Learning From Rebbetzin Chana

Bochurim in Crown Heights for Tishrei gathered for a series of special events Tuesday afternoon and evening to mark the 50th Yartzeit of Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson obm, the Rebbe’s mother.

At a panel event in the Jewish Children’s Museum, bochurim heard from Rabbi Simon Jacobson about the special day of Vov Tishrei, and how it is connected with Moshiach.

Rabbi Jacobson explained this point with quotes from Sichos of the Rebbe, where the Rebbe described the education the Rebbe received from his mother, Rebbetzin Chana. The Rebbe said on 11 Nissan 5739, that he came from a home where they never stopped doing what’s right, ignoring anyone who may have ridiculed or degraded them. This is a lesson for all of us, Rabbi Jacobson explained, that we must take the Rebbe’s directives to heart personally, and make it our goal to do all we can to reach out to as many people as possible and bring them the Rebbe’s message that just one more good deed can bring Moshiach.

This was followed by a talk by Rabbi Sholom Jacobson, who presented memoirs and different interesting anecdotes about Rebbetzin Chana.

Rabbi Sholom Jacobson related that when Mrs. Springer was in a DP camp with Rebbetzin Chana, the Rebbetzin called her in to her home and showed her how even she, an older woman, had a mirror. She explained, “veil a bas yisroel darf oiskuken shein” – “because a Jewish woman must look nice.”

It’s interesting to note that on Pesach 5741 when the Rebbe visited the Pesach Seder at Machon Chana, the Rebbe requested to see some of the school’s other rooms. One of the comments from the Rebbe was that every room should have a mirror “veil a bas yisroel darf oiskuken shein.”

The panel was one of a series of events organized for American and English speaking bochurim, including farbrengens, programs and a daily publication titled ‘bechatzros kodsheinu’.

Israeli bochurim also took part in events marking the auspicious day, gathering for an event with Chabad Librarian Rabbi Sholom Ber Levin, who shared his memories of the time following the passing of Rebbetzin Chana.

A large farbrengen was held Tuesday night as well, with the Rebbe’s chozer Rabbi Yoel Kahn, who encouraged the bochurim to strengthen their hiskashrus to the Rebbe, by studying his teachings, and to utilize this month of Tishrei with the Rebbe to the fullest.