Tantrum in the Rebbe’s Room

By COLlive reporter

Hundreds of Shluchim, friends and Baalei Batim from the New York Metropolitan area gathered at the Rebbe’s Ohel this week for an evening of connection with the Rebbe and re-dedication to his teachings.

It was held in connection with Gimmel Tammuz and was organized by Central Lubavitch Youth Organization (Tzeirei Agudas Chabad Hamerkozis).

Rabbi Anchelle Perl, Shliach in Mineola, NY masterfully conducted the evening as the MC and thanked the Executive Committee of the Lubavitch Youth Organization for their steady help, dedication, concern and involvement.

The participants heard a moving talk by Hon. Robert Abrams, former Attorney General, State of New York.

In introducing the former Attorney General, Rabbi Shmuel Butman, Director of Lubavitch Youth Organization, noted that Mr. Abrams has been a great friend of the Rebbe and Lubavitch for many decades and expressed great appreciation for his participation this evening.

Robert Abrams spoke eloquently and movingly about his relationship with the Rebbe and how the Rebbe blessed him and his wife Dianne, who came with him to the Ohel, with their second daughter. “We can never thank the Rebbe enough for this special gift,” he said and told of his personal encounters with Shluchim all over the world.

Rabbi Yitzchok Schochet, the high-profile Rabbi of the Mill Hill Synagogue in London, England, spoke of a Yechidus (audience) with the Rebbe that a couple and their 3 year old son had.

“In the middle of the Yechidus the 3 year old sat down in the middle of the floor in the Rebbe’s room and started crying. The Rebbe asked the father “Vos veint er?” (why is he crying?) and then called over the young boy, put his holy hands on his head and blessed him.

“I was that 3 year-old,” Rabbi Schochet revealed to the applause of the participants, pointing out how the Rebbe took sincere interest even in the troubles of a young Jewish child.

Rabbi Schochet went on to speak about the Rebbe’s dedication to the particular needs of each individual and how we can dedicate ourselves to this noble goal. From the reaction of the participants one was able to see how deeply his words resonated.

Chazan Schneur Zalman Baumgarten sang several Chassidic niggunim with the enthusiastic participation of the crowd.

The MC thanked the participants for coming, thanked Rabbi Shmuel Butman and Rabbi Yossi Butman for organizing this event and thanked the Hanhola of the Lubavitch Youth Organization.

The electrifying feeling was clearly evident in the air. The participants left with a great feeling of inspiration, resolve and commitment to do more and more to realize the Rebbe’s mission of preparing the world for the great imminent Redemption.

Rabbi Yitzchok Schochet speech:

Hon. Robert Abrams speech: