Shabbos Hei Teves at the Ohel

Over seven hundred people came to spend Shabbos Hei Teves by the Rebbe’s Ohel, participating in shiurim and farbrengens organized by Vaad Ohr V’chom Hahishkashrus.

Present were over a hundred shluchim from throughout the America and as far as China and Thailand and hundreds of Yeshivah bochurim from Oholei Torah, Morristown, Westchester and Montreal.

A few entire Yeshivahs came in together with their Hanhollah members who held farbrengens with them throughout the Shabbos, including Rabbi Nochum Buckiet from Baltimore and Rabbis Shmayah Shmotkin and Mendel Shemtov from Detroit, with other Yeshivahs sending in representatives of their Yeshivahs including Toronto, Chicago and Yeshivahs in Eretz Yisroel.

Some 60 ladies and girls also gathered for the occasion with special accommodations, shiurim and Shabbos Seudahs. Over 50 children also were present with children’s programs and activities being held for their benefit.

The events started Erev Shabbos with a viewing of JEM’s video about Hei Teves “A Movement on Trial”. The Rebbe’s deep pain from the Seforim case and the inner significance of the case explained by the Rebbe as a disputation that the life of a Rebbe is eternal after his Histalkus is clearly evident; pertinent now more than ever.

Following Mincha by the Rebbe’s Ohel the crowd gathered to hear divrei hisorerus on this great and auspicious day.

Rabbi Yossi Groner related a story which happened in the early years of the Rebbe’s leadership when once a few Chassidim were discussing the coming of Moshiach near the Rebbe’s room. Suddenly, the Rebbe walked out of his room and remarked “Azoi vet er kumen” – In this manner Moshiach will come. We must do more and more looking for opportunities to bring the Rebbe nachas and connect Jews to the Rebbe. Rabbi Groner made mention of the Rambam which was oft quoted by the Rebbe that a person has to see himself and the world at large as on an equal balance and that with one positive thought, speech or action one can tip the scales and bring Geulah to the world.

Rabbi Berl Shemtov spoke of the first Tishrei following Gimmel Tammuz during which a mere few dozen bochurim and shluchim came to be by the Rebbe’s Ohel and now we see for Shabbos Hei Teves how literally hundreds and hundreds have come from far and near. However, we can not be content with this in the slightest. We can not forget the Rebbe’s vision to affect the entire Jewish people and indeed the whole world. We can not rest until all 15,000,000 Jews will come to visit the Rebbe.

Throughout the day words of inspiration and farbrengens were held with Rabbis Yosef Chaim Kantor, Asi Shpigel, Danny Cohen and Heshy Spalter.

Rabbi Yoske Greenberg made mention of the unforgettable sichah said on Motzei Shabbos Terumah 5748, a short time after the Histalkus of the Rebbetzin, in which the Rebbe discussed and gave instructions regarding the situation after Gimmel Tammuz. In this sichah the Rebbe spoke at length regarding the statement of the Rebbetzin said by the court deposition that “The Seforim belong to the chassidim because my father belonged to the chassidim,” saying that this statement was pivotal in causing the court ruling for the good of Aguch. Over Shabbos many noted that in just over a month will be the thirtieth Yartzeit of the Rebbetzin and preparations must be made ahead of time to properly mark this important date, both by coming in to New York to visit the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin and throughout the world.

Both Friday night and Motzei Shabbos farbrengens and dancing lasted into the morning with all leaving inspired by being in the Rebbe’s presence for this special Yom Tov of Dor Hashvii and spurred to added action to hurry the revelation of Moshiach tekef umiyad mamash.