My Experience With The Rebbe Last Shabbos

By Yosef Sufrin, Oak Park, Michigan

Yosef Sufrin and his son Sholom joined a group of 20 fellow chassidim from Detroit, and over 130 from around the world, for an uplifting Shabbos Anash at the Rebbe’s Ohel last week. Below is an authentic description of his trip.

Part 1: Friday, 30 Shevat
Arrival and Going to the Ohel
A few years ago, I went to spend Shabbos at the Ohel for ג’ תמוז. There were hundreds of Yidden there, and it was so packed that I didn’t really get a chance to connect on my level—it was too overwhelming for me.

This Shabbos, however, was completely different. I went in thinking it would be nice to spend Shabbos with some fellow Chassidim from around the world, but that doesn’t even begin to describe the experience.

I drove in with my son and others from Detroit, MI, and we arrived at the Ohel around 8:30 AM on Friday morning. I quickly went to the Mikvah and then went inside the tent. I sat down to learn some Chassidus by myself while my son sat and contemplated what to write in his פ”ן.

I was tired but focused, and I was able to daven like a mentch. After davening, we went to hear R’ Shais Taub give a short shiur on going into the Ohel and how that is how we go into yechidus nowadays.

I really enjoyed his presentation and found that it resonated well with me. After the shiur, I was able to easily get into the correct mindset and went to daven by the Rebbe. After spending some quality time inside the Ohel, I retreated back to the tent.

After traveling all night and not eating anything in the morning, it was finally time to feed my guf. I had a coffee and some Ohel cookies, then went to the trailer for brunch. After that, I went to lie down so that I would have the energy to participate in the Friday night activities.

It had been a busy morning, but BH, so far things were looking good.

Part 2: Friday Night
Rambam Inspiration
I woke up about an hour before Shabbos, quickly got dressed, and headed back to the Ohel where we davened Mincha. After Mincha, they served some pre-Shabbos food, and we watched a short Rebbe video.

Kabbalas Shabbos was led by R’ Getsel Itzinger, and it had a really special atmosphere. I can only describe it as pregnant with anticipation for what was yet to come. I was excited but still not quite sure what it was going to be like. I needn’t have worried.

BH, the Friday night meal was good, and the company was excellent. After the first course, some bochurim set up a small stage with a shtender near where we were eating. We then proceeded with the Siyum HaRambam. There were some nice speeches, and we sang a little, but the best was yet to come.

After the Siyum and main course, R’ Paltiel began the Farbrengen. The primary focus was on learning the shiur Rambam, and he shared some powerful stories to illustrate the importance of Mishnah Torah. Now, we were in territory I knew. (Having been part of a group of Yidden who would get together nightly for a shiur on one chapter of Rambam. We did this for about four years, when for some reason or another, the shiur fizzled out. I know some members continued with their commitment of one chapter a day, but I, myself, was not so consistent on the daily.)

I decided then and there that I would recommit to one chapter a day.

The Farbrengen continued in a lovely and lively way. At this point, my son and I were both exhausted, and we decided to call it a night. We headed back to where we were staying and settled in for the night.

If the weekend had ended here, Dayenu—it would have been enough. But I was in for a real treat.

Part 3: Shabbos Day, 1 Adar
An all-day Farbrengen
I woke up a little later than intended, but I wasn’t going to let that get me down. I quickly dressed and left the house to go to Mikvah. The weather was unbelievably beautiful, BH. After Mikvah, I proceeded to the tent, where I was able to catch most of R’ Y. Paltiel’s Ma’amer Shiur. During that time, there was also a short program for the boys, which my son was able to join (thank you to Mottel and the organizers).

As I was preparing for davening, my son asked if we could daven Shacharis at the Ohel itself. My initial thought was, no, we don’t go to the Ohel on Shabbos. But then I thought to myself, “Here is a neshama that wants to connect—who am I to stand in his way?” So, we headed over to the Ohel, where, lo and behold, there was already a minyan davening there. As I mentioned earlier, the weather was phenomenal, so it was very pleasant to be outside and daven.

After Shacharis, we headed inside for Kriyas HaTorah, where my son was zecher to get the glilah. We then davened Musaf, led by our very own R’ Dovi Davidson.

After davening was complete, we went to sit for the Shabbos seudah. The food was even better than Friday night, with challah, salmon, dips, and salads. L’chaims were said to whoever was in our field of vision, and R’ Leima Wilhelm started the Farbrengen in earnest.

Cholent was served, and we continued to make l’chaims to open us up and accept what was being spoken about. The topic was primarily the importance of coming and showing up with the Rebbe and being mekushar with the Rebbe.

As the day wore on, I took a short walk with my son before the boys’ program started. When we came back, R’ Y. Paltiel had joined the Farbrengen and spoke passionately about constantly battling to be the best parents we can be—to continually strive to educate our kids on the basics of Yiddishkeit.

I don’t know at what point exactly, but at some point, I decided I really wanted to push myself, and I took on the hachlata to do three chapters of Rambam daily. There were also a few other hachlatos that I decided I wanted to take with my family once I got back home.

The Farbrengen continued until after Shabbos went out. We then did Havdalah, and with a snuff of the candle, Shabbos was gone. All too soon, it felt like this amazing weekend was coming to a rapid conclusion.

But Hashem had one last gift for us before it was done.

Part 4: Motzei Shabbos
Conclusion
After Havdalah, I went back to the house to grab my phone, then we went back to the Ohel to wait for the buses that would take us to Crown Heights.

BH, the ride was uneventful. When we got to Crown Heights, our first stop was at the Rebbe’s house. We had about ten minutes to say some Tehillim and tour the main floor of the Rebbe’s house. We were then whisked off to 770 for a tour by R’ Yossel Katzman.

We started outside, where the temperature had dropped to freezing and a cold wind was blowing, but that wasn’t going to deter us. After briefly explaining the rooms on the various floors of 770, we went back inside, where it was nice, light, and warm. He then showed us some other areas of 770 and explained some of the history too. He was a fountain of knowledge, but sadly, we had to leave 770 as dinner and Farbrengen were starting at Rubashkin’s.

We hurried over to Rubashkin’s on President Street in the freezing cold. When we got there, the door was open and light was spilling out. We headed down to the basement, where tables had been set up. BH, the food was excellent, and the company was superb. Unfortunately, I had a hard time hearing the Farbrengen, but it was nice just to be there in that warm atmosphere.
Once the buses arrived to take us back, we said our goodbyes and headed back to the Ohel.

It had been a whirlwind of a Shabbos, but it was packed with positive feelings and experiences.

Reflection
Am I a changed man? Am I the same person who showed up on Friday with my doubts and insecurities? Possibly. But I’d like to think that I am a little bit different, a little more confident, a little more connected, and a little more self-belief. Only time will tell, but I believe in what I’m doing, and I believe that the Rebbe is with me, guiding me, and believing in me in a way that I don’t believe in myself yet.

This Shabbos reinforced in me the need to stay connected and keep my batteries charged. I feel uplifted in a way that I haven’t felt in a long time.

Thank you, Hashem
Thank you, Rebbe

Thank you to all those who organized this incredible Shabbos Anash.

May Hashem pour His Brachos on you Ad Bli Dai.

May we merit the immediate redemption with the coming of Moshiach now!