening to the angels, rather we are asking of them to serve as messengers, bringing our requests up to Hashem.”1

“Thank you for the Gift!”

To a famous Russian artist who told the Rebbe that he is working on drawing a picture of the Rebbe in honor of his ninetieth birthday, the Rebbe responded (in Russian): “Blessing and success. Thank you for the gift. This [the extra dollar] is for your entire family.”

Long Healthy Years!

To an individual who said to the Rebbe, “Rebbe, I need a recovery!” the Rebbe responded: “In a good time. B’suros Tovos. May you have long and healthy years.”

Already on his Way!

Rabbi Krinsky approached the Rebbe with an editor of the New York Post.
The Rebbe: “Publicize in your newspaper that Moshiach is coming soon, and is not only coming but he’s already on his way!”

This Generation Davka!’

Towards the end of the distribution, a news-reporter approached the Rebbe and asked: “Rebbe, why does this generation deserve to see the Geula; this generation Davka?”
The Rebbe: “Because the number of this year is הי’ תהא שנת נפלאות בתוכה בכל.”

1 See the Rebbe’s footnote to the section “Machnisei Rachamim” in Slichos, printed in the back of Chabad Slichos. It should be noted that this same explanation is offered as to why we write a Paan to the Rebbe, and some Chassidim would actually write this in the header of the Paan. See Reshimos, Choveres 156; Toras Menachem Vol. 1 p. 39.

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