5 years ago

Gala Banquet for the Rebbe’s 90th Anniversary

Thursday night, Yud Daled Kislev, in honor of the 90^th anniversary of the wedding of the Rebbe MH”M and the Rebbetzin, a gala banquet took place in Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch Queens. The Bochurim, Hanhalah and family members were treated to a gourmet three-course meal while listening to the history of the momentous occasion and inspiring words by the speakers • Full Story, Photos

The evening commenced with the Kapitel of the Rebbe MH”M being recited, followed by the reading of a letter from the Rebbe MH”M to the organizers received via Igros Kodesh as a Bracha for the event. As first course was served, the Bochurim were presented with a fascinating timeline of the happenings surrounding the wedding, given over by renowned educator and lecturer Rabbi Zalman Hertzel, who has written extensively on the topic of the weddings of our Rebbeim.

Rabbi Hertzel also related many interesting tidbits about various details preceding and following the occasion, including many of the gifts the Rebbe MH”M received from various Gedolei Yisrael, the history of the initial meeting between the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin, a captivating eyewitness description of the emotional affair held at the home of the Rebbe MH”M’s parents due to their not being able to attend the wedding themselves, and much more.

As Rabbi Hertzel concluded his presentation to the applause of the crowd, the live music started playing and the Bochurim broke out in exuberant dancing to celebrate together with our Rebbe, as per an answer from the Rebbe about the Chassidim’s Farbrengen on Yud Daled Kislev 5739.

Following the dancing, the Bochurim settled down for the second course while listening to Rabbi Mendel Scharf, Menahel of the Yeshiva, who encouraged them to take to heart the famous words of the Rebbe MH”M regarding Yud Daled Kislev, “דער טאג וואס האט פארבונדן מיר מיט אייך און אייך מיט מיר, און צוזאמן וועלן מיר אויסמאטערן די גאולה האמיתית והשלימה,” “[It is] the day that connected me to you and you to me, and together we will tire [ourselves out to bring] the Geulah.”

Rabbi Scharf explained that the inspiration of this special day should not remain at the fact that we are indeed connected to the Rebbe MH”M, rather it should be expressed in that that we truly tire ourselves out by taking that one extra Hachlata that will make the Geulah happen now.

Rabbi Scharf’s words were followed by main course and another motivating speech given over by Rabbi Eli Landa, a Mashpia in the Yeshiva, who shared with the Bochurim a story demonstrating the individual attention the Rebbe MH”M pays to every Chossid. He went on to elaborate on the personal connection the Rebbe MH”M shares with every Chossid which began on this day.

After Rabbi Landa descended from the podium and returned to his seat, he was presented with the 2-volume set of “Nisuei HaNesiim” (written by Rabbi Hertzel) by the Bochurim of Shiur Gimmel & Daled in honor of his birthday that night.

The Bochurim then had the Zechus of listening to a recording of the Rebbe MH”M giving over a Maamar on Yud Daled Kislev 5739, the 50^th anniversary to the wedding, followed by a duet of two talented Bochurim on the keyboard and the violin playing for another short period of dancing.

As dessert was served, a special Teshurah was given out, a Kovetz prepared in honor of the event which contains Sichos, Yomanim and more about Yud Daled Kislev, completed by Bentching.

After Bentching, the Bochurim sat down to a farbrengen with Shliach Rabbi Zalman Liberow of Flatbush and the Yeshiva’s very own Rabbi Yisroel Noach Lipskier, with many Hachlatos taken as a result in connection to the number 90. The Farbrengen lasted until 4:30 in the morning.

May we be Zoche to celebrate the rest of Sheva Brachos with the Rebbe MH”M in the Beis Hamikdash!