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Date Posted: 18:16:20 07/02/03 Wed
Author: schwabra
Author Host/IP: dialup-171.75.108.130.Dial1.Cincinnati1.Level3.net / 171.75.108.130
Subject: The rebbe

The Rebbe
By: Elie Wiesel
What is it about this extraordinary teacher and master, that makes his
greatness so unique?

I know of no one who has left the Rebbe, even after a moment of Yechidus
(one-on-one meeting), without being deeply affected, if not changed, by their
encounter.
I hope I will always remember what I felt when I was first introduced into
his study, some thirty years ago, and what we said to one another. Time in his
presence begins running at a different pace. You feel inspired, you feel
self-examined, you are made to wonder about the quest for meaning which ought to
be yours. In his presence nothing is superficial, nor is it artificial. In
his presence you come closer in touch with your inner center of gravity. But
what is great about the Rebbe is that not only those who have met him are
affected, but even those who haven't. Somehow the presence of the man in our midst
sends out an emanation of mystical quality that touches people who have never
heard of him, and this, probably more than anything else, is what makes the
Rebbe so unique.

It is due to his influence, to his presence, that Jewish awareness and Jewish
education have reached unprecedented heights on almost every continent. Is
there a place under the sun where the Chabad emissaries have not carried his
word of tolerance rooted in Ahavas Yisroel, in the love for Israel, which
really, by extension, means love for humanity? Wherever Jews dwell and work,they
somehow become exposed to the Rebbe.

Thanks to him, a Jew, anywhere and everywhere, cannot but feel that he or she
belongs to an ancient people whose tradition emphasizes the greatness of its
task more than the prerogatives of its condition. Thanks to the Rebbe, a Jew
becomes a better Jew, thus a better human being, thus making his fellow human
beings more human, more hospitable, open to a greater sense of generosity. So
this is where the Rebbe's greatness also lies.

...So, to the Rebbe in Brooklyn, what could we say except, we are your
disciples, we are your followers...

When we are with the Rebbe we lift a small cup and we say: L'Chaim, and the
Rebbe answers: L'Chaim. Let us imagine, therefore, that we are tonight at 770
Eastern Parkway, and we see the Rebbe, who as you heard tonight, needs us.
Therefore we say with more vigor and with more fervor: L'Chaim Rebbe!

Excerpts from an address given by Nobel-laureate Elie Wiesel on April 7,
1992, at a congressional dinner held in Washington on the occasion of the Rebbe's
90th birthday.

"The righteous are greater after their death than in their lifetime."
(Talmud Chulin)
The constant stream of visitors to the Rebbe's Ohel, the Rebbe's resting
place in Queens, NY, from every sector of the Jewish people testifies to the truth
within these words. The Ohel has become a center where thousands of people
from all walks of life come and continue to receive inspiration, guidance, and
blessings through the moments they spend with the Rebbe. They pray and ask
the Rebbe to intercede on High on their behalf and to receive blessings and
direction.

It is well known throughout Judaism the great spiritual strength which a
deceased, primarily a Tzaddik (righteous person), has on the day and throughout
the week which marks his passing, to pray and help all those who seek his
blessings.
You may send a letter to the Rebbe's Ohel, resting place via fax or e-mail.
The custom is to include the person's Hebrew name, and mother's Hebrew name.
In the event one is not Jewish, the custom is to include the person's name and
their father's name.

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