We didn't think of eating

00:01 In a letter the Rebbe Rashab wrote in honor of the celebration of 19 Kislev 5662, he opens with the words: “A chag.” That is how he begins the letter: “A chag.” The word “chag” means Yom Tov. A Yom Tov, in the plain sense—he goes into detail afterward, but first he says, “A chag”—“the light and vitality of our soul were given to us.” Light is something you cannot explain in words. Vitality is always internal, but light surrounds; light is everywhere. I can tell you something else I experienced when I was a bochur, a small thing... Maybe it means something to me and not necessarily to you, but I can tell you about my experience. It was on 19 Kislev, in 5723 or 5724, one of those years. The Rebbe would daven Maariv at the regular time, quarter to seven. In fact, the Rebbe would daven Maariv every night at quarter to seven. After Maariv, at around seven, about five minutes after seven, the Rebbe would go into his room for five minutes and then go home. He would stay there for about an hour, until around eight; more or less at eight, the Rebbe would return. That was the usual routine. And that year, on 19 Kislev, that is what happened. After Maariv

01:36 the Rebbe sang “Ani Evtach Bach” (“I Will Trust in You”) and encouraged the singing vigorously with motions of his hand. And everyone danced to the niggun—all the bochurim and all the other people. When the Rebbe went home, he came out of his room and went home, [unclear]. We kept it going and continued singing “Ani Evtach Bach.” There was a group of 30 or 40 bochurim, a large group. Instead of going to eat supper, there was such tremendous energy from the niggun and from the way the Rebbe had encouraged us so vigorously. We stood there dancing for about an hour, until the Rebbe returned at eight. I remember that it did not occur to anyone to leave. It felt so good to dance. We had not eaten all day, but it did not occur to anyone to leave. [unclear] on a higher level. The Rebbe returned at eight, and the Rebbe [unclear], and we continued like that. That is a personal experience of mine; I remember how it was then. Nu, l’chaim, l’chaim.