Purim by the Rebbe (11) - 2 Episodes with Mashpi'im

00:01 The hemsech to the earlier installments be-negea to Yemei HaPurim by the Rebbe. We continue now, and we'll conclude the series of the Yemei HaPurim of this year with two stories that took place with two distinguished mashpiyim. The first story took place Purim Taf Shen Chaviv, 1966. Rav Achosid, Rabbi Elemelech Zvippel, who was a distinguished mashpia in the Yeshivas Temchei Tmimim, Lubavitch in Newark, New Jersey, and then in Morristown for about 50 years, related to his talmidim an experience that he had during the Fabregen Purim Taf Shen Chaviv. It was then, towards the conclusion of the Fabregen, the Rebbe announced, quoting the halacha in Shulchan Aruch relating to Purim, that one, anyone who extends their hand for charity, collecting charity, need to be given charity. And Melech the Rebbe announced that everyone who wants to receive mashke from him, it will be given to them. Of course, Hasidim understood this is an auspicious time, receiving mashke, receiving brachos. And there was a big confusion that took place then, a lot of pushing, and it was very difficult to push through the crowd and to get to the Rebbe and receive the mashke. Rab Melech, as he was known fondly with this reference, related that he also tried, exerted himself, pushed himself, but to no avail. He did not manage to receive mashke from the Rebbe at that point. After the Fabregen, when the Rebbe went out of 770, going home, the Rebbe went out from the main entrance. And while the Rebbe was on the steps

02:30 going to the street, someone handed the Rebbe a bottle of mashke, and the Rebbe continued to distribute the mashke. Whoever was not able to receive mashke earlier tried again to push and receive mashke. But also there, there was a big crowd, and there was a lot of pushing. But Rab Melech relates that I really held on strong, and I was already standing face to face right near the Rebbe. I extended my hand with a little cup in the hand to receive mashke. But since there was so much pushing, my hand couldn't remain in a steady position, and it was swaying back and forth. And I was afraid that I'm gonna lose the mashke that I will be receiving from the Rebbe. Then I realized that also the Rebbe's hand was swaying back and forth because of the pushing. And the Rebbe wanted that I should receive everything he is gonna pour in. Therefore, the Rebbe was waiting. Rab Melech concludes the story that I was by many Fabregens. I was in Yechidus, private audiences with the Rebbe. But till then, I did not feel such a closeness. When my hand was swaying and the Rebbe's hand was swaying, I felt as the Rebbe is mit mir zusammen. The Rebbe is with me together. The second story is when I came to the mashpia, Rab Nissen Nemanov, who was a distinguished mashpia in Brunnoy, in Temchetmimim in France. And already during the wartime, he was already considered a distinguished mashpia and Hasid. And he once participated

04:42 in a Fabregen by the Rebbe on Purim. And at times between the sichas, some Hasidim during the nigunim would stand up and just sing and dance in their place. Melech was singing a very joyous nigun, and Rab Nissen began to dance. The Rebbe was not able to see his face. He only saw a hat moving up and down, but did not see who was the one dancing. And it was obvious from those who observed it that it was for quite a while the Rebbe is lowering his head to see who is dancing right there near the Rebbe's table on the floor, which was a level lower than the Rebbe's platform. Till finally, the Rebbe bent his head down more, and he saw it was Rab Nissen Nemanov. And a broad smile appeared on the Rebbe's face.