Photo: Jem/ T he Living Archive / 139866 Photo:

"אתה הא-ל עושה פלא" Yud-Aleph Nissan with the

As Purim passed, the spirit of Yud-Alef Tuesday, 4 Nissan Nissan is palpable in the atmosphere at Before mincha, the Rebbe went to the 770. library to see off the matzos being sent On Motzei Shabbos Parshas Shemini, 23 for anash of Eretz Yisrael. The Rebbe 11 Nissan Adar II, the Rebbe held a fabrengen in removed a few pieces of matzah from 5738 honor of Shabbos mevorchim Nissan. each box, performing hafroshas challah, At the conclusion of the , the and then turned to the messengers who Rebbe gave out kos shel brocha. Before were transporting the matzah, telling the distribution began, the Rebbe gave them: Rabbi Moshe Yeruslavsky the leftover “I am making you shluchim to give over Zushe with a letter signed by over four challah and water from the farbrengen, to the matzah in Eretz Yisrael. It should be thousand people, asking the Rebbe be given to the guests that were already in distributed in the same manner as last to come to Eretz Yisrael to attend the town, as well as for those who would still year, through the Vaad Haruchni of Kfar celebration. come for Yud-Alef Nissan. . May you have a kosher and The Rebbe answered that he would not [Reb Moshe would oversee the hachnosas freilechen Pesach.” come, but sent $60 to be changed into orchim for the guests that would come to The Rebbe turned to Reb Zushe Rivkin, lirot and distributed among all that spend yomim tovim with the Rebbe. one of the shluchim, and said: signed.] When he entered yechidus after spending “You probably received my answer to The Rebbe now told him that there will Purim in 770, the Rebbe inquired as to your letter.” probably be more signatures added in the near future, so he will give a few more when he plans to travel back to his home [Reb Zushe was the gabbai of the newly dollars for them as well, adding that the in Eretz Yisrael; he replied “Gimmel constructed Beis Menachem shul in Kfar leftover money should be used for “gutte Nissan.” The Rebbe then asked him what Chabad, which was to be inaugurated zachen.” will be with the guests that come for Yud- on that very Yud-Alef Nissan. Anash Alef Nissan…? He obviously decided to in Eretz Yisrael decided to invite the Rabbi M. M. G. expressed his wish that stay through Yud Alef Nissan.] Rebbe to the celebration, sending Reb they should merit to spend the next

Nissan 5775 | 9 Rabbi Paldi from Eretz Yisrael (a well-known activist involved in “mihu yehudi”) published the following gimatriya’os in honor of Yud Alef Nissan: י"א ניסן תשל"ח - ע"ז = 996 רבינו יחזור לאיתנו = 996 ויאיר נרו עד יבא ינון בקרוב = 996 מטה ע"זך ישלח ה' After mincha, a group of elder chassidim entered Gan Eden Hatachton to bless the Rebbe in honor of the auspicious day. When the Rebbe arrived, Reb Moshe Pinchas HaKohen Katz benched the Rebbe, in the name of all the Chassidim, with a shnas hatzlocha. He emphasized Photo: Jem/ T he Living Archive / 21074 Photo: that the Rebbe should experience a quick Rabbi Mordechai Mentlik teaches a new michtav-kloli to the bochurim in the upstairs zal at 770 and speedy recovery from the heart attack on Shemini Atzeres; and that he Pesach together with the Rebbe in Eretz Rebbe encouraged the singing vigorously. should have much success in his holy Yisrael, to which the Rebbe replied Throughout the remaining hours of Yud- work in ‘turning over the world,’ for Reb Zushe then Alef Nissan, the Rebbe’s countenance many long and healthy years, together .”ותחזינה עינינו בשובך לציון“ added, “Der Rebbe zol zein gezunt.” The shone with a special happiness, which with the Rebbetzin; and to lead us Rebbe answered, “Gam atem.” of course spread to the Chassidim that towards the geulah ha’amitis v’hashleima. Before leaving to daven mincha, the had come to 770 in honor of the special occasion. When he concluded, the Rebbe Rebbe gave Reb Zushe a crown for the responded with a short sicha, saying that Sefer Torah of Beis Menachem, saying, A short while later, all of the anash and one who blesses another Jew is blessed “May this be a Kesser Torah for all bochurim sat down to hear a shiur from by the Aibershter, concluding with a Yidden.” Rabbi Mentlik on the michtav kloli that wish that we merit partake in the korban the Rebbe had issued this past Erev Rosh Pesach this year in Yerushalayim. Monday, 10 Nissan Chodesh. When he concluded, Reb Yoel Maariv took place in the small zal at Today, many orchim have arrived from Kahan led a joyous farbrengen during 9:00 with a small minyan, as most of the throughout the United States and which he expounded upon the different crowd was occupied with reserving a seat beyond, as well as many shluchim and levels of hiskashrus, explaining that while for the grand farbrengen, set to take place bochurim that were on Merkos Shlichus simple anash can be mekushar to the at 9:30. in many different areas. An entire group Rebbe though merely learning and of guests arrived from England, including writing a pan once a year, bochurim merit Farbrengen Rabbi Nachman Sudak and Rabbi Chaim to have a much higher level of hiskashrus, Farro, as well as an individual by the which requires them to do much more. At the set time, the Rebbe entered the name of Mr. Greenberg. (After mincha overly-crowded shul. The farbrengen on Yud-Alef Nissan, Rabbi Hodakov gave Tuesday, Yud-Alef Nissan began immediately with the first sicha, them matzah—in the Rebbe’s name—to Today’s date was declared by the United during which the Rebbe spoke of the distribute in their respective cites in the States Government as “Education Day personal element felt in this farbrengen, United Kingdom.) USA.” A resolution was signed by over as it is being held in honor of his yom huledes. As the Rebbe exited the shul after maariv, three hundred senators and congressmen the crowd began to quietly sing the nigun honoring the Rebbe’s efforts to promote a “When many Yidden gather together, on the Rebbe’s new kapittel for this year— proper education for people of all walks with the intent to bring their wishes to “Atah hokail oiseh felle”—but the Rebbe of life. Vice President Walter Mondale an individual who has merited—in the did not react to the song. Later, when participated in a special gathering which merit of his ancestors—to take part in the Rebbe left for home, those present took place in Washington DC in honor of the spreading of Yiddishkeit—which is began to sing again, and this time the the monumental occasion. a result of the inspiration coming from

10 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER the daled amos of the my father-in-law, rather it should continue with activities the students of Beis Sefer L’mlacha, who the Rebbe, the nossi hador—there lies an throughout the entire year.” were returning to Israel the next day, obligation to show hakoras hatov towards The Rebbe also encouraged the as well as to many of the shluchim and all those who have assembled. To connect Administration to assist the Israeli guests who had come from afar, all the it with a participation in the spreading of Army by providing them with arms and while encouraging the joyous singing. Torah and Yiddishkeit as it was started ammunition so that they can adequately by my father-in-law, the Rebbe, and protect the Yidden living in Eretz Yisrael. continues till this day, and will surely At the same time they should block all continue onward. such aid to Egypt, so that they will not “It is therefore a pleasant z’chus to thank be able to accomplish their obviously all those who have gathered here, as well malicious intentions. as all those who are listening from other Before the maamar, the Rebbe spoke locations, and those that will later find about the new shul that had been out what had been said at this farbrengen. dedicated in . He also Vice President Walter F. Mondale addresses the May they all be blessed with many long encouraged all shuls to remain open inauguration event of Education Day U.S.A., in and good years, and be able to increase during the evening hours, so that baalei the White House, 11 Nissan 5738 in their efforts of spreading Yiddishkeit, batim can learn Torah as a continuation of the efforts of the my there in their spare time. father-in-law, the Rebbe, going back all the way to the Alter Rebbe, the Maggid, As the farbrengen and the Baal Shem Tov.” came to a close, the Rebbe instructed the The farbrengen was markedly freilech, crowd to sing “Hoshia with the Rebbe clapping and encouraging es amecha,” “Prazos the singing throughout all of the teshev Yerushalayim,” niggunim between the sichos. He also “Ufaratzta,” “V’hi smilingly directed different people to she’amda,” and “Nyet, say l’chaim, including Dr. Larry Resnick nyet nikavo;” clapping (who had been at the Rebbe’s side for and encouraging the much of the time since Shemini Atzeres). singing throughout. Rabbi Efraim Yolles from Philadelphia and Rabbi Simcha Elberg of Agudas When the niggunim Harabonim were also present, both were completed, conversing with the Rebbe between the Rebbe stood sichos. up and announced (with a special tune) During the course of the farbrengen, the “L’shana Haba’ah Rebbe discussed a wide range of topics, B’yirushalayim,” to most notably concerning the president’s which the entire 770 monumental declaration proclaiming responded with a “Education Day USA.” The Rebbe called resounding “amen,” for the country to utilize its powerful continuing straight influence over other nations to promote in to “ki vesimcha,” the ideals of education mentioned in the accompanying the declaration. Rebbe out of the “Along with the thanks owed to remarkable farbrengen. the House of Representatives, the As the Rebbe left government, and the president, for 770 for home, he having declared publicly regarding the distributed dollars to uniqueness of education, through setting aside a day devoted entirely towards Resolution of congress, education; we also suggest that they do signed by President Jimmy Carter, announcing the not suffice with a one-day proclamation; first Education Day U.S.A.

Nissan 5775 | 11 Photo: Jem/ T he Living Archive / 109354 Photo: Rabbi Y. Y. Hecht hosts the broadcast of the Rebbe’s farbrengen on live radio, as Rabbi Chaim Boruch Halberstam sits at the controls in the WLCC office at 770 Wednesday, 12 Nissan for Pesach, and then he motioned to he had begun at the Yud-Alef Nissan As the Rebbe walked towards his room Rabbi Hodakov to enter his room. farbrengen. He also spoke of the after mincha, he passed by a number A few moments later, Rabbi Hodakov importance of learning Chassidus in of guests who were returning home for left the Rebbe’s room with an exciting our generation, even though in previous Pesach, wishing them a safe trip and a announcement. The Rebbe had informed times, such learning was reserved for the kosher and freilechen Pesach. him that at 8:30 he will hold a short select few who were on a higher level of avodas Hashem. In response to a report about mivtzoim farbrengen, a continuation of the Yud- in the Merkaz Hayahalomim, the Rebbe Alef Nissan farbrengen held yesterday. Throughout the farbrengen, the Rebbe wrote: The downstairs shul was locked and in encouraged the singing, clapping and moving his head to the beat of the complete disarray, as the Pesach cleaning נת' ות"ח ]נתקבל ותשואות חן[. ודבר בעתו – בי"א had already begun. The bochurim hastily niggunim. Before concluding, the Rebbe asked that everyone sing “Yemin ניסן בחדש הגאולה בגו"ר ]בגשמיות וברוחניות[ organized the benches and set up the ובסמיכות לחה"פ ]חג הפסח[ זמן חרותנו. room, and within a few minutes the place Hashem” and “Uforatzta,” and then The members also sent the Rebbe their was ready for the Rebbe to enter. ended by wishing everyone a kosher blessings in honor of Yud-Alef Nissan. In and freilechen Pesach, expressing hope response, the Rebbe wrote: The guests scheduled to travel back to that we merit to spend this Pesach in Eretz Yisrael were faced with a dilemma. Yerushalayim together with Moshiach. While they didn’t want to miss the ת"ח ]תשואות חן[ על הברכות וכל המברך מתברך farbrengen, their flight was scheduled As the Rebbe stood up to leave, he began בברכתו של הקב״ה שתוספתו מרובה על העיקר. to take off within the next few hours. In singing “Ki vesimcha,” and with a swing חה״פ כו״ש ]חג הפסח כשר ושמח[. אזכיר עה״צ the end, they drove to the airport, where of his arm, encouraged everyone present ]על הציון[. to join in. “Thank you for the blessings. Those who they listened in to the farbrengen via live bless others are blessed with the blessing hookup. As the Rebbe entered his room, he asked of Hashem, in which the supplement is At the start of the farbrengen, the Rebbe Rabbi Groner to bring in a list of the more than the main portion. instructed the crowd to sing the nigun locations that had participated in the live hookup. “May you have a kosher and happy hachona for a maamar, and then said a Pesach. I will mention them at the .” maamar (B’chol dor v’dor) which lasted A few minutes later the Rebbe left for for about a half-hour. home. While exiting 770, he met Dr. At the conclusion of maariv, the Rebbe Resnick and Dr. Lev and exchanged a once again bade farewell to a group of Afterwards, the Rebbe continued to few words with them, encouraging the Chassidim traveling back to Eretz Yisrael expound in length upon the hadran bochurim’s singing as well.

12 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER