In honor of Yud Shevat, Tzivos Hashem has produced a powerful global farbrengen titled “What Is a Rebbe?”—an inspiring and engaging production for audiences worldwide.
The program is available in three formats:
For Children: Duration: 48:30
For Adults: Duration 27 minutes
Just the Story: Duration 7 Minutes
Resources Available:
Rabbi Shimmy Weinbaum extends his heartfelt gratitude to the exceptional rally production team, including producer Riki Winner and the talented 321 Motion team—Shamai Chein, Yisroel Grimberg, and Pesach Newman—for their outstanding filming and editing. Special thanks to JEM for providing archival footage and images, Chabad.org for broadcasting the event, and COLlive.com for sharing this meaningful program with their audience.
Full Video for kids:
Story Excerpt:
About the program:
This rally is more than just a gathering; it is a global farbrengen, bringing together Chassidim to reflect, connect, and strengthen their bond with the Rebbe.
The farbrengen begins with a focus on the special day of Yud Shevat, marking both the histalkus of the Frierdiker Rebbe and, most importantly, the day the Rebbe officially accepted leadership. We set the tone by singing the Beinuni, the Frierdiker Rebbe’s favorite niggun.
Then we speak about the mission of our generation to bring the Shechina back into this world. And we salute the chayolim who are doing such an incredible job at doing just that. And we go through the new Promotions from between 24 Kislev – 22 Teves • 12/25/24 – 1/22/25.
Moving deeper into the theme of the farbrengen, a group of Chayolim join in a discussion about what a Rebbe truly is.
We reflect on the unique connection every Jew shares with the Rebbe. Just as a child instinctively knows and feels a bond with their parents, our neshama recognizes the Rebbe as our Ruchnius’diker father, because our very soul is connected to his.
This idea is further explored through the concept of a נשיא, an acronym for ניצוץ של יעקב אבינו, meaning that just as Yaakov Avinu was the physical father of Bnei Yisrael, the Rebbe possesses a Neshama Klalis, a soul that includes and encompasses all Jewish souls of his generation.
To deepen this understanding, we listen to a sicha where the Rebbe explains the meaning of Rashi’s words, הנשיא הוא הכל—”the Nasi is everything”—emphasizing how each generation has a leader who serves as the source of life and guidance for all. This moment is punctuated by singing the Rebbe’s niggun, Hu Elokeinu, reinforcing the atmosphere.
Continuing, we explore the concept of the Rebbe as the ‘head’ of the Jewish people. Just as the brain directs and gives life to the body, the Rebbe is the guiding force for Klal Yisrael, transmitting Hashem’s energy to the world. We listen to another sicha from the Rebbe elaborating on this idea, followed by singing the stirring niggun Tzoma Lecho Nafshi.
To bring these teachings to life, Rabbi Levi Bukiet shares a powerful story about the Rebbe, illustrating how “every neshama that enters and leaves this world does so through the Rebbe’s room”. This powerful message underscores the Rebbe’s centrality in our spiritual lives.
Finally, we confront the big question: Why do we need a Rebbe? Why can’t we connect to Hashem directly? To explain, we use a moshul of Niagara Falls. The waterfalls produce immense energy, but one cannot simply plug into them. Instead, a turbine is needed to convert the raw power into electricity that people can use. Similarly, the Rebbe serves as a spiritual “turbine,” receiving Hashem’s divine energy and making it accessible to us. This is why the Rebbe is called a Tzadik Yesod Olom the Tzadik who is the foundation of the world, because without the Rebbe the world could not exist.
When Moshiach comes, everyone will see how Hashem’s energy comes through the Nosi Hador, and then everyone will be totally botel to him.
At this point, the children pose a thought-provoking question: If the Rebbe is transmitting Hashem’s energy, why do we need to actively connect to him? Using the example of electricity the children will understand that we can have electricity that comes all the way to our home but for us to use it, we need to PLUG IN.
We then plug in by saying the 12 Pessukim and beseeching Hashem for Moshiach to come NOW!
Then we encourage the children to plug in by writing a story for the Rebbe story contest.
Then we encourage the children to plug in by making a Hachloto of how many lines they will learn for the Rebbe’s Birthday.
After which there is an ad for the children who plugged in by learning the 613 Mitzvos to register for their rewards.
Then we close by plugging in using our final weapon Tzedoka. Keep in mind Gedolah Tzedoka Shemekareves es Hageulah, with encouragement to keep up their great work and bring the Shchina back on earth with the coming of Moshiach NOW!
How do the children earn medals? Only through schools or is there something online to send in?
You can do online if you dont have a school through anash kinder or something