Yeshiva celebrates birthday of Rabbi Shem Tov
Chai Elul Hakhel Farbrengen in the Yeshiva Centre – Chabad Headquarters of NSW
The Farbrengen was in honor of the auspicious day of Chai Elul which is the Birthday of Rabbi Yisroel Baal Shem Tov, the founder of the Chassidic movement 113 years ago and Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi founder of the Chabad Lubavitch movement and author of the Tanya and the Shulchan Aruch Harav.
This year was an especially milestone being that Chai Elul is also the 400th Yortzait of the great Rabbi Yehudah Lowy the MAHARA”L of Prague, who besides being a forbear of Rabbi Schneur Zalman (Rabbi Schneur Zalman is 7th generation to the MAHARA”L) his Tanya is also heavily based on the writings of the MAHARA”L of Prague.
Over a three course meal and L’Chaims, Rabbi Pinchus Hacohen sheyichye Feldman, Spiritual dean of the Yeshiva Centre and Head Shliach of the Rebbe to NSW, Australia, told amazing stories about the Baal shem Tov and the “Alter Rebbe” as Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi is affectionately called, amongst the stories he told of how the Chabad Center was made in Vilna, the center of the non Chassidic world at the time and how it’s founder, the great renowned genius scholar and philantropist, Rabbi Meir Refoel’s became a Chossid of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi.
Thank you was made to Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Hacohen sheyichye Feldman, Menahel and Mashpia of the Yeshiva Gedola Sydney for organizing the extremly inspiring Farbrengen and the financing of the meal “Seudas Mitzvah”.
Rabbi Yosef Feldman blessed the community and mentioned that the Farbrengen is also a bit a “Seudas Hodoah” thanksgiving meal, to thank Hashem for the continued miracles he has done to keep the Yeshiva Centre running, “Le-maala min Hateva” in a manner which is above nature, including the latest miracle, the purchasing of a new building in a central location in Bondi by our Cheder Chabad Lubavitch for the girls school and the preschool.
Rabbi Daniel Kaye mentioned the importance of using out the last days of this Hakhel year to make Hakhel gatherings in ones home, preparing for the new year 5770, a very special year for all of Lubavitch and friends of Chabad, the importance in still participating in the Rebbe’s new year fund called “Keren Hashonoh” and the necessity and great merit to still send letters “Pidyon Nefesh” to the Rebbe through his secritariot asking for blessings for the new year and how the Rebbe is still doing his mission of leading and blessing the Jewish people, as the Talmud states regarding Moses “Ma kahn omed Umeshamesh af kahn omed Umeshamesh” a Sheppard does not abandon his flock and the Rebbe will find a way to bless and answer all those who still write and request his blessings.
All the above was interspersed with heartfelt chassidic song and dance!
Following the grace after meals and the conclusion of the formal part of the farbrengen, the community than formed little groups of farbrengens which continued till the small hours of the morning!
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