Crowds Converge on Rebbe’s Ohel

Chabad.org
Photos: Bentzi Sasson

A bus full of passengers left Tenafly, N.J., on Tuesday for a trip to Queens, N.Y. More specifically, the group was headed to the Ohel, the resting place of the Lubavitcher Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory. The visit is timed to honor his yahrtzeit, the 22nd anniversary of his passing on the third day of the Hebrew month of Tammuz (Gimmel Tammuz), which this year corresponds to July 8-9.

The Rebbe’s yahrtzeit is a time for reflection, learning, prayer, recommitment and positive action by Jewish people everywhere. Around the world, Jewish communities will gather for programs and events made even more compelling in this Hakhel year. Chabad Houses across six continents will hold Kiddush luncheons and farbrengens this Shabbat in honor of Gimmel Tammuz.

And, as is customary, tens of thousands will be sending letters to the Rebbe in advance of the yahrtzheit.

Visitors have been pouring into New York over the past few days to stay the weekend, as the yahrtzeit falls over Shabbat. Temperatures are expected to hover around 90 degrees, with the possibility of thunderstorms in the forecast. Rain, however, won’t dampen the spirits of those who will wait patiently in long lines for a turn to pay their respects.

Tenafly resident Zarina Kosinovsky, who went to the Ohel on Tuesday evening as part of the group from Lubavitch of the Palisades, says she found the visit a spiritually enriching experience. “It makes you better just by going because it gets you to refocus on what’s important and to commit to being a better version of yourself,” she says.

Rabbi Mordechai Shain, co-director of Lubavitch on the Palisades in Tenafly, organized the trip and a series of other events running throughout the weekend, including Shabbat programming, in commemoration of the Rebbe.

“The Rebbe’s influence continues,” he says, adding that the emissaries’ presence in his community and their work are all a result of the Rebbe. “We’re asking everyone to come and commemorate the Rebbe’s 22nd year.”