Initiative Decided Upon 2 Years Ago in Almaty Continues

A letter written to the group who traveled by chartered flight to Almaty, Kazakhstan for Chof Av, 5780, by Shliach Rabbi Eliezer Zaklikovsky, Monroe, NJ

Dearest Chaverim,

Since returning yesterday, I am still on a high from the overwhelming emotional experience of our trip.

Without sounding repetitive, I would like to add my sincere thanks and heartfelt appreciation to those who made this incredible trip possible.

I would like to attempt to put into words what so many of us are feeling…

I have spent many a Chof Av in Almaty, but this one certainly stands out.

Yes, we are in the middle of a pandemic when the entire concept of traveling was in question until the very last days. The fact that the government allowed the Visas is in and of itself extraordinary.

However, in addition to the multiple special moments of the trip, there are 2 unique features of this year that made it so very special:

The first was the beauty of traveling as one group:

The fact that 90 Chasidim traveled in unison together on one single direct flight via chartered plane, so, in essence, the trip already began in JFK airport. The entire trip from the moment we left to the moment we concluded at the Rebbe’s Ohel upon returning, was one long intense and extraordinary experience of Ahava and Achva.

The Chassidishe brotherly love felt by all and towards all was palpable, with so many different people all going for the same purpose (at a considerable financial commitment): Anash, Shluchim, Askanim, Baalei Batim, etc.

The Farbrengens and Davening. Each moment, while traveling, you could find clusters of small Farbrengens throughout the plane, (of course, with the help of the constant over-the-top buffet of Mashke and Farbeisin!), where you can enjoy a story, a Vort, a Hergesh, a Nigun, or learning a Sicha. The many minyanim (having 9 Chiyuvim on board, myself included), davening together in groups, all made the travel itself so special, beautiful, and spiritual.

When people are all traveling from different directions with many different airlines, only briefly meeting up near the Ohel, as in a regular Chof Av trip, the experience is not the same.

Secondly, the total and complete focus of the trip:

There was no extended hotel stay with lectures and events, outside of the time spent at and immediately adjacent to the Ohel. Somehow, the focus of the experience was purer and more wholesome because every moment of the short hours in Almaty was spent near the Ohel.

Surely, the experience of the White House representative making his announcement, and the Kovod and honor it brought cannot be underestimated.

I find it difficult to describe the feelings of the overall trip (especially to someone who has not experienced it himself). The entire trip was so emotional, so uplifting and all encompassing, connecting you with the Rebbe on such a personal level, unparalleled in any other way.

Few things that we do for the Rebbe are as personal. Of course, there are Mivtzoim, learning the Rebbe’s Torah, supporting the Rebbe’s Mosdos, or even being on Shlichus.

However, this trip of visiting the Rebbe’s father has a very intense personal nature to it, like naming your child after the Rebbe’s family member, or giving money to the Rebbe personally-Maamed. It is something so personal and so dear, and therefore, the connection you experience is just on another level.

“Ashreinu Mah Tov Chelkeinu”, how fortunate we are that we have the opportunity to connect in this personal way.

May the inspiration of the trip be a “Pe’ula Nimsheches”, as the Rebbe says, and may we continue to live every day in a way that the Rebbe wants from us and bring the Rebbe much, much Nachas!

VIDEO: 3 Minute Recap Chof Av in Almaty

[PS: To the unfortunate would-be questioners: All I may say is, that after you listen to the Rebbe’s Farbrengens concerning his parents, learn the Rebbe’s Sichos on his Father’s Torah, read Toldos Levi Yitzchak and the diary of Rebbetzin Chana, and spend Chof Av in Almaty, your questions will most likely be answered.]

**

During the Farbrengen is Almaty, Chof Av 2 years ago a Hachlata was made to learn a Torah from the Baal Hahilulah each week, as the Rebbe requested in the famous letter of 5744.

Thus, began a weekly issue called “Toras Levi Yitzchak”, being published and shared by WhatsApp and via internet sites etc.

The weekly issue is written and elucidated by Rabbi Eli Wolf and edited and published by Rabbi Eliezer Zaklikovsky.

Now on its 112th issue, entering its 3rd year of weekly publication.

Click here to download this week’s issue

To join the group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/5Hdzaj5PtvtGYMClK2xqwN