Reb Chuna Insists on Attending

An overflowing crowd attended a Melava Malka, held at the zal of Yeshiva Gedola Lubavitch London, in honor of the 200th year since the passing of the Alter Rebbe.

Rabbi Yitzchok Meir Hertz, Rosh Yeshiva, spoke of the lesson we learn from the time of the Histalkus, specifically on Motzei Shabbos, bringing out the true leadership quality of a Rebbe. He then went on to deliver a small shiur on a Halacha in the Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch.

Rabbi Gedalya Lieberman, a recent addition to the Hanhala at the Yeshiva Gedola, taught how just a few words inserted by the Alter Rebbe in his Shulchan Aruch can answer centuries’ old questions posed by many other great Halachic authorities.

The guest speaker was Rabbi Shloime Freshwater, Rov of the Sassov Beis Hamedrash, Rosh Yeshiva of Chayei Olam in Golders Green and a descendant of the Alter Rebbe.

After a short introduction, where he praised the existence of the Yeshiva Gedola and its benefit to the wider community, Rabbi Freshwater spoke on the theme of the continued Hashpa’a and chayus of a Tzadik even after his Histalkus, based on chapter 27 of Igeres Hakodesh in the sefer Tanya.

The event was honored with a last minute appearance by the Mara Deasra of Golders Green, Rabbi Elchanan Halpern. Despite his advanced age and having returned from the wedding of a great grandson in Isroel, he told his close associates that he must attend.

The Rav reminded the crowd of the great simcha in heaven on a day of a Histalkus, hence the name given “Yom Hillula”, and mentioned that even though 200 years had passed, we see the teachings and work of the Alter Rebbe continuously going stronger in all areas.

The event was chaired by the Mashpia Rabbi Mendel Gordon.