לעבן מיט'ן רבי'ן. 75 Years YUD-ALEPH NISSAN 5737 NISSAN 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER

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1 לעבן מיט'ן רבי'ן Years YUD-ALEPH NISSAN 5737 "נודע ביהודה אלקים, בישראל גדול שמו" 6

2 מוקדש לחיזוק ההתקשרות לכ ק אדמו ר בקשר עם יום הבהיר י א ניסן נדפס ע י הרה ת ר מנחם מענדל וזוגתו מרת חנה שיינא ומשפחתם חי מושקא, לוי יצחק, רבקה מאריאשא, ברכה, ויקותיאל זוסמאן שיחיו גנזבורג שלוחי כ ק אדמו ר לטאראנטא, קנדה 40 years ago, Chassidim celebrated the Rebbe s 75th birthday, singing these words from that year s kapitel. Hashem is known within the camp of Yehuda, reads the possuk. For they served Hashem and let His great deeds be known. As the Chassidim sang these words, shluchim, rabbonim, elected officials and distinguished guests approached the Rebbe, presenting proclamations and gifts in recognition of the Rebbe s vast achievements; strengthening education and spreading Elokus throughout the world. The following are selections of yomanim and stories of this memorable Yud-Aleph Nissan. CHANGE IN CLIMATE YOSSI MELAMED via JEM Throughout the day of Yud-Aleph Nissan, 40 mitzvah tanks spread out across New York City. Each tank had 20 tankistin. With special subsidies in honor of the occasion, the tankistin sold many mezuzos and tefillin on the streets. The Hebrew speaking division of Tzach sent out messages to all of their contacts, informing them of the Rebbe s yom huledes and encouraging them to make resolutions in one of the ten mivtzoim. Anyone who decided to make a commitment was asked to send in their resolution to the Rebbe. And the letters arrived in the hundreds. Reb Zalmon Jaffe relates: There was a remarkable and dramatic change in the weather on the eleventh day of Nissan. For many weeks New York had been in the grip of freezing wintry conditions. Now, overnight - Zalmon Jaffe had brought his Shavuos weather with him! Lovely, hot, brilliant sunshine [Reb Zalmon s usual custom was to travel with his family to the Rebbe every year for Shavuos, but this year he came for Yud-Aleph Nissan as well]. 7

3 VAAD HANOCHOS B LAHAK A LETTER SIGNED BY ADMORIM OF VARIOUS CIRCLES SENT TO THE REBBE IN HONOR OF YUD-ALEPH NISSAN I had 25 letters for the Rebbe, which I took to the Office. I added these to the three piles of correspondence already lying on the table. I noticed also about 150 cablegrams from all over the world. I predicted that it would take the Rebbe about four or five hours to wade through all this correspondence. The Rebbe had also to prepare many Sichos and the Maamar for that evening s farbrengen. When does the Rebbe prepare, is really a mystery!!! I accepted the inevitable, that I would not receive a reply to my letter whilst I was in Brooklyn. To my utter amazement but most welcome surprise, Binyomin Klein handed me a note from the Rebbe - within two hours. The Rebbe entered the Beth Hamedrash [for mincha], promptly at 3:15pm looking K.H. remarkably fit and well. He is T[hank] G[od] growing younger every day - that is another miracle. The Rebbe glanced around and briefly looked at - and through - everyone. In that split second he knew exactly who were present - a rather unique talent. The Rebbe very seldom acknowledges any one particular individual. He wishes to avoid favouritism. However, I also have a unique talent - or maybe it is just my expression, but I make the Rebbe smile. The Rebbe turned to me and did just that. It was a rather unusual smile which indicated a mixture of pleasure and amusement. This already made my visit worthwhile. THE U.S. SENATE GIVES HONOR Reb Zalmon Jaffe writes: A couple of days previously, a special birthday party was held in honour of the Rebbe at the United States Senate in Washington. Amongst those who were present were fifty-two Senators and a hundred Congressmen together with other notable dignitaries. Former Vice President Humphrey was the Chairman. Hanging on the wall was a large poster which read: Celebration 75. Underneath this was a plaque with the seal of the USA. Below this was a large photograph of the Rebbe. Many words of praise and blessings were bestowed upon him. The guest of honour, the Rebbe, however was not present personally to hear them. Of course, birthday parties for a King are often celebrated by loyal and devoted subjects even in the absence of His Majesty. It is amazing to see the reverence and the honour given to the Rebbe, even by gentiles. Everyone respects and appreciates greatness. 8

4 After mincha, a few of the senior Chassidim entered gan eden hatachton to give the Rebbe a bracha. The Rebbe responded with a bracha of his own: Hashem should grant you and all those in whose names you speak in the manner of a reciprocating blessing, where those who bless will [in turn] be blessed with Hashem s blessing, in which the bonus exceeds the principle. Let us hear good news with clear and revealed good evident in our physical world, leading to the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu very soon. The Rebbe glanced around and briefly looked at - and through - everyone. In that split second he knew exactly who were present THE BIG FARBRENGEN Reb Zalmon Jaffe continues: [As the Yud-Aleph Nissan farbrengen scheduled for 9:00 p.m. was about to begin] the hall at 770 was packed tightly with people from one extreme end to the other - from corner to corner. Tier upon tier of boys reached to the ceiling. It was a very impressive and imposing sight. About six thousand people were present inside the hall. The whole world of Lubavitch was listening to the Farbrengen by telephonic communication, to forty-five cities around the globe. The local radio station also relayed it. This enabled the Rebbetzin and many thousands of other women - and men and boys, as well, to hear the Farbrengen in the comfort of their homes. [Before the Rebbe entered] Rabbi Groner was announcing the order of precedence regarding the offering of birthday gifts. 1 The representatives of the American states would have priority. They should mount the platform on the right, present their gifts, and continue on their way and leave the dais on the left. Very sensible, as the platform ran down almost the whole length of the large Shul (hall). At 9:00 p.m., the Rebbe entered the farbrengen. He smiled at the people who had come. The platform was filled with representatives of the city, state, and federal governments. On his way through THE REBBE ENTERS THE FARBRENGEN the shvil, the Rebbe stopped to greet the mayor of New York City, Mr. Abraham Beame. When the Rebbe reached his place and sat down, he turned to all sides, smiling and acknowledging the rabbonim, shluchim, baalei batim and anash present. The shul was packed from wall to wall, with benches laid out all the way to the aron kodesh. The Rebbe began the farbrengen by officially acknowledging all the guests. When Yidden come with the desire to honor and thank an individual, as one who represents many others, then the first thing, before going on to discuss other matters, is the clear hakaras hatov, from the depth of [my] heart, to those who are present, as well as to those who sent their wishes and blessings in writing or through messengers. After the first sicha, Rabbi Hirschsprung (av beis din of Montreal), Rabbi Teitz (a senior rabbi from New Jersey) and Rabbi Yolles (chief rabbi of Philadelphia) approached the Rebbe. While the crowd joyfully sang the new Yud- Aleph Nissan niggun to the words of Noda B yehudah from kapitel 76, the Rebbe called over Rabbi Groner and spoke to him briefly; Rabbi Groner then went over to give the mayor a l chaim. The Rebbe encouraged the singing, nodding along enthusiastically. PRESENTS In the second sicha, the Rebbe alluded to the dignitaries attending the farbrengen. The Rebbe thanked the United States and the President for all they have done to help in the salvation of the Yidden who fled from Russia and emigrated here. 9

5 The [Frierdiker] Rebbe, nessi doreinu, was one of those saved by the United States. Through saving him, they saved most of the people here now [at the farbrengen], and most of the activities being carried out now. The Rebbe lauded the U.S. for its devotion to the rights of individuals, unlike in dictatorships, where the individual is ignored and is considered a mere part of a large apparatus. Following the second and third sichos, dozens of dignitaries, rabbonim, and shluchim and their baalei batim went over to the Rebbe, presenting gifts and wishing him well. The Rebbe instructed them to say l chaim and blessed them in response. Mayor Abraham Beame approached the Rebbe, presenting him with a gift: Thank you very much, the Rebbe responded. And thank you and the entire great city of New York for being the headquarters of our movement. We re very proud, answered the Mayor. The Rebbe then blessed the Mayor: May G-d Almighty bless you. I heard that your birthday was a few days ago. But you are much younger then I am. Go from strength to strength. Representing the Governor of the state of New York, Mr. Hugh Carey, was Mr. Menachem Shayowitz from Albany. He presented the Rebbe with a letter: The Governor sent a special letter, recognizing the Rebbe s accomplishments in America. He wishes the Rebbe long life and good health. Amen, thank you very much. the Rebbe responded. Acknowledging Mr. Shayowitz as the representative, the Rebbe added: In Gemara it says that a shliach receives a large thank you. New York City Comptroller, Mr. Harrison Goldin, who was active in the struggle for the Yidden in the Soviet Union, approached and handed the Rebbe an envelope. He engaged in Thank you very much the Rebbe responded. And thank you and the entire great city of New York for being the headquarters of our movement. conversation with the Rebbe, recalling a yechidus he had with the Rebbe and referencing the Rebbe s strong stance in the activities on behalf of the Yidden in Russia, namely through the means of quiet diplomacy, as opposed to provoking the Russian government: I just wanted to say to the Rebbe, I don t know whether you remember a very private matter about which we talked at the end of my visit sometime past. I don t know whether you had the opportunity to follow the ensuing events, but I want the Rebbe to know that what he said to me that night had a big impact on me. Yes, the Rebbe replied. I am happy because I m not hearing anything. No news is good news. No publicity and no news. That is the best news that can be done in this area. I ve been working very hard to see that there is no news. said Mr. Goldin. The Rebbe then wished him: May G-d Almighty bless you. We are approaching Pesach now. May there be a deliverance from all worries. Cheiruseinu means liberation from all worries. 10

6 Yes, the Rebbe replied. I am happy because I m not hearing anything. No news is good news. No publicity and no news. That is the best news that can be done in this area. Don t worry about not publicizing, not making news. Next came Brooklyn Borough President Mr. Howard Golden; Bronx Borough President Mr. Robert Abrams; a representative of Mr. Milton Shapp, the Governor of Pennsylvania; and Israel s Consul General to New York Mr. Tzvi Levin. Each of them presented the Rebbe with a proclamation honoring the Rebbe s seventy five years. Israeli Ministry of Defense official Mr. Yosef Ciechanover brought blessings from Defense Minister Shimon Peres and from the Israeli Ambassador to Washington, Mr. Simcha Dinitz. In his conversation with the Rebbe, he mentioned that a few weeks earlier, Mr. Peres asked him if he would be at the Rebbe s birthday farbrengen, to which he responded in the affirmative. Reb Shlomo Maidanchik gave the Rebbe letters of well wishes from Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Yitzchak Rabin and from the President Ephraim Katzir, as well as from all the ministers and members of Knesset. Reb Shlomo also gave the Rebbe gold keys and medallions from the cities of Tel Aviv, Rishon L tziyon, Ramat Gan and Bnei Brak. Reb Yehoshua Pinson presented the Rebbe with a medallion from Yerushalayim, on behalf of the mayor of Yerushalayim, Mr. Teddy Kollek. "ניט פארבונדן מיט אן איש פרטי" ס איז דאך פארשטאנדיק אז דאס איז ניט קיין ענין וואס איז פארבונדן מיט אן איש פרטי און מיט א יחיד, נאר דאס איז פארבונדן דערמיט וואס ער האט זוכה געווען און קען מסייע זיין די וואס גייען בדרך התורה והמצוה, אז זיי זאלן מוסיף זיין אין דעם נאכמער, און זיי מעודד זיין אז ווי גוט ס זאלן נאר זיין זייערע ענינים ופעולות במחשבה, עאכו כ בדיבור, און נאכמער במעשה - זאלן זיי מוסיף זיין אין דערויף, און מעודד זיין זיי כפי יכלתו. און אויך איבערגעבן דאס וואס מ האט זוכה געווען געפינען אין ספרים, ובלשון פון דעם אלטן רבי ן אין דעם שער פון תניא - "מפי ספרים ומפי סופרים", דאס וואס מ האט געהערט פון כ ק מו ח אדמו ר, ועד"ז בדוגמתו - פון דעס טאטן און חסידים הראשונים וכו. וואס דערפון איז פארשטאנדיק אז דער עיקר בזה איז, אז דורך אים וויל מען אויסדריקן א ברכה און א וואונטש פון הצלחה צו די אלע פעולות, און צו די אלע וואס זיינען זיך עוסק אין די פעולות. וואס די נקודה הפנימית פון די אלע פעולות און דער צד השוה שבהם איז דאך דער ענין פון הפצת היהדות האמיתית בכל מקום שידו מגעת, און אן קיין הבדל - פון ראשיכם שבטיכם ביז חוטב עציך ושואב מימיך. )משיחת י"א ניסן תשל"ז( Letters of blessing from heads of state and city officials were brought by many shluchim and their baalei batim. Rabbi Nachman Sudak gave the Rebbe two volumes of the Tanya translated to English published by Soncino Press. These were printed just a few days earlier in England. Accompanying him were Mr. Bernard Perrin and Reb Zalmon Jaffe. Rabbi Sudak presented the Tanyas while Mr. Perrin showed the inscription. Rabbi Sholom Ber Hecht and members of the Queens Sephardic community gave the Rebbe sefarim and ancient handwritten notes from European geonim, which they had purchased as a present to the Rebbe. Among these, was a 500-year-old large handwritten siddur, used by the chazzanim in a shul in Tehran over the generations. When Rabbi Hecht told the Rebbe that there were handwritten notes in the box, the Rebbe inquired whether any of the notes were kisvei Chassidus. In the period preceding Yud-Aleph Nissan, the Tzach Levi Yitzchok library had collected together the transcripts from all the Rebbe s maamarim and sichos to date and bound them together in many 11

7 YOSSI MELAMED via JEM volumes. These volumes would serve as a basis for the large set of Sichos Kodesh, published a number of years later. Rabbi Avraham Parshan, a supporter of the library, presented the Rebbe with three volumes from this collection, along with the sefer Biurei Rashi. Rabbi Leibel Raskin, shliach in Morocco, gave the Rebbe a Tehillim Ohel Yosef Yitzchak printed in Morocco. At the Rebbe s request, he came back a few minutes later with a Tanya that was translated into Arabic and printed there too. As the Rebbe had specifically encouraged in previous years, many yeshivos prepared kovtzim of pilpulim and chiddushei Torah as gifts to the Rebbe. Bochurim from these yeshivos passed by the Rebbe, presenting the kovtzim and saying l chaim. The yeshivos included: Melbourne, Brunoy, Cincinnati, Oholei Torah, Miami, Morristown and Seattle. Rabbi Mentlik, the rosh yeshiva of 770, gave the Rebbe the kovetz from the bochurim in 770 and Chovevei Torah. The newly printed Tzach journal Uforatzta was presented by Rabbi Meir Rivkin and Reb Shmuel Melamed. Many other rabbonim and baalei batim present at the farbrengen also approached the Rebbe, extending their good wishes and saying l chaim. This went on for almost a full hour-and-a-half after the second and third sichos, while the crowd sang joyously. In between visitors, the Rebbe nodded his head and clapped his hands to encourage the singing. Reb Zalmon relates: [The pile of presentations and letters had grown so large] that there was a three-foot high pile of gifts on the table, in front of the Rebbe - who was barely visible. [Rabbi] Label [Groner] obtained some paper sacks and packed up all the gifts. It needed four sacks to clear the pile, and Label and [Rabbi] Yudel [Krinsky] carted them away [up to the Rebbe s room]. 12

8 THEY ALREADY SEE THE ORIGINAL Two Russian artists, Vladimir and Grigory Dashevsky, brought a portrait they had painted of the Rebbe with a sefer Torah in a large frame: Dear Rebbe, in the name of the Russian Jewry who came here and are happy to be here with you, I am an artist and I have the honor to present this to you... We want to give you this as our heartfelt gift. We believe you will have many healthy years for all the Jews. The artists raised the picture in the air to show it to the entire crowd. Motioning that they should put the picture down, the Rebbe told the artists with a large smile They already see the original! Thank you and be well. The main thing is, strive that it be obvious about you that you follow in the footsteps of this picture: Torah. We will, answered Vladimir. We are well-bred but there s a lot we don t understand. When you were born, you could not paint such a picture either...so you have already trained for something once before the Rebbe replied. Mr. Yitzchak Berez, a photographer, uncovered a large print of a photo he had taken of the Rebbe. Following the Russian artists cue, he too picked up the photo and showed it to everyone. The Rebbe smiled and told him to say l chaim. The many dignitaries and visitors had finished their presentations, but the farbrengen would still continue for a number of hours. The Rebbe spoke a long sicha in nigleh, connected to the story in Maseches Pesachim when Erev Pesach fell out on Motioning that they should put the picture down, the Rebbe told the artists with a large smile They already see the original! Shabbos (the same kvius of this year, 5737), and Ben Beseira forgot the halacha of whether the korban Pesach is offered on Shabbos. The next sicha was about the mivtzoim, especially mivtza tzedakah, ensuring that every Yid has everything they need in order to be able to celebrate Pesach. SINCERE AND HEARTFELT EMOTIONS Yona Kesse was a refugee who frequented the Rebbe s home in Yekaterinislav as a child. Rebbetzin Chana fed and took care of him, and he would spend time at their home for a period of five years. He later immigrated to Eretz Yisroel, and became a member of the Knesset, a position which he held for sixteen years. 2 Responding to a letter he sent the Rebbe, blessing him in honor of his seventy fifth birthday, the Rebbe replied: After a long silence, I was pleased to receive your letter. First of all, I want to express my sincere thanks for your blessings on the occasion of my birthday. If a thank you is in order for every blessing, how much more so for yours, which was permeated with sincere and heartfelt emotions, along with memories of childhood and the atmosphere of that time. These evoke in the reader especially since the memories are literally of my own home memories, emotions, and experiences. I certainly needn t explain this to you, as it is evident from your letter that these memories stand living before your eyes, as well. (Igros Kodesh vol 32, p. 204) REMEMBERING THE HOLOCAUST JEM THE RUSSIAN ARTISTS VLADIMIR AND GRIGORY DASHEVSKY PRESENT THEIR PAINTING OF THE REBBE. The Rebbe then went on to state his opinion on a haggadah that was making its rounds, with an added prayer, to remember and discuss the martyrdom of those who perished in the Holocaust. 13

9 The Rebbe objected to this idea for a number of reasons: 1. The text of the haggadah has been set over generations. Once it has been set and instituted, changing it contravenes the laws of Torah. 2. Pesach (and really the whole month of Nissan) is a time of joy, and therefore subjects leading to the opposite of happiness do not belong there. 3. Furthermore, the Rebbe explained, one is surely not doing justice to the Yidden who perished in the Holocaust with a short added prayer in between Chad Gadya and other songs at the seder. For similar reasons, the Rebbe objected to other suggestions, that an empty chair or extra matzah should be added at the seder table, remembering the three million Yidden behind the Iron Curtain. At 1:00 a.m. the Rebbe recited a 30 minute maamar. The Rebbe then said two more sichos, also mentioning the recent initiative of mashpi im, especially for children, emphasizing that children themselves can also become mashpi im. As the farbrengen drew to an end, the Rebbe asked that the niggunim of Prazos Teshev, Nye Zhuritzi, Ki Besimcha and Al Achas be sung. Reb Zalmon Jaffe finishes off his description of the Farbrengen: We ended the Farbrengen with a crescendo of singing. The Rebbe standing up once or twice and egging us all on - faster and faster - very exciting. The Rebbe reminded us to make the Brocha Acharona - after the wine, and at 2:00 a.m. the Rebbe stood up and took his leave. A very happy and cheerful five hours birthday party. Immediately after the Rebbe had left the hall, I made a dash for the exits. I wanted to be at the Rebbe s door when he left his study, so I could say farewell. Jumping over tables, benches and people, I fought my way upstairs. I was just in time. The study door was opened and the Rebbe stepped outside. We all commenced clapping our hands and sang Ki Besimcho. The Rebbe joined in - saw me - and stopped. The singing also stopped - so that everyone would be able to overhear any private conversation. 1. This was the last year that people would be allowed to bring their presentations and letters to the Rebbe during the farbrengen. From 5738 on, the many gifts would be sent in through mazkirus and only a handful of people would be given the opportunity to approach the Rebbe at the farbrengens. 2. See Early Years, JEM, vol. 1, p. 113 FOLLOWING THE FARBRENGEN, THE REBBE LEAVES 770 FOR HOME. YOSSI MELAMED via JEM