By COLlive reporter
The Library of Agudas Chassidei Chabad, adjacent to Lubavitch World Headquarters – 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, is exhibiting unique Menorahs that belonged to the Rebbes of Chabad in honor of Chanukah.
One of them is the Chanukah Menorah that was used by the Rebbe. Made of simple metal, it sports a Magen Dovid, the bracha on lighting the candles and 2 lions holding up a menorah.
“Despite the fact that the Rebbe received a gold menorah from one of the chasidim, the Rebbe always kindled the Chanukah lights using the present Menorah,” says Rabbi Berel Levine, Director and Curator of the library.
He notes that, “Likewise, the Rebbe always kept the wine for Kiddush in a glass bottle, wrapped in a paper bag. On Sukkos, he kept his Esrog in a cardboard box. The Rebbe did not agree to use a silver decanter for the wine or silver box for the Esrog.”
When the Rebbe was asked by R’ Zalman Jaffe from England why he doesn’t use the silver in his possession, the Rebbe replied (on 1st Rosh Chodesh Adar 5742): “One reason, if it will satisfy you, is that I do not wish to make a distinction between me and those surrounding me.”
Rabbi Levine added that “the remainder of the oil and wicks in the Menorah are from Chanukah 5754 (1993). At that time, the Menorah was kindled in the Rebbe’s office by his attendant, in the Rebbe’s presence.”
VIDEO: Rabbi Berel Levine speaks about the Menorahs of the Rebbeim
The Library is open daily from 11:00-5:00
Great video. Was well worth the 28 minutes. Thanks for posting.
where did it come from? … how long did the rebbe use it? … what is it made of? … how did he get it? … how old ist? … notice the brocha engraved into it is not like our minhag