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Ep. 30: A Video of the Rebbe Changed His Life with Rabbi Asi Spiegel
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In this episode, Rabbi Asi Spiegel of Tzfas, Eretz Yisroel, shares his journey from growing up in a modern Orthodox environment to developing a deep love for the Rebbe, ultimately leading him to learn in 770. With heartfelt emotion, he describes powerful and formative experiences from the years he spent by the Rebbe - moments that continue to shape his life today. He also discusses the avodah and path forward for chassidim now, post Gimmel Tammuz.
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Auto-generated transcript. Not time-synced to the video.
I feel like the Reb with this answer the
Reb kind of made me a spit
because that was it you know
that's it the Reb is the is the way and
really as a kid when I got this letter I
was so thrilled you know and and then I
went to the whole thing but always felt
you know
I hope I uh you know I embodied this
value but at least for sure I got it
like from the reb as an And you know all
my life I'm trying to live with it. You
know
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I'm Yasi Cayman. Welcome to among
an ongoing faban about life as aid our
vibrant connection with the an inspired
living shaped by the way he teaches us
each and every day.
This episode is dedicated
forel.
how are you?
>> Shim.
>> Okay. Thank you very much for taking the
time to talk and uh hope it'll be uh a
benefit for myself and for uh all the
listeners and those that are watching.
>> Thank you. Thank you for having me.
>> Okay. So um I think the way I would like
to begin is that I we actually had it
once printed in I believe uh we did an
interview with you regarding a certain
um event but I think the way it began is
you discussed a little bit if I remember
correctly that you discussed a little
bit a little bit of the background of
where you came from. I know you wrote to
the Reba at one point and um I
understand that you weren't born into
into Labavich. It's something that you
acquired and there's some background and
involvement of the Reb with that. So
maybe you can share some about that.
>> Okay. So um
I grew up in Israel to a modern and
orthodox family
what's called over here kipasuga
and my father
is a big Torah scholar so he gave me
solid
education
and as a kid I was interested in uh you
know raonim and learning and things like
that. So, [snorts]
but really we didn't have any connection
that I know of
uh with the Reb or with Labavich.
Later in life, I I discovered my
grandfather had some connections, but
when I grew up, I knew nothing of it.
And my connection started when I was
about 12 years old.
And I heard about the Rebe a little bit
more, but I ended up I don't I don't
know if that was the first thing, but
one of the first things that happened
was I saw a movie about Tish 770 when I
was about 12 12 and a half years old. So
when I saw that
made a big impact on me and I started
connecting with Kabad House in my local
town in Israel
and I ended up getting a letter from the
Reb for the Bitzvah. I wrote the the
rabbi letter. He wrote me back and I
went to Kabad Shivas at 15 years old and
that's also when I went the first time
for Tish when I was 15 years old that
was
the then I came again for Tish and then
mid midv between Pum and Pes [snorts]
I actually came to learn uh by the Reb.
I came to for Pesak I stayed in
Morristown was there for about a year
and then a year and a half and then in
770. So basically I was in 770 from Midv
and Zun
and in later years I was also on but I
was there in and out for different.
So that's that's just my general
background of where I come from and
approximate years of where I had the
amazing miracle in my life that I was
spend a few years by the Reb.
>> Amazing. So I have a few questions about
this. Number one, this movie that was
shown this was like uh where did you see
this? What was the context of it? I'm
just curious.
So the movie that I saw,
Levitaken
is was one of the big photographers of
the Reb. He used to um when he came back
from Tish in those years, those the
MEMS. Okay. So when he would come back
to Israel, he would walk around the
different towns and show a movie of
Tish. It was reals, you know, it was
like a old style movie, but uh it was it
was amazing to see. and he showed it in
some in some hall in Patika in where I
lived and somehow I I got the notice
about it and I went to see it because I
was already curious more about the
rabbit by by that point and it blew my
mind. That movie basically uh you know
changed my life cuz I saw it and I was
just I couldn't believe you know just
just try to imagine I'm 12 and a half
years old kids from the shs that I've
seen in Tel Aivva or Shalim whoever I
was you know I've never seen anything
even remotely
close to what is going on in 770. So as
a as a kid when I saw it I got so
excited you know the dancing and the reb
is like you know making everybody jump
up and down and yeah that that kind of
got me in the the reaction of my parents
when I told them about it
was also the the next thing which they
didn't really like it so much which made
me even more interested you know so so
that was like my kind of my my beginning
or one of the angles of it. Yeah.
>> Okay. I've always heard about the leak
and bringing the videos back to to show
people, but uh I don't know. I I don't
I'm familiar with your story and that
there's you know that was the the
catalyst to to what brought you to the
Revs. That's pretty amazing. Um there
was also I think I remember that there
was interaction and answers you had from
the before you came.
>> Is that am I correct? Maybe that was
afterwards.
>> No, it's around the same time. Um this
is all you know prior to my b mitzvah.
Um
what what happened was I I I used I
started going to kabad house in my town.
There there's another piece of it which
uh honestly I don't even remember what
came first this movie or or whatever I'm
going to tell you right now but I as a
kid
now this definitely came first. This
part I'm going to tell you is that I as
a kid maybe when I was 11 or so or maybe
before I I went with my parents to um
what's called in Israel Shàu
the week of the book which in Israel
nowadays it's all over Israel back then
it was mostly Tel Aviv and Jerusalem
there's like um big big um book display
of all the publishers of Israel in town
square in middle of Tel Aviv.
for a week and you would walk around and
just see the different new books and
publications. So my parents took me
there as a kid and kos you know many of
they they were always there. Apparently
the Rebi asked to be there. So one of
those years when we went there was a
family we stopped by booth and they gave
me talks and tales in Hebrew.
And so after I read it at home, when we
came back home, I asked my dad to give
me to get me a subscription for it cuz I
I liked it. And and a couple years
later,
my dad told me that the
there's a new volume of talks and tales
that came out and if I want to buy it,
Kabad is is the publisher and there's he
told me there's a new Kabad House in
town. So maybe I want to go to Kabad
House and uh buy this new volume of
talks and tales. When I went to Kabad
House, this was uh around the time that
the Reb started
for children
in general, you know, and then
so I was still before and I walked into
I I walked in for this book for this
safer.
But there I come and the there's his
name was Binyam Rabinovich, the the guy
who managed the place and he told me,
"Did you hear the started this whole new
thing with the
he got me he plugged me into it and I
got involved and I got kids in my school
to to purchase letters." So uh so that
was the other piece that that I said. I
don't remember which one came before the
movie or Mr. maybe came out the same
time. And so,
uh, this is, uh, before my bar mitzvah,
couple months before my my bar mitzvah,
and I'm getting really into kabad, and
my parents don't really like it so much.
And then one day, my father had a
conversation with me about buying um, a
jacket or a suit for the braitzvah.
And I asked him
um can we buy a black suit which I
wanted because you know I was becoming
like more roomidic what whatever you
want to call it. Um and my father is a
like I said before he's aim he's a
Talmud professor he's a is a
very learned person. So when I told him
I want black suit, he asked me to get
him a safer from the library, a safer
called kafim and he and he opened the
safer and he shows me and and it shows
me that it says that you're not allowed
to wear black on chabas. This is a safer
from like two 300 years ago was a big
rabbi in in Ismir in Turkey.
So I I saw it and what can I tell my
father? He's showing me I can't wear
black on chaveis. So I told him, "What
about the Reb? I mean, if you can't do a
black and chabas, how come the Reb wears
black?" So my father brushing me off
sort of told me, "Oh, that that's a
question for the Reb, not for me, you
know." So I was thinking to myself, I
didn't tell him anything, but I think,
"Oh man, that's that's a good idea
asking the Reb something, you know, like
like he gave me the idea, you know."
>> So I did.
>> Yeah. So I did. So I wrote the Rebel
letter
and describing to him this debate. I had
with my father. I even I remember I sat
with the cafer and I copied the lotion
of of you know the the quote exact quote
from the kaf and I sent it to theb and
and before I closed the letter this idea
came to me you know the mitzvah
invitations were already there on my on
my table and I was thinking you know
what why don't I send the rabbi an
invitation to I had no idea it's
you know I it was like a kid you know I
was like okay let's send him invitation
and I did and um sure enough about 2
months later or so I got a letter from
the Reba back which I didn't expect I
wrote the letter you know like a kid
writing a letter the half deal you know
to the president you're like write a
letter and ah the president has time for
me you know you give it a shot but it's
not like you're waiting for the answer
so but the answer did come and the reb
to get from the a letter for mitzvah,
you know, the the official um
that the Reb kind of kind of a standard
lotion the Reb sent everybody and the
Reb signed it and then there's a noun
base in the letter the the was published
already in other places and basically
answered that uh there's different
minogim
and uh I should look up in this forum
the different minogim and then he he
finishes it saying
other words is not giving me an answer
and he said look it up in but but the
real answer is
so sometime that we only that we only
have the m of
>> yeah like you're asking me why I'm
wearing black cuz wore black you know
>> the right so when I you know in
different occasions in Fabangas with Bim
or whatever when I when I retell that
story I always say and I'll say to you
as well I feel like the Reb with this
answer the Reb kind of made me a spit
>> because that was it you know
that's it the Reb is the is the way and
really as a kid when I got this letter I
was so thrilled you know and and then I
went to Shiva and the whole thing but
always felt you
I hope I uh you know I embody this value
but at least for sure I got it like from
the Reb as an answer and uh you know all
my life I'm trying to live with it you
know
>> right okay so you go to
and then you said the first time you
came to the was
so what was that like actually I think
I'm pretty sure that we interviewed in
the was about MMA. I think I'm pretty
sure that's what it was. So maybe you
can tell
>> maybe you can share a little bit about
that.
>> Right. So you know it's it's a bit uh
challenging to try to uh to try to
capture the experience of coming to the
Reb for the first time but um yeah it
was it was unbelievable. Let let's just
say I'll tell you like this. You know,
when I when I came for the first time, I
remember within a few days of being
there, I remember thinking there's no
way I'm going back to Israel. There's no
way I'm going back. Um I mean, I did I
did after, you know, realizing that this
would be way too much for my parents,
you know, especially back then, you
know, 1985,
you know, my parents weren't even in
America then. So it's a the world was
very different than today and I felt
like saying to them that I'm going to
stay would really be completely but I'm
I'm saying it to share the sentiment you
know it was basically a dream come true
just to come to see the to be there in
770 whatever whatever I was dreaming
it's going to be like was much better
and um you know it's uh and also and
also I'll say this and I want to be very
honest about this um since you know
today I bring often in Israel with with
young, you know, with bim with maid and
a lot of times I I don't want to be I
don't want to go too strong talking
about those memories cuz sometimes I
feel that people it it gives them a
little bit
you know it gives them a little bit of
uh I don't know how to translate it
exactly like u it's a it's people are
having sometimes a hard time hearing how
fantastic it was because you know um
it's unfortunately it's an experience uh
it's it's a state of mind it's not
available today especially at least not
in that way you know as it was so uh I'm
just saying like uh sometimes I I am in
fabas with people I see it you know
sometimes I talk about it and I see the
faces are starting to go a little uh so
listen it was something that is
impossible to describe obviously
um the the level I I would just say this
that the
um I don't know I don't know if if if
being alert
I don't know if that's the right word to
to describe the you know like you you
let's say when the Reb when the Reb
would be in the room okay once the Reb
enters whether it's
whatever the Reb is in you know the Reb
came out right once we were the presence
of the Reb
Everybody's alertness level, you know,
like like the the reality becomes
something that's different, you know,
it's like it's like a different level of
energy in the room. This I'm not saying
there's nobody is not talking yet.
There's no fab and it's just like the
Reb is here.
um was a very very different feeling and
uh you know the the let's say level of
optimism let's say okay being hopeful
being thinking you know we're going
towards Msiah and everything is going to
be good or whatever it is I'm just
having a good day you know it's like I'm
happy to be here right when the Reb is
around all those things for me at least
I'm I'm speaking about my experience you
know all those things were a given you
know that that life is amazing and I
know what I want and then it's all good.
You know, it's just incredible because
you're extremely affected by the fact
that the Reb is there. So, um, of
course, if if there was singing or sim
moments like that, you know, it was just
like um something else basically.
>> Okay.
Um and that tish at that time
it was you're able to like on the
fabangans you're able to understand the
rabbi or was it was just the at that
point?
>> That's a good question. That's uh it's
one of my favorite topics
uh to tell people about about what was
really going on in FBI and because you
know
it wasn't always so simple to really
understand what's going on in real time.
Now again this is obvious but I'm I I do
want to emphasize it that I'm really
speaking extremely from from my own
perspective you know so I'm I'm speaking
really I'm going to explain it really
strongly but this is what I felt I don't
know other people could feel other
things you know so for me it's like this
I really did learn Yiddish as much as I
could and obviously I really wanted to
listen and heal for bringing and focus
and as much as possible
um since you know I was in 770 for
several years. So I have you know
different memories of different angles
in 770 when I got myself a better place.
Obviously the first you know I came in
as an Israeli bur without any you know
or any relatives and common or anybody I
nobody got me a better place I had to
earn it on my own you know I mean I had
friends who gave me tips but uh but that
was it you know there's no good uncle
who has like a little place for you
under his uh you know bench or something
so obviously the first was challenging
in terms of also the second tissue It
was challenging in terms of uh being
able to be close or being able to hear.
Um did hear the reb
part of the fabbras but I can't say that
in that in those uh years in those
occasions of tissue I was able to fully
you know to fully be there. Um in later
years I I got myself better places in
770 and even then obviously when a good
place or when it was a quieter for
bringing sort of you know not so packed
this still even if you could hear the
you know thou begins the real work of of
holding with him and that was always a
challenge you know but uh yeah first was
was pretty hard but but uh you know
there's there were some obviously uh
you know weekday weekday for bringings
those those were obviously easier but
also on Shabas and Yum you know you
could you could get some of it at least
you know but for sure I can't say I
can't say that uh I I got all of it not
not even in later years
>> right
um is there anything you want to share
about the tishab in particular before we
move on to when he actually arrived to
stay
>> well well I'll say two things number
one, what I meant before when I said
that this is a favorite topic of mine is
to say what what's the favorite part of
it is that a lot of times I tell people
that
even though I think that a lot of people
uh you know I don't want to say most
because that would maybe sound too
extreme but certainly many people that
were bringing were not able to either
hear very well or even if they heard
well were not able to to hold cope with
the Reb, you know, it was a very
challenging, intellectually challenging
uh thing to do. Nevertheless, even
though you were in moments that you you
didn't hear or didn't understand, you
were glued to your place. Nonetheless,
it's a very important thing to
understand that in Fabbran
there were two things going on at the
same time. There one thing is trying to
understand what the Reb is saying. You
know, if you could do that, that's
fantastic. You know, but even if you
couldn't, the experience was so strong,
you could stand there for hours looking
at and many people did, you know, and
they'll tell you about it too that they
they they they knew that they don't
really understand the or maybe they
understood the cash and then and then,
you know, their minds flew away still
just standing and looking at the Reb the
you know was like magnetic type of
experience. It's that's why I'm saying
it's different than what we know today
because today I don't I I can't think of
anything similar that anybody would be
in in presence of somebody speaking okay
10 minutes 15 minutes if I don't hear so
well I don't understand okay have a nice
day you know how long can I do it you
know with the rabbit the rabbi had many
many participants who u were there just
just to see it or to feel it was already
a lot you know if you could even
understand what he's saying. Wow, that's
even better. So, that's just to to
explain that um
about particular moments in inv
um
you know, it's like I have so many years
altogether
um mixed in. I would say that Mev I do
remember there's a moment I remember
very very strongly is in Tishv when the
Reb got up to dance
um at the end ofashen
at the end of of the
second year I was there I'm pretty sure
that's what it is I don't think it's me
I think it's but the Reb said to sing of
and then of the and right away he might
have even started no I I don't think he
started himself then. He didn't. I think
he said to to say
they started singing
and and within shortly after the Reb got
up to dance. Now I think the Reb didn't
get up in for bringing to dance uh
probably for about 8 years or so. There
was like a long gap of of since the last
time that happened. So I didn't I didn't
see
and also prior to that you know in the
and all that there wasn't anything about
it and all of a sudden got up in the end
of it was
and he gets up with
unexpectedly and I just remember how the
whole 770 just like you know wherever I
was standing I was on the floor within a
second and then I had to regain back my
place to to see the rest of it. So uh
that's that's a strong memory from then
>> I thought I thought that was meh but
came
>> could be could be I I like I said maybe
it is mim so maybe it is you know but uh
that I remember strongly you know the
whole tish I mean there's everything is
special but if you ask me if you stomp
me on that you know this is what I pull
out uh that moment
>> and [clears throat] also um
there's also
Right.
So,
so first of all, you know, if you ask
about then obviously
was the highlight of the whole year in
terms of the Reb's um but it's not just
it's not just that you know there's a
coffus and the Reb is making with a
hand. It's pushed the Reb's face when he
walked into a coffus or when he walked
into 770. just like, you know, th those
are things are a little bit hard to say
because it's just like it's like
feelings and memories and and
how can you describe the the Reb's face
exactly, you know, but it was an obvious
thing like you saw the Reb walking in
the there's a I think you say in Yiddish
like it's like an expression like I
don't know how you say it exactly but it
just you see the Reb more sort of open
you know like looking at the people more
or just like a different different aura
coming out of him. So sing was a
different level and um
I think a lot of people know that one of
the most challenging Fabrangans
was
when the Reb wanted everybody who could
to go to Tal
and
but at the same time there was a
Fabrangan also the Reb started for
around 9:00 or so everybody went to Tal
around 6 or 7 or depending where you
were going But the first year that I was
there, everybody told me that I want
people to go far away and don't be a
smart boy and try to catch the Fabangan.
So I did, you know. Um but then in Mimv
uh the second time I was I just
remembered that the when I came back
and hearing the description of the
Fabran and I came already at the very
end at the very end of it. Sov
was when the Reb turned the the cup
around
upside down, right? Upside down. And I
mean before that there was a whole
uh about the you know there was there
was a whole fab and but the cup the turn
the cup around. So that year I I did go
to Tala to a closer uh area cuz I did
how I'm going to go I'm going to go to
Tala but I'm also going to catch some of
the Fabran.
>> You became smart. Yeah, I was a little
bit of a smart boy, I guess. Not
completely because I did go to Tala, you
know, but uh but I also wanted to catch
the Fbrran. And the and the thing was
also that in this Fbringion, if you came
earlier
and you yourself a place
then you would just stay there for the
duration of the Fbran. Well, you know,
in other Fabrans there were pl people
have mo kava and they have their own
place and it was a little bit
challenging to find a place to stand.
But in that FBring since it was already
starting as a chaos, so wherever you
went, you could stay there. So I I I
came and I stayed I stood pretty close
to the Reb
and and then when the Reb
um
you know turn talked about turning the
cup upside down and the B you know
people were you know that Fbranian once
the Reb basically held the Becca upside
down in his hand the whole time and he
started you know the beginning he said
and he turned it around then people
started singing and then the Reb started
like you know do with the hand holding
the the becca. So since the Reb was
holding it and everybody else who had a
cup that was done with it would also
hold it upside down and other people's
who had the bottles of mo or mashk
whatever they had they also held it
upside down. So the whole try to imagine
it like that. The whole 770 is holding
the cup upside down and I don't remember
like 5 10 minutes into it something like
that. Uh shockingly the Rebel looked at
me and uh and he told me to say it was
the motion that the Rebels did back then
was he was holding the cup you know in
one hand and then he went like this. So
I got like a look like this from the Reb
like where's your you know
so I never the Reb never asked me to
sell you know before or since you know
it was just like my moment in life you
know but the problem was that there was
no more in 770. I mean 10 minutes ago
the Reb already said to turn it upside
down which means basically to empty all
the vessels and the Reb said back then
this was related to the Rambam why the
the goblets the G are upside down so
because you have to empty them and give
it to the world. So,
um, it took me like a little while
turning around and figuring out that
there's no way I'm I'm going to skull
the right here and and and leaving
outside and trying to get from outside
would wasn't a good idea cuz I would
never be able to come back where I was
standing, you know. So, and by the time
I was figuring my options, the niggan
ended and the Fabran ended. And the only
other uh time for me to say to the Reb,
I mean, some people said during a
coffus, but for me in a I was like way
up there in the ceiling. So, there was
no way to sell to the Reb. The next um
opportunity would be the next day for
bringing
and u
you know lo and behold as they say I
come to this for bringing and the second
that I I raise my cup which was
basically the first niggan the rebba
said then the they started a niggan and
I'm raising my cup the looked in another
direction but as soon as I raised my cup
the rebel looked at me and said to me.
So, uh that was that was like a very
special moment in my life where
Mameish felt it like the Reb basically
knows it all and he feels it all and you
know even though it's Bim in 770 we all
believed it obviously that was like the
default setting that you know that knows
who you are and he knows what you're
thinking and you know but it was with
you know you don't have on a regular
basis a a proof for it. You know, it's
like you believe it. In in in my time,
there was no personal anymore. So, we
didn't really have a chance, you know, I
missed that. People who came a couple
years before me, they had some even
though it was already those year was
very short and everything, but still you
can't you came to the room, you know.
So, we didn't have that already in
wasn't
so
feeling it, you know. I owe him to the
Reb from last night and it just it turns
to me right away and gives it to me.
After you can imagine how I felt in
between the time that the Reb told me to
sell until he actually did the next day.
I felt like basically the the biggest
mazel in the world. You know, the Reb
asked you to sell and there's no mask in
770. I mean, how likely is that? But
that's what happened. So, I felt pretty
bad and the Reb, I'm sure, felt it. So
it just gave me a quick and you know it
was a major um feeling of you know the
reba is here he knows you knows what's
going on.
>> Wow. Okay. Thank you for sharing that.
>> So
me you went back and then you I just
remind me you said you came back to
Mars.
>> Yes. So me was there for tish
then I went back to Israel. Now, like I
said, and this is real, you know, I'm
not playing it up or anything, but
really the the first dish I came, the
second I came, I really wanted to stay
mit
the way I felt and uh I was I was ready
to do it, you know, but uh
there was no way to do it unless I would
really, you know, cause a big issue with
my parents, you know. I was 15 years
old, 16 years old. So after tish
involved um when I came back to Israel I
started already doing tish but even when
I came back I started writing the rebel
like every few weeks I'm writing a a pan
I'm asking for a braha that some miracle
should happen that I should be able to
come learn by the rebba I really this
was the only thing on my mind and uh the
miracle did happen my parents decided my
father's a professor and decided to go
on a sabbatical year to Toronto.
So because of that and somehow,
don't ask me how, but somehow I managed
to convince my parents
that, you know, I'm going to miss them
so much. I'm not going to be able to
stay in Israel for a whole year, you
know. So they told me, "So what do you
suggest?" I said, "Well, you know,
Toronto, New York, it's not so far away.
I should go to yeshiva in New York and
uh and then I could come visit you once
in a while. And somehow they they went
for it. And um they even helped me
because you know back then I don't know
how it is today but back then if you
were at a bish yeshiva in lud you know
to soil and you would come to terra
during many bim came to check out maybe
they could train the yeshiva you know
but there was an agreement between the
yeshivas that uh you could only learn in
terra if you from Israel send them a
letter that they are asking for you to
learn there wasn't so easy to get this
document but here. My parents were going
to a sabbatical. So this was like an
official thing. They came to Dan and
then I got a letter. So I had no
problem. It was like a smooth ride for
me. I got to New York and and basically
I came for Pes. So Pes was you know in
1440 with the older and then after Pes
went to Morristown. So I was in
Morristown for for half me and me Zion.
But every shabas I was in car nights you
know I was never never
>> every single shabas
>> what
>> you're never a shabas in maristan
>> never I was never there for shabas not
yet
[laughter]
no and during the week I'll just say
during the week sometimes there were
surprise for bringinsions you know big
forans obviously everybody went to New
York for bringing sometimes the I
remember surprise for bringins that that
we were debating like should we listen
and the hookup
or should we go to New York and it but
you know you go very fast an hour and 20
minutes whatever it was and at least you
catch the second part of the fabran in
770 you know so that's I think that's
what we usually did you know um
>> you you were from that camp that decided
to go
>> yeah but I'll tell you I don't I I
remember this maybe once or twice
because I was from the camp that if
there was even a chance that there would
be a foran we would already in New York,
you know,
>> right?
>> Something like that, you know. I was I
came for the Reb, you know, I didn't
come to sit in Morristown or any any
place like that, but there's no other
way.
>> Why did you go to Marstown and not
>> So that's funny. That's funny you ask
because my my Israeli friends who were
then in Kut,
right? So that Pes I was I was thinking,
should I go to or should I go to
Morristown? So they told me, listen, if
you're going to go to LA, then you're
going to be in 770 all day. You're never
going to learn anything. But you go to
Morristown, at least during the week,
you know, you'll learn and then you come
for Shabas. I don't know if that's what
really happened in reality, but at least
in theory, that was the idea, you know.
>> Yeah. So, and then and then me I uh I
basically chose
um not to go on as a ber I don't know if
this was the right thing or not but
that's what I chose cuz I I wanted to be
you know I wanted to be by the so to me
it was so hard for me to even get there
from Israel with my parents the whole
thing and then everybody wants to go on
I was like you know what I'm I'm I'm in
770 so I kind of stayed you know m
I was in 770.
>> So you went straight from Mars in the
770. Boom.
>> Yeah. Basically, basically. Yeah. Kind
of like U.
>> So you
>> So you were there. Um, so you there?
>> I was. I was actually somebody called me
today in Israel to to ask me to be to
Fabang somewhere. So one of the question
was, you were the right. I said I was.
Okay, let's do it. you know, they're
looking for somebody was there.
>> Yeah. So, it's it's almost maybe uh
maybe you could talk about that a little
bit.
>> Oh, yeah. Yeah, for sure. Well, okay.
Well, did not is definitely
one of the highlights of u of the years
that I was there. Uh no question about
it. I would say listen, the story the
story begins when I was still in Israel
and the summer of Mh. I was in yeshiva
in Malahabad
and I remember so I remember really you
know very strongly this memory that
we were told that the Reb is going to
speak about something um very very
important on
the reason we heard that is because you
know the Reb already had a [snorts]
fores before and he told them that he'll
speak about it and so but we had no idea
speak about it we didn't know what it
means and we were young so we weren't in
the know of really the insides of the
babage what's going on we just knew
makik so as boim we were certain not
certain I wouldn't say certain but we
were thinking that probably there's
going to be a new ma because that's the
spirit of the days you know is going to
speak about something important what's
it going to speak about you
So we had no clue that this is coming
and then the Arab spoke and then uh you
know was more of a less publican.
So still still we heard the hookup but
uh you know so uh a lot of people were
confused in Israel. People didn't really
know exactly what's going on. The
details were like you know trickling in.
This guy knew this. This guy knew that.
But there was a general sense
uh I'm talking about the very beginning
you know after that we all knew what's
going on but there was a general sense
that this is something that is very very
uh upsetting the reb this is like this
is like really
and uh and I'll say as a young guy I
remember when when when the actual story
and the details came out I remember in
my own mind a little bit of a kind of
like a gap like I couldn't understand
why this is so tob I'm probably I'm not
the only one but I'm just saying like
not that I was questioning it I'm just
saying like this was at the whole you
know I remember that we were still in
Israel and and and we heard I think it
was shabinas when the when the like put
his hand on the table and and it was
like with with rashag was bringing that
spoke with rashag and knocked on the
table and those reports were coming in
and uh it was it was amazing like
everybody knew then there was I think
the Reb said then that that it's hard
for him to to prepare
there was an expression like this you
know things nobody ever heard the rebb
ever heard the rebba affected that he
would say that he would say publicly
that it's affected so so the sense that
theb is in distress about it
to me at least to where I was at those
in those years was a lot stronger than
the actual details of what's going on.
It was just I mean we knew the some of
the details. I'm just saying today when
bo people read the whole story you know
you go into the details and this
happened that happened for us the
details were secondary. The main thing
was that the reb was you know so there
was a a lot of tension around this you
know a lot of uh stress.
So, so that's just the AC and then then
I I I went to New York and I was there
uh like I said, you know, I came middle
of MV, so the summer of MV and the
winter of Minne and then
I was actually I had a big to be did not
in New York and not in Morristown and
that is because on that Kanuka
of Mine
I like I said you know I was I didn't
spend spent so much time in Morristown
and so that Kanuka is whoever remember
those years it's a famous Kanuka where
basically almost the only Shiva was u
expelled back to New York as a
punishment which I knew I I was I love
those punishments you know if you they
were upset at you the punishment go to
New York for a week okay great thank you
so so I was one of those punished for
not being uh not asking for shoes
whatever it was and they sent me to New
And there I am and meet them all, you
know, and I'm I'm right there. So I
remember 11:00 in the morning, I
remember they they started saying the
was already talk before that it's
coming. Wasn't a complete shock, but
nobody really knew it's going to be when
and what and
yeah and that was um that was an amazing
um
you know time. Um the first few hours
everybody was dancing in front of 770
and everybody is saying you know and
then the coming to Mina which uh I
happen to to to remember it pretty well
um because the contrast between where we
were at you know and the way the Reb
came in it was it was pretty obvious you
know and you could even see it in the
video today and imagine what it's like
to feel it you know it's pretty much
around 11 we got the news if I remember
correctly. So let's say 11:30 or so
you're already in front of 770 dancing
you know and then M is 3:15 right so
it's like after 3 to 4 hours of and
dancing outside inside upstairs you know
said 2770 finally the reb comes in
honestly I was sure the reb is going to
come in you know it's like that that was
the feeling everybody's dancing I mean
we thought we are uh doing the right
thing you know and then the rebs in
and you know so serious also on his face
not only the movements of the hand his
face was so serious and you know the
they started the um
singing the the I think it was the right
and the rebel looked it was just it just
didn't look like everybody is in the
same on the same page here however
however And I I remember that the Reb
turned around to say
that moment that the Reb turned to say I
I remember feeling like all the pressure
going off because if the Reb will say I
mean this is
so this was not common to say there's
nothing to say for unless you know it's
and also I was you know after some I
remember also by the way this is the
only time that I remember that the Reb
is speaking and I'm not 100% sober. Okay
to say it mildly. Okay? Because at any
other time I speak I speak to people
about it on Purim, you know, or any
other time just imagine like I said
before the told me to say so I I didn't
have but let's say I did have you know
nobody really I mean you'd say to but
nobody would really want to get too
buzzed on the at least not me. I don't
know about other people but you want to
you know be in the moment and listen to
what the Reb is saying. you want to hold
cop, you don't want to lose your mind
here. So, um, you know, sometimes the
Reb would say to people to sell again
cuz if the Reb would really want
somebody, you know, you know the story
with Elizel, that's a famous story, but
it's it happened many times with people,
the Reb said again again cuz the Reb
know that people they don't want, you
know, not because they I mean they love
to sell not but not when the Reb is
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>> So um
I remember this uh feeling of ache
the sim on one hand that you know is
going to say so it is a big thing. We
didn't just dance like for nothing but
also the fact that I'm not 100% was I
was very distressed about it and I
remember when the Reb said right away
it's like within the first few seconds
of the Reb start saying about the
said
and
right so it's a famous thing said it
many times but here said in detail that
that the Reb pointed the Mba to guide
the young and I remember hearing it and
it was for me it was like okay the Reb
is confirming the are standing half
drunk it's okay you know the Reb that's
how I felt it that there was some sort
of you know and the said
you know it's like for sure the Reb was
happy was it was all a matter of balance
you know so and then the whole week the
Reb said
and 770 you know there was nothing like
it I don't think I don't think there was
ever that I remember I mean like was
like something from and really all it
was all it was it was love to the really
that's that's what it was because like I
said before you know and the details of
the testimonies I mean there's some
boims that were like learning all the
details and what's going on it's amazing
I mean I knew what's going on I wasn't
as uh you know informed about everything
but it wasn't I didn't feel
then that this is where it was at. I
don't know the details. I know the is
happy that the the we're winning the the
court. That's all I care is happy. I'm
happy. You know that was the sentiment
around and it was a pretty strong
sentiment. It was it was amazing. you
know, it was uh
yeah
>> and um all of the all when you're in New
York whenever Marstown during that
period that sentiment or that like that
pressure was felt throughout all those
months, you know, until until
>> Right. Right. It was, you know, and
that's what I'm saying. It was like such
a release even though we it wasn't the
end, but we we obviously didn't know
that uh at that moment. So we just know
the Reb was victorious and um you know
it was just like uh I mean the Reb about
Sima anyway in those years in a very
very uh serious way so it wasn't like
Sima wasn't on the table you know and
but this was even more because it was a
personal thing you know I didn't mention
here uh another thing which happened
where the Reb had pain in his leg and
because of that um he started uh diving
upstairs. It was like a monster that
diving upstairs. This is involv
right when I came now now remembering as
I was speaking to you when I came I told
you I came for uh I came after Purim in
Mvov and
>> it's right then that's when it happened
>> right it's right then and
>> right and the and the first time that
the reban went downstairs to Davin back
downstairs to Davin was was Yv of PES
of PES and I remember this when they
announced
>> those those months the moved everything
upstairs everything was upstairs
>> I was I was you know shabas morning
davening was up everything besides
>> the came downstairs for
>> right right so besides
>> the upstairs right so so shabas
obviously you know how much room is
there upstairs for shabas so we do have
to come a lot earlier right to a place
but but there you could hear a
like you never hear downstairs that was
that that's I remember that very very
strongly I mean besides governing
upstairs was special but the was was
really and then the first time the reb
came back down was lev was a big simka
remember when uh when the reb came down
so I'm I'm bringing this up to say that
when what I said before about like the
rebim the reb victorious it it also has
to do push it with the Reb's health bag
because you know the Reb was having a
hard time walking and the Reb stopped
coming out of the main door of 770 you
know and since then I mean it didn't
usually I mean depending where he went
you know went to the suka or went to the
library so it did come out from the
front but I'm saying in general with the
car and everything there from that time
didn't really go from front of 77 it's a
it's a big detail uh to have in mind
over here you know I'm saying symbolism
of it, you know.
>> So, what you're saying is basically that
besides the Reb's the the
anguish that caused the Reb and everyone
felt that that was like probably the
first time the were privy to such
you know emotion to the Reb also at that
time there was also all of a sudden
physical health related uh thing with
the reba that also pained. So it was
like a very it was a it was a whole
basically of of that feeling for the
then I guess kind of lifted that that's
what you're saying
>> right right
>> I'm summarizing and asking confirming
making sure I'm right
>> you said it right I mean before that we
only heard we did hear the Reb you know
speaking very emotionally about you know
the Israel and Mui and different things
I mean the the passion when the Reb
would speak about or or even you know
admos for example,
>> you know, but but but still
all those issues is one thing but
something so personal, you know, this
and the necess of the Reban is affecting
the Rebashm
that was a whole other level and
therefore the simra of it when when when
it was uh was yeah the simra was um you
know I I'll tell a side comment but I
heard uh recently I listen again to the
fabbran of yodal ydalat kiss of lameess
which is 50 years you know the
anniversary so the rabbi says with an
expression
that uh is asking why why is there we
didn't see by that well first of
[clears throat] all not all of them came
to 50 years of anniversary but those who
did we didn't see that they did anything
publicly with. So then the Reb said
what whatever he explained over there
but he said that it's
in a day like this
the
expression I heard it so basically is
saying so that for bringing this is not
just for bringing for this for bringing
to the you know the loved ones. So if
you if you listen carefully the is
basically telling you if you're there or
if you're listening to it you're you
know so it's a similar thing you know
was something
was like inside situation you know the
it was a different category of
connection and therefore I think the
also felt more more hish kind of a
situation you know Right.
I mean today there's a whole other
appreciation and understanding of when
you first of all knowing more details of
the story and also all of the about
which we appreciate you know after I
guess in hindsight much more but he's
saying at that time it was a whole
different component that was the main
thing about the right
and the
>> right I agree with you that in
perspective from today
um this was all basically uh you know
preparation for our situation today
because those that the Reb says in those
years regarding
you know that every year the
and all those issues yeah those those
are giving us a lot of today and it even
it even seems as if this was some sort
of a for us you know something I don't
know exactly what to call it but that's
how we look at it today absolutely
Okay. So, um what are some of the
sov
you're there and I I asked in the
beginning about understanding the
>> and you said that as the years went on
there was more of that. So are there any
like um highlights from those early
years that uh that you remember that
something that you want to share like
particularly I mean there's some there
like a moment that kind of cemented uh
you being plugged into the Reb's mission
you know or something like that that
type of thing
you know there's like u there's some
famous
there there's different uh things like
that. So maybe you want to share.
>> Right. So so I I'll I I'll I'll tell you
something in general and then I'll I'll
zero in on a couple moments. But in
general I want to say that um you know
in in in those years there were uh there
was for bringing almost every shabas. I
mean after after the for sure there was
a for every shabas but even before that
it was almost every shabas you know. um
the uh
the amount of Torah that the Reb poured
on us
um in in real time. I mean obviously
today we have the in the bookshelf you
know we could see I mean it takes
exactly 3 seconds to show somebody what
is the the you know the fruits of the
rebra I mean we see the volume of it
even even so that's obvious today when
you look at the library you could show
it right but I'm speaking about in in in
real in real uh in real life in real
happening right so you there 770 okay so
the amount of
let's say you have a liquid every shabas
okay and you have the of last week which
is 30 to 40 pages you know and then
there's all kinds of things in the
middle of the week right I'm just saying
stamp to to catch to be um what's the
word uh to be like updated with the
rebent publication
>> up to date
>> up to date yeah thank you to be up to
date with the reb yeah let's say I I
arrive here here uh involved you know to
be up to date that itself took a lot of
work just to catch up to where the reb
is holding you know and um you know
let's say there's a faban and chabas so
foran is let's say four hours 5 hours
depending which year but loan this is
about what it is and you feel and by
Monday Tuesday depends which week an
comes out the whole is written okay so
no matter what I got in Shabas now I
have Dan and I have to learn it right so
I'm saying this to say that for somebody
like me you know somebody came for a
week or two or a month but somebody was
there for like straight you know 5 years
and then like another two three years in
and out something like that which is
basically my mat I'm just saying there's
no way for me to hold it all in my mind
so but I do know I do know
when I was there. So for me let's say
this year particularly is from
so I'm looking you know doing more now
also a little bit but doing you know
a lot of times I look in fabian and I'm
like wow I was there that's amazing you
know I feel I feel more connected
because I was there and yet I don't
remember it at all you know c certain
I'm saying certain s I'm like really how
can I I don't remember it you know
because we're talking about some
seriously
high volume of of that you have to
remember I wish I remember more than I
do you know but then I'm saying this as
a setting to on the other side of it
there are some moments that was so
[snorts] strong that would never forget
you know that they were there the in my
mind you wake me up in the middle of the
night I'm I'm I'm there you know uh
bashm, you know, those moments were
obviously the more uh emotionally
charged moments because usually that's
how we remember things is like there's
like something going on, you know. So,
so for example, yes, you you mentioned
um
that's a that I remember where I was
standing. remember first well first
first of all that's which is which is
also a liquid you know it's in the it's
mug I'm pretty sure it's mug twice you
know one version in the there's another
version that the was right after it's
almost the same but not exactly but
there's also another interesting detail
to that which is very unusual not not
completely unusual but highly unusual
and that is that the reb actually said
the questions of the rashi
a few days before because there was a
for the who came for Pes this is like a
this is a right after Pes like a week or
two and there was
and in in the which we all heard you
know we would be standing outside and
listening to the or maybe maybe it's I
think it's I'm pretty sure it's maybe
it's a women no I think it's and the Reb
He says that he's going to speak about
it on Shabas is it's the of the day I
think. So the Reb starts the
starts asking questions about Rashi what
is Rashi talking about and he's
presenting all the questions and by
Shabas this already I'm not sure but it
might have been even mug could be that
the Reb was the questions or they were
printed like everybody knew the Reb is
going to talk about it. I'm just saying
um this did happen many times that we
knew the rashi that or even or even
sometimes the question but to have a
it's like a it's like a 15inut I think
it's not it's not short you know so we
knew we knew the questions but uh there
what what I remember particularly is not
da itself which which I did hear that's
talking before about that understood or
not by the Well, you give a you have to
give a background of what the what the
rash is.
>> What the rash is, right? So, the rash is
basically um
uh
don't stand by when your friend is blood
is is being spilled. Okay, that's
basically the puk and and and Rashi
gives an example that
somebody is drowning in the river and
and and and
a wild animal or robbers
come to him. Okay. And and and and you
could save him in this particular it's a
it's a very particular scenario.
somebody is drowning in the river and uh
and the wild animal or robbers are are
at the edge of the river. So it's not
only he's drowning but if he's trying to
save himself he has nowhere to go. And
the rabbi was analyzing this, comparing
it to the to the midrash, to the source
of Rashi takes it from and analyzing the
differences in the you know in the
wording there and also just the idea why
is Rashi getting into such a particular
situation and the answer of course I'm
just saying the point of it the answer
that the Reb gave was that Rashi is
presenting us with a situation where
there's a suffk
what is you know whether you're going to
save the person or you may get hurt
yourself because it's a wild animal or
robbers and nonetheless
you do have to risk your u your own
safety which is a sophic you're not sure
if you're going to get hurt or not and
um to to save another person okay so
that's the general topic and the general
idea but there when the reb discussed
this idea that you could actually uh you
know save this person.
The Reb when when he said it, you know
those words
and if if showing you a situation like
this, why is he showing it to you?
You know, remember the Reb like shouting
it so so to say, you know, 770 is quiet.
When the Reb is speaking anyway, it's
quiet. you know, nobody is speaking, you
know, for bringing everybody's uh as
they say, you could hear the the flies,
you know, it's not it's not an
exaggeration. It was really very very
quiet, you know, when the Reb was
speaking, nobody was uh nobody dared to
to not to speak but to to even make any
sounds, you know. So, it was very quiet
and you hear the his tone, you know, is
going up and he's basically but the idea
is that he's saying to us that we could
save another, you know, That's so
bringing like that you know when the Reb
basically um
um you know put it in our mind not not
just the idea as an intellectual idea
that we could help another Yid but it's
that it's our responsibility that we
must do it you know so it's like we have
in the para where Ysef you know he sees
Yakov au you know there there it's in a
situation of or is about to do something
not right and he sees Yakovu But I think
about us those who heard the Reb or
today learning the but of course if you
heard it from the it's like sometimes
there are situations you know when I
don't feel like doing you know I'm like
I'm whatever it is I'm at some airport
and it's not like you ask me I'm okay
just keep doing my thing you know but
you hear the reb's voice you know
like you could do something you know
those those things
have huge impression, you know, and also
and also the the that thought that you
could affect, you know, a lot of times
it's not just that I don't feel like it,
but even deeper is that I don't think
it's going to work, you know, like I was
in whatever it is, you have to go speak
to the mayor, tell him, I don't know, to
give permission for whatever it might
be. And you feel like, no, why why would
he care about it, you And all of a
sudden the Reb's voice, you hear it in
your head. It was like, what are you
talking about? Of course you could do
it. Well, I give you the to do it. You
know th those are very powerful uh
uh moments where the Reb instilled those
ideas. I I always tell people by the way
that you know the Reb there's two tools
that the Reb used. I mean there's more
than two but two general tools the Reb
used to affect the world. One was
you know personal encounters with people
which obviously changed people's lives
completely and the other one is faban
now faban was a bigger kay for the rebba
um you know first of all you know also
stopped at some point but even in
generalis faban this is really the the
way the rebba did it and I think I mean
I'm not here to rate it I'm just saying
like faban was the main clea right and
um That's what made you know people go
to and follow the Reb was basically
right. So yeah, those those it's not
just the intellectual ideas which are
amazing obviously but it's the way the
Rebi gave it to us, you know.
arts, you know.
>> Yeah. And it's interesting that you're
saying that the rabbi gave this and this
is what this is the
with that power, you know, to go. I
think I heard from others that this
you're describing
was a big wakeup call. There's a few
sikas during those years strong words
that the used I I think I believe I
heard that there are people that like
that was like when it hit them like we
need to become like that's that's the
at the time that was like when it hit
them that is to be
>> absolutely in those years you know in in
winter you know and also did not also
said you know so definitely definitely
somebody wants once told me somebody in
town nights um that have had a lot have
a lot of kids. So he told me and he's
like I guess maybe
five to eight years older than me
something like that you know. So he said
once jokingly but but it's not really
jokingly. He said listen when I was in
770 the talked very strongly against
family planning. you know, when you were
in 770, the talked very strongly about
Kabad, you know, so that's the
difference. I I live here and I have a
lot of kids and you guys went on, you
know, but it's a joke, but it's true.
It's it's definitely true. And you're
right that invoke
about you, you know, before very
strongly. But I think in those years the
Reb emphasized more and more that he's
speaking to everybody that this is like
you don't have to wait to be called you
know before it was so if Mosk called you
then it meant that you're getting the
job something like that you know but in
our years in like
in those years it just became like not
not that you don't have to be official
but I'm saying like the Reb pushed this
idea that everybody could uh
excuse me,
excuse [clears throat] me, that they
ever pushed the idea that it's for
everybody.
So, it's true. It's true.
>> Right.
[clears throat] And um someone else that
I spoke to uh in one of the previous
podcasts was talking about that in his
years, he has his years, but not you
guys after have everything. I think the
he used was so I guess now we have to
have large families and go if they're
both.
>> Okay. So
um so okay I'm just I'm I'm thinking
about that those years in that
>> okay
>> so talking
so then we get to
so first of all something that everybody
first of all the big and then also
everybody that I talk to describes
as
out of this world,
>> right?
>> Maybe you want to talk about that.
>> Okay. So, first of all, yeah, of course,
of course, I also talk about it. In
fact, when I when I talk about it with
people, I always tell them don't don't
believe me. Ask other people about me.
So, so get it from other people as well.
So, I'd say like this. Listen, I
I was
um really only only before that
right.
So I'm not not the expert ones but I was
there for three years prior and um
yeah it was it was very different. Well
first of all tism in general you know
when tism came and the rabbi talk about
because of the letters of the year.
So the Reb already pushed
very very strongly and then
it was the moment when Rashag
um left. Okay. There was a combination
of a couple things that happened
together.
>> He left our office.
>> Yeah. He left. Now you know that moment
he he basically came into well first
there was my rib you know and then there
was a coffus. So he did come into a
coffus
and he's a big player in the [snorts] in
the scene of Akoffus because he goes to
to a cop with the Reb, the first one and
the lastb
>> obviously and dances with the Reb
>> and
the years that I was there before um you
know he was already quite a senior
gentleman. Um and the Reb would put a
hand on him and the dance would be
extremely uh slow due to his condition
and and this is just how it was you know
um so the Rebet physically
couldn't really do much when when he's
with him you know so then he comes in
for a coffus and really just like in the
very beginning
or or maybe it was already after my no
kind of separate. No, you came in. It
was very close to the beginning. This is
like the first 10 minutes. I don't know.
He didn't feel well after he came in or
whatever it was. The Rebel looked a few
minutes go by and everybody gets it that
he's leaving. Now, let me tell you
something. The everybody felt with all
due respect to Yeah. because everybody
got it that the reb is going to be by
himself. You know that it's going to be
a whole different aphasy ever seen. I
mean
>> and it happened once before by the way I
think Maliff I think had a stroke
>> and that year he wasn't there and danced
by himself. So there was precedent for
it.
>> Okay. So that I didn't know at the
moment and uh and even if people did you
know still you know it was like uh an so
the sim remember it's like everybody was
like and also the rebba the reb himself
I remember the the after or the
first thing that happened after
everything was different it was pretty
at least this is how I remember it that
it was pretty uh felt that it wasn't
just us like there was sim there was not
I mean let him be healthy and everything
but there's going to be something else
going on here. Okay. So that's
first of all then the mis that's
actually what happened when the reb was
holding the by himself and you know
looking at certain sides of 770 in a
more particular way and you know and
pointing the towards them and it was
just incredible because let's say if I
was if I saw the rabbit's back
for a moment right when he's like
looking at the other side and you look
in front of you and you see the whole
side that the Rebel looks at basically
going to the ceiling and down and you
know that in in a few seconds or
whatever it's going to be our turn. It
was just really unbelievable. Okay. So,
so, so the office of the Reb by himself
were a major thing. But besides that,
add to that that also the regular
acoffus. Also the regular aus the the
movements that the Reb did with his body
and and and just the level of intensity.
I remember I remember in general couple
times but in more particular I remember
it
I remember telling myself
you know work harder to remember what
you're saying. I'm seriously I'm not
making it up. If I remember it, mamesh
mishas
that I'm telling myself, you have to
remember this. You have to remember cuz
cuz I remember feeling that this is not
I can't I couldn't even believe that I
actually see that the Reb is physically
doing you know with his hands you know
clapping and the the speed of it and it
was just like you you were looking and I
was like this can't be this can't I
can't be this is not what I'm seeing
here is not be going on it's impossible
that it's something else like there's no
words to describe it but I do remember
feeling it bish
and then
when the reb came back to his place
um
I think this was must have been the
second night you know I don't I think
the rebba there was like a few other
songs that the reb did from his place
you know in other words he went under
the stairs akas pretty much ended and
instead of the reb going to the stander
um is there and he's singing a few more
songs singing yet. I remember even I
remember even that that the Reb is
everybody's singing a song and the Reb
wants to start another song but you know
the 770 everybody's still singing not
and label from the back is behind the
reb is going with the hands everybody to
be quiet because that wants to sing
another song for
and yet and and another another song
that I don't remember right now but that
extra
Aus, you know, a
um
when it came to the end, you know, there
was always
au everybody saying au
when when when the reb would come back
to his place and the would be back and
that song I don't know when it started
that everybody was singing it, but that
was that ashenu at the end of a copus
that was sang every year was pure a love
song to the you know just imagine it
after the whole and after the whole
thing and this is a coff and everybody
feels so grateful to to Hashem that we
actually seeing this that we are part of
this you know so that au was just like
you know everybody was really there 100%
and so in that year when the rebi felt
like the rebi himself like we felt was
like we don't want this ever to end
right in it felt like the rabbi was uh
was feeling it like almost I was like
the rabbi also didn't want it to end he
added more nigon and more nigim and in
fact I remember also that some people I
was then you know 20 years old whatever
and I heard like a day or two later
people told me you know some elidim are
saying that maybe it's not such a good
sign you know that the
because you know in the
Maybe he's trying to mic some zer and I
remember dismissing it thinking who was
the mug who came up with this like it
didn't sound to me at all like a like a
legit way of thinking but I do remember
that people mentioned it. I I definitely
do remember it and I'm remembering not
accepting it at all but obviously we all
know you know what happened in so there
was that sense in tism this was a very
emotionally charged year because it
started with with this crazy bang of
simka that we've never seen um and then
I mean it took a few months you know but
still it did happen in the winter the
rabbit rabbit sitting shiva and and
walking by the rabbit sitting Shiva.
This was like not something anybody
thought about or wanted to be a part of
and and yet you know at the end of the
year um the Reb says it's it's actually
in
where the Reb speak about
and the Reb also got up to dance over
there. This was also one of the you know
unforgettable forbrings of all times you
know both in terms of content of what
the Reb is saying over there that we
need to be more to bring Mashia I mean
it's a pretty radical there but also the
dance that the Reb
and also the Reb said over there that it
was
I think
because of buildings because also
But you know it's an amazing thing that
in that year the Reb actually writes in
a
you know so
it was a mix you know that uh but
definitely definitely
was
and also the the demand
that we should be it's like all over
that year and and
you know that definitely uh you know I I
as as somebody who who basically kind of
grew up in 770. I'll tell you something.
I'm always ready for a dance. Seriously,
it's even today, you know, I live in
fast. I d in a pos. They don't dance so
much in in the sh that I dab in. But
today punked, you know, somebody started
dancing after dinging. Some of the
people in the sh they look at him
whatever maybe he's having a hard time.
I don't know. But for me, I see you
dancing. immediately
kadima, you know, I'm like, why don't we
do it every day? Cuz, you know, growing
up in 770, I mean, this isn't the most
natural normal thing to do is to be even
if you're not doesn't matter if I'm
there or not. It's it's a it's aim,
you know.
>> Yeah.
>> So, uh that's definitely
a result of education in 770 in those
years. No question about Yeah,
>> definitely is a common scene in 770
especially in the later years when
starting in the weekday very often
when there's a
whether or anything else
the natural reaction when the leaves
that there's a whole the whole dance
every other day.
>> Yeah. In the middle of in the middle of
the riots, there was a about the the
gill from Mashiah, you know, everyone's
dancing, you know.
>> Right. Right.
>> Exactly. So, you know,
>> so maybe
Yeah. um you know you go back to
it's actually I mean when you learn the
which I happen to learn a lot of
um recently it's like you read them
especially about
then you know what's happening it's like
hard to
to you know compute exactly how that
happened but maybe maybe you could talk
a little bit
Right. So, [clears throat]
let me just say this in in general
comments before we get into the details.
I think that
maybe for people who weren't there, you
know, I don't know if everybody
knows the feeling of, you know, what we
felt back then. It it was it was a big
disaster basically you know it's like in
my in my book and I don't feel so
comfortable to say it but I but I do
feel it you know that giml was basically
started inat
in other words the fact that the
rabbitson passed away
uh that was not
um I mean the vision was the rabbit you
know is taking us to Guula with the
rabbitson. I mean it doesn't matter that
we never saw her and we didn't know
anything about her. That that's you know
she's the reb is rabbitson. I mean she's
our rabbitson but whether I know her I
see her. Okay. So so she's not she's
extremely tanua and she's not uh you
know by the way I did I did look at the
rabbitson once. Um and it was quite
obvious that she was not so happy about
it. So I experienced personally this
thing about the rebbitson not wanting to
be uh seen in public that uh
>> what was that? And that was the you know
the rebbiten
in those years in the in the later mems
they built this apartment for the reba
in the back of the library and the reb
would go there for shabas right instead
of walking home I I don't remember which
year it started but when I came which is
you know midmanov this was already how
it was you know
>> and the son were there for shabas
>> was there for shabas and the rebba went
to the library and and in the morning he
would walk
back to 770. So uh so the rebbiton would
be driven
to 770 a while before Shabas by uh
Gansburg you know he was the shamesh and
he was the driver and usually
there was there was an awning
uh covering the door you know the
driveway of the library which um I guess
it's not there anymore since they built
right I mean I'm trying
>> it's still there the driveway
>> still there it is still there okay so
that driveway I I don't I don't think
you could. Yeah. Mhm.
>> Yeah. Probably still there. I'm not just
not picturing it how it is right now.
I'm remembering it how it was. Um
so anyway, um there was a awning. It
would before it would go pick her up, he
would lower this awning, then it would
go get her. So with with this awning
down, when you would drive the car, you
wouldn't see anything, which was the
reason why this awning was there. So you
can't see anything. But there's one one
Friday and I was there with a friend or
two sitting on the bench in the
and it was just before Shabas. We were
already ready for Shabas. I don't I
don't know why we were there but we were
there and we noticed that somebody
forgot to lower this awning. So we
figured, you know, the rabbit's probably
going to be driven in any moment. I mean
she's coming for Shabas. So this is our
opportunity to to to look, you know. So
that's what we did. I mean, nobody was
there, just the three of us or two of us
and he opened the door and she came, you
know, bought the walker. She had a
walker then. And so she gave us a look,
just turned with her head to look at us,
looking at her. And just the way it fell
to me, it fell to me. I mean, it wasn't
like a sad look, but it wasn't it was
like, uh, guys, what are you doing here?
you know, kind of that kind of a look,
you know, like it's like, you know, I'm
not uh here to be seen, so so why are
you here to look? Something like that.
At least that's how we felt. So did see
her. But I'm saying the the general
vision
was that the Reb and the Rabbitson will
lead us to Mashiah, you know, that was
just like a given. So once that happened
and all of a sudden you have uh you know
the rebbit's in passing
not only that I mean the rebba we saw
the rebba I mean could just try to
imagine this feeling you know m shabas
the came for shabas
look we it was obvious that the rebba
even though he was in pain obviously but
it was also obvious that he's not going
in the regular route of uh you know just
sitting Shiva and and and and and all
that. I mean, he's doing everything that
says, but I remember when the Reb after
the funeral, the Reb said a very short
in the house. That that was a big sign
of, you know, we're going to go forward
anyway. Then the Reb came for Shabas was
Shabas. So the Reb came for Shab
>> what inse Yeah. It was so it was a mix
between you know sitting Shiva but the
Reb keep going and the things said and
you see I I actually think that the Reb
given a new way in the world of how to
look at morning. You know, I think
people before
um you know, sometimes sometimes I think
about things that sound maybe extreme,
you know, like as if all I'm thinking
about is the and I don't see the world,
but really I'm saying this from the
other perspective. I see it not from the
I see it from reality. And see in
reality especially in Israel but it's
also in America that a lot of times when
people go through lenu go through
passing or even a tragedy you know
people try to navigate the energy right
away into mitas riding
buildings making buildings and names of
people who passed away. I really believe
that that u way of thinking in the world
the Reb brought it down in the the way
the Reb himself spoke right away that
their name was this is how the Reb ended
the first time he spoke when he the day
of the funeral and we came home this is
how we ended the name was
>> so so the whole thing of and the life
you know that that that was uh what the
Reb brought down. Meanwhile, meanwhile,
while it was happening, you know, Moes
Shabas,
the Reb was sitting and, you know, in
his place in a small uh Shiva chair, you
know, and everybody and everybody, I
mean, we didn't go to the house in the
house, but when in 77, you know, but
just the feeling of it that we I'm going
I mean, which what is going on in the
world if we got to that moment? It felt
so so strange, you know, especially also
in light of this much and all that. I
mean, the whole thing was a kind of a
surreal um
but that's what it was, you know.
Mhm.
And then started a whole new with the
Reba being in the house and every in 770
besides Shabas basically moving to the
Reb's house like
>> what's that like?
>> Right. So you know the the dvening with
the Reb is um is something very special
that we had you know in those days uh
once in a while you would get to D mish
in the Reb's house but the rest of the
time you know
most boim weren't able to be there every
day you know but in 770
you um you heard the you know during
time of ding you heard the speakers in
770 so basically you would be there 9:30
30 put on fill and in ding with the reb
was actually pretty uh amazing uh
situation you know and and because of
that also I mean the of the rebining
I pretty much know it from that year you
know otherwise I wouldn't know it so
well but you know hear the three times a
day you know
you hear it the whole year so and also
recommend to people who weren't there. I
mean the the the recordings are there
you know how many
you know ding with the reba once in a
while you know just put it on ding with
the reb it's a pretty amazing thing that
it's even available you know so that
that was like a a highlight of this much
you know dabing with the a whole year uh
was that and um
yeah but in general I I'll be honest and
say I don't want to get too uh too uh
depressed over
But I I will say that what I said before
that it was
I'll tell you something. Um I I don't
come from background. Okay.
You know really I'm I'm being very
honest. You know I didn't I didn't grow
up in
that uh you know uh results in [snorts]
you know
just you don't get the same education
you know. Um
there's certain things you get it's like
somebody who didn't go up from you know
you either you either hear it when
you're three years old about mobu and
if you do hear that three years old this
is you you're a certain kind of a yid
and if not listen some people I mean I'm
married to my wife didn't go up like
this I know this very from a very close
relationship
you know woman everything but there's
something you didn't grow up with. The
same thing you know somebody grew up
with the Reb
like my kids you know like kids who grew
up from from zero from the birth from
the moment of birth they see a picture
of the obviously okay
so that's the good side of it the other
side of it I would say if it's okay for
me to say that uh you know sometimes you
also have like the certain things you
don't think about so I think that in the
years I was in 770 and especially since
this m I'm embarrassed to admit
you know that I was thinking about
worldly uh you know things probably more
than my friends were you know from birth
and definitely tism was was definitely a
big shakeup because you know the rabbits
and passes away what's going on I mean
this is and you know it's just like
brought a lot of bilbull and also also
see again seeing the rebitting Shiva you
know the rebutt
you know a lot of things were different
you know so um not I'm not saying that
this was like uh occupying my mind uh
too much you know was I was there I was
in 770 I was hoping and dinging with
everybody you know and Mashiah any
moment this was the headsp space but
still I mean was definitely
a big uh a big bug in the plan you know
like a big it was not something you can
you can totally avoid. I mean what is
what is this you know so it was it was
not easy you know
>> right was
the other that shared the sentiment or
this was your I've heard this from
others but I don't know if it was common
or this was
>> right so so uh not most people
wouldn't speak about it was one friend
of mine did speak to me about it and he
was actually uh in worse shape than I
was I guess so he was like uh you know
telling me what what do you think I mean
it happened to the son I mean uh what do
you think you know so there were people
mostly but mostly no mostly no you know
it reminds me if we're already there you
know the
you know that's I remember I remember
that
>> dressed
and it was that and it was then it was
then I mean the also
during the Shiva the Reb wrote
during the Shiva the Reba called in Rabi
Krinsky to write organized I mean all
>> right right so so so for example that
you know that nobody
nobody wanted to accept that the Reb
actually said these words so the wasn't
you know the asked and they didn't give
the whole thing right so it was that
that gives
us the kind of the feeling of where
people were holding which was we would
rather not go there you know that was uh
the thinking and which is okay you know
it's not that I wanted to go there I'm
just saying maybe I thought about it
more than others uh for examp I'll I'll
give you an example you know the reb
you know nunal nb I I don't remember to
tell you when it started I'm sure uh
those who are experts in the in the yman
they could pull off this information.
But at some point the Reb started coming
late into Shabas Fabbrang.
It used to be that 1:30 was 1:30,
you know, a minute, two minutes, you
know, but 1:30 is 1:30 and then there
was years
um you know, I remember this, you know,
it's like a quarter to two, 10 to two.
And just the fact that the Reb wasn't
keeping the times the way he did before,
it was unsettling. I think that's a good
word to choose, you know, really. I'm
serious. Like unsettling. It wasn't like
that I was over worried about what's
happening right this minute but it was
just like and since since
that unsettling feeling kicked in I mean
obviously test was very strong tin and
it was amazing year so so the reb was
very very strong you know and the the
the fabbrangians and everything it was
it wasn't
I'm just saying it was lurking some some
were there where before it wasn't even
on the table, you know, wasn't nobody
was like basically going there,
>> right? I mean, the Reb himself said
that um that there it was a different
from was was a newbel. So,
>> right. That's right. That's right.
>> Yeah. [clears throat]
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rest of the podcast. Okay. So there's
there's
so I want to I want to ask you about
for uh those who have been reading the
magazine for the last year and a half
and if you're not make sure to be
subscribed.org
even if even if you don't I'm doing a
little plug over even if you don't read
every issue that this is the magazine
that's
is important for for the household.
Anyhow, [laughter] but I can't resist.
But uh in the in the we have a section
where we write various articles
featuring different things, but we have
one section that's been there from the
beginning. It's called Leban where we we
just go through Yan.
So the last few years it's not a
translation of Yan. We've been
reconstructing it from various human but
we've been doing Allah said there tun
and now we're doing nalif
and one thing that this this theme that
I've been seeing throughout all the
months and it's going into nalif is the
whole idea of the gulf war
>> right
>> and the the the foundational
that the rebba spoke then because about
uh it was in reaction to
the a certain
that was speaking negatively about and
very very strong
then obviously the whole story of the
Gulf War but that you know and then the
Reb said that nothing's going to happen
but it starts with
I mean there was a famous speech given
by that Rashiva talking very negatively
about and the Reb reacted to that very
very strongly so um is that something
that you remember well that uh that
event
>> yes absolutely I'll just tell you you
you plug in the the hair and I could
also say and I'm saying it honestly
since I'm bilingual with Hebrew and
English I really think the hair is like
the best u is publication I love it
because we have great stuff in Hebrew
but just the way it's organized and
written
um it's really um very helpful in giving
the sense of what's going on in 770 so
I'm all in for the plug um
>> okay
>> um yes So I'll tell you the shinon,
[clears throat]
excuse me. Soon obviously
and um and like you said also the the in
the winter there there start speaking
about the
when the Berlin wall fell
which is pretty much um the end of ' 89
in the goia calendar I think November
89. So there they spoke about in a
fabrian that uh you know that uh
Europe is basically
instead of it being in a war in
bloodshed
um it's falling apart peacefully
>> and yeah and uh and about that famous
rashish
you're right you know there was a there
was a speech actually that speech as a
in Hebrew his speech as a Wikipedia
entry
um because he was speaking to that to
totally uh negatively about the
kibbutnikim and all that and uh the reb
responded
and
just the I have a question the the
was in a buildup of of you know the the
the conflict in Kuwait that was part of
the Gulf or that speech or or it wasn't
connected.
>> I don't know. I don't know that this was
in my memory relating u to to the war,
but it happened at the same time, you
know. Um or or before, you know.
>> So, he said that that that he said he
said that whatever he said that
the kibbutnikim are
>> Yeah. They're eating they're eating tra
Yeah. Like basically.
>> Yeah.
And um and we all know how it is in u
in actually actually that I'm going to
talk about it's the
reb lays a certain in how we relate to
other
um because but but I'll tell a little
bit of a personal background for that
and why why
that I'm feeling very connected to
um and that is because in toon I went to
Nepal for PES with two of my friends
um David Bis and Kimboki we were all
boim then obviously and we went um to do
the pesal there was there was a lot of
times people introduced me as the guy
who went for the first time to Nepal but
it's not True. There was a seder in
1989.
Uh Bim came from Australia.
Meny Castell who is in Australia now
also and Meny Lipker from New York and
they were bo in in Australia and they
went on to Katandu. The next we went
from from New York from Meos with Rabbi
Kotlarski and he arranged it. So that
>> I actually I I once spoke to about this
whole story. It was connected to
something you were writing in. So he
gave me a little bit of a rundown of the
background to that
and I believe he mentioned your name
also.
>> Right. Right. Yeah. I uh what happened
was is and that we discovered years
later. We didn't know that back then,
but there were two
um there were Israeli travelers in Nepal
in 88 in Tism in Pesh.
There were already Israelis there and
they went to the embassy and that was
maybe they gave the masses maybe but
that was it you know so that these guys
wrote a letter to the Reb and they wrote
a letter telling the Reb that a lot of
Israelis are in Kathmandu and maybe it's
a good idea to send that letter the Reb
forwarded it to Rabbi Castell from from
Tak in New York
and and and the next year his son Meni
who is basically the source for the
story. This is who I heard it from Rabbi
Mendi Castell. So he called his father
and he told him that they thinking to go
somewhere for Pes to do because the
reason also for that is just another
that there was a of the Reb with the
chief rabbis of Israel in Mev.
I think this was where the Reba
suggested that they should arrange
public saders for all the uh people who
come from Russia.
And so there the Reb pushes for public
saders. It took a few years and the
picked it up and he talked to his
father. His father told him you know
the Reb forwarded to me this letter
about Kathmandu. So then they arranged
this first seder in Katandu. This is how
they got the idea. Then the next year
>> from Australia
>> from Australia.
So then that was
and then the next year Meros was
arranging it and we were sent from New
York. Now, how is [clears throat] this
relating to um to what I'm about to say
is that that
so that shabas is we had we were
scheduled we did fly to Nepal that
shabas
now the really is in response to like
you said from this rabbi what he said in
soil which is it was berating the the
non-religious Jews and the rabbi was
speaking this was very passionate and
also I remember like I told you before I
remember
so here I remember when the Reb said
such a shout gave
and the Reb says over there that that
every Jew today is a is a aid is a is a
testimony that there's a kesh in the
world even if that Jew doesn't do any
mitzvah and so how could how could that
guy or anybody speak against how could
they have the
brought many many over there you know
and he says
is there.
Yeah.
Even if he doesn't do any mitzvah. So
really the Reb responded then to what he
said in Israel.
Um and then and then and then after
after the Reb got up to dance
and the niggan was
the Reba got up and it was an amazing
dance and I remember when when the Reb
got up to dance I was thinking right
away somehow I don't know but just just
what I was thinking that that the dance
is for us you know everybody thinks
about themselves right the dance is for
us because we're going on an amazing I
mean it was crazy I And nowadays we have
kabad houses all over and this and that.
But back then the only kabar house in
the far east was in Hong Kong
was already there but uh you know in
Hong Kong they don't have Israeli
backpackers. So it wasn't really I mean
it's in the Southeast Asia but it's not
the same category. We were going
there was no kabadas in Thailand or in
India or anywhere you know and we were
bahin too which is you know
I don't know if we want to get into it
right now but you know I'm 56 years old
today I'm thinking about it you know
with two three boim 20 years old was
sent for like two and a half weeks to
catmand do I mean we we were there we
did it you know it was amazing so
>> there's a there's a documentary about it
that I watched as a kid.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. There's movies,
there's different things, you know,
there's um you know that I have.
>> It ends off with your wedding.
>> Oh, right. That's right. Listen, I'll
show you something. Let me show you
something here.
I have uh this picture album. Okay, I'll
just show you like uh whatever. I mean
I'm not going to start showing you the
pictures but it's a picture album of uh
you know the first seder we did in Nepal
you know it looks like this something
like that why am I showing it to you
tell an amazing story and then we'll get
back to to the beginning of the story
but we came back from Nepal and we made
this album for the Reb
with a
and got an answer from the Reb the
following words
So we were
so I ran to Rai
and I told him listen for with this
album. He told me
says to fund raise with this album.
>> Yeah, that's what he sent. And so I get
I wanted to give it to Kotlask. He told
me what are you talking about? you you
guys work to the reb it's it's your
answer it's not my answer so and because
from the I I didn't even make the album
worked on this way more than me but the
reason I it's my possession it's in my
possession is because I kept going I
went to Kathmandu for seven years seven
different years and so it's in my um
possession right here and I got a from
the Reb for fundraising I'm not I'm not
really a fundraiser you know but through
the you know, the braha uh
definitely came into uh there's more to
do. There's definitely more to do, but I
could say that I had some uh fundraising
miracles happened to me and I attribute
it to to the reba obviously, but um back
to the Fabrangan
when the Fabran happened, I didn't think
that the
was relating to us particularly. I was
thinking more about the dance, you know,
got up to dance. We were so excited that
we're going to go on for the such a
place as Kathmandu. But years later,
maybe I think 20 years after I was
learning the I was then
and I was just reading the and all of a
sudden it hit me that the whole in
addition to being a counter to whatever
the rabbi said in Israel but in that the
Reb really explains why he's sending us
to Eugene, why he's sending us to
Kathmandu
because you know a lot of people back
then we met people at the airport and we
told people we're going the Reb send us
to Katandu. like why why does the Reb
care that Israelis travel in in in the
Far East? I mean, think about it. It's
not like today.
Back then in 1990,
whoever was in Kathmandu for Pesak,
Israeli or or or Jewish, he wasn't
planning to make a seder. It was not
part of their plan because they were in
the Himalayas for Pes. It's not like
today, you know. So, we arrived there
and all those people. It's not like
today that it's not like today that it's
part of it could be part of their
itinerary,
>> right? But today it's like you you find
out where could you stay next to Kabad
house, you know, you already know that
you're going. So therefore, a lot of
people are traditional. They feel they
could travel and then they could go to
the uh with Kabad, you know, but back
then if you're there, you're not keeping
PES basically. Um
but everybody did come to our I mean I
don't think there was anybody there who
heard about it who didn't come. So that
was that was definitely an amazing
amazing event. But I'm saying in that
when the Reb says um you know
who is he talking about? He's talking
about those guys in Nepal, those
Israelis that even though they're in
Nepal, but he lost, you know. So, so it
took me years to think in my own mind
that the in addition to being whatever
the Reb said about what's going on in
Israel, it was also a very um major uh
explanation of why is it that the Reb
sends to run after those Israelis, you
know. So, and that's the Rebs
that and that and that's something I I I
say this to a lot of people and even
today, you know, in Israel we have all
this politics and it's quite ugly. you
know, the the lefties and the righties
and it's getting not so pretty. But you
know something amazing?
Anybody from those so-called extreme
lefties, try to tell them that they're
not Jewish.
You know, they're going to jump on you
and they're going to say, "I'm not
Jewish. I'm more Jewish than you are."
You know, that's that's how people, in
other words, they could argue with you
about Tel Aviv and Shabas and Kabad and
this and that, but Jewish, of course,
we're Jewish. And really the Reb says in
that a yid who goes around the world
today even if not doing any mit but the
fact that there's a yid you know and
this is not only relating to Israelis I
mean also on campus and in America and
anywhere you meet a yid are you Jewish
yes once he tells you yes we we take it
for granted you know but saying I'm
Jewish is already a connection according
to that you know it's you're basically a
it's an amazing thing.
So yeah, so that definitely is
remembered and the dance afterwards and
then at the at the seder in Nepal I told
everybody that before we left we dance
with the Reb and I told everybody we we
taught everybody the
everybody was you know there was
definitely a big part of it.
Um the the the war the Gulf War by the
way um you know that there was um I was
I was after that I was a little bit in
San Francisco and you know in the Gulf
War at some point there was a by
Goldstein went by the Reb and he asked
the Reb if you should take a migilla the
Reb told him something like by then you
don't you're not going to need it. he
was going to Iraq
said you know something by then you're
not going to need it right so from that
there became some rumor that the Reb
said that the war is going to be over on
Purim and amazingly it was you know so
[laughter]
I remember
>> on Purim itself Purim came in
>> Purim yeah I remember it I was in San
Francisco in the middle of Purim you
know that they said oh the war is over
the president is going to speak soon the
war is over was unbelievable, you know.
>> Yeah. The Gulf War was definitely.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah. Go ahead.
>> No, I just wanted to add one more thing
that I think the Gulf War is like um uh
turning point in soil for sure. you know
when the Reb back then spoke about being
the safest place in the world and uh
this was definitely it's a little bit
similar to what happened in the six day
war because in six day war you know
there was crazy fear in soil and the reb
speaking about soil was very positive
there's going to be miracles in a in a
similar fashion a little bit different
you know in Israel I wasn't in Israel
but my family was and everybody knows
there was a huge scare of chemical
weapons and they gave
gas masks to everybody and the tape the
windows. There was like a whole
procedure going on. Meanwhile, the Reb
is saying Israel is the safest place in
the world and and and and we know that
the war um and a lot of miracles. By the
way, not to veer off, I'm just going to
mention this that I I thought a lot
about it during the the last war we had
right here in Israel. And you know I'm
talking to you from and the war withah
we had sirens every day over here you
know and and a lot of people were scared
obviously a war is not a fun time but
for us of the remembering how the said
Israel is the safest place and remember
the Gulf War he gave us a huge you know
to to know everything is going to be
okay the's words are you know still
there and
is still
you know and
We saw amazing things.
>> Yeah. Right after October 7th,
um obviously on the Bavage, but even
beyond in the F world in general and
maybe beyond that also, a lot of videos
of the Reba were going around because
people want to know they should pull
their kids from out of October 7. People
want to know should they take their kids
home from yeshiva or not send them. A
lot of the's videos were going around,
you know, you have to go, you have to
bring your your your children back. And
I think that was a lot of people way
beyond
those those same videos from from the
Gulf Warf,
>> right? Absolutely.
>> Um, so so Nalif and Nay, you're not in
770.
Well, I was uh in and out. Okay. So,
Tish
uh parts of Tish, you know, base for
sure. I was there for Tish and Nunal.
Excuse me.
You know, I was there um
um for I was there.
I was you know, and I was there in and
out. So some for bringing the I was
there. Depends depends what it is. I
spend a lot of times in Vancouver,
British Columbia. We went on over there
by Rabbi Yi Weinberg and uh and then in
San Francisco. I was spending uh in San
Francisco by Rabbi Langanger of San
Francisco. But but yeah, I was uh
depending what the event is, I was
there.
>> Okay. Okay. So you mentioned
so maybe you want to describe a little
bit I mean
the whole
um and the way the Reb was speaking
about Msiah
um what do you want to say about that?
Yeah, there was there's definitely
um you know
things definitely changed in I I can't
tell you the the exact point of where
the change took place but definitely we
all know and base
um were different than the earlier years
in in in that the Reb spoke mostly about
Msiah you know even even certain
Fabangans even started
You know it's like the never started
like that you know would always be like
we have to start off in
right I mean so it's like the
ecstasy if you want to call it that
was very very strong um it definitely
felt
um as if it's um as we say it any moment
now you know also also it was in the
media you know it wasn't just in 770
like I told you I was in San Francisco
back then and and this was all over the
media I mean there were articles about
it that the says the mash is coming were
speaking on the media about it I
remember even in San Francisco or by
langanger I mean this was like a big
theme and it definitely felt like It's
uh it's any moment now. I mean Niss was
a big shock obviously. I remember I
remember this very well. remember like
when I was speaking and uh I mean the is
recorded it's not a very long anybody I
mean every year I guess everybody
watches it so people know the but if you
if you watch it or listen to it from the
beginning not just from the moments when
it gets really intense but you know it's
the starts like any other
it doesn't you don't feel in the
beginning everybody was standing in 770
you know listening to the
thinking it's like another Tuesday
whatever ever it wasn't
but then you know it just the tone
changed and you know the Reb said things
that are uh were very hard to hear you
know
and you know what else can I do you know
things like that and um
>> everything I've done till now is
>> right I mean that was terrible to hear
those words I mean that was like not uh
easy to swallow you know and um yeah and
it definitely
also created you know in 770 bila
bringing all night and what should we do
and the whole uh you know the whole
mashia
situation basically developed from there
I don't know listen it's uh it's um we
we definitely
um I would say from today's perspective
there's no question that in the rebba's
and the reb's who we got to be on, you
know, any moment now. This is it.
There's no other uh
there's no other thing to think about.
Now, I there was already like I don't
know 35 years, whatever how many years
it is. Okay. So, uh there's no answer
for it. In other words, I don't I don't
feel I don't know what to say about it.
I know I told you the Reb wrote me a
letter personally.
That's it. you know the Reb is 30 years
ago the Reb said Mashiach is you know
imminent then how much more imminent is
it right now and the thing is I got to
say for those who you know it's not easy
to to accept maybe uh what I'm saying
all to everybody at any moment but the
reality is that the world around us is
supporting that because we see I mean at
least I see it in Nazi soil you know 30
years ago when you told people that is
saying mash is coming any minute. Uh I
don't recall everybody being agreeable
to it. I actually recall people not I'm
talking about you know not I'm talking
about the world you know yidden and
people were like um wondering what that
means. Well today you know for sure most
people you talk to they told listen has
to come. There's no other solution.
Mashia has to come. So, so we see that
the message is any moment that go that
any day that goes by that question that
the Reb asked back then
is still here. That question just became
stronger. So, the message is more
relevant. I have a question. How could
it be that 30 years went by and okay,
it's a good question. And I'm not I'm
not uh I also have the the same
question. But the question doesn't uh
make me uh change my mind about it. It
just makes me think even stronger that
it must be that u
you know that Mashiah is coming. But uh
there's definitely you know there's
definitely the the in those years the
the to go excuse [clears throat] me to
go from
nun base to switch to order and then to
gimlamuz
obviously that was a pretty complicated
uh time you know I mean it still is but
back then it was felt even stronger. So,
you know, every generation has its
challenges. I guess on the other hand, I
mean, the Reb also, like I said before,
the Reb did say the
Reb did say the I mean whether we like
it or not, he did say it. So, um
you know, here we are. You know, I think
I think the the the
K is that here we are. And even though
we have a lot of questions and even
though we have situations we are not so
thrilled about, we see that the Reb's
message gets stronger and are here and
here we are sitting and talking about
the Reb. I mean the Reb is definitely
stronger. So
>> So you have you have less questions now
than you did the day after.
>> Um I think so. Yeah, I think I I don't
know. I don't know if less questions
is
the words I would choose to describe the
difference between how I feel now and
back then but I would definitely say and
and and I'm saying also openly and I
told you before I I don't come from
Lubavich so definitely after gimm I felt
it I felt it already after
you know that people who had like a a
family support system or something more
uh personal.
[clears throat] They had their approach,
you know. I I didn't have any I didn't
put any money on the stocks of the
Bavet. You know what I'm saying? I came
from the outside and I came for the Reb.
Didn't care about the Crownites or Mish
or this that I don't want to say names,
but you know what I'm saying? Like I
wasn't part of it. Still not part of it.
Whatever. I can't for the
So if the Reb is gone or seems to be
gone or whatever I want to call it, then
uh okay, got to go. I'm not interested,
you know. So that's how I felt back
then. I felt like, you know, I I I'll
say honestly
I wouldn't dream that Kabad Mubavic
would be so strong so many years after
Gimmel Tamos. you ask me that Gimmel
Thomas I I wouldn't uh I wouldn't put my
money on it really. I I thought it's uh
so yes for sure in in real time back
then I was way more uh disoriented and
depressed and all whatever you want to
call it. Now so many years went by.
Yeah. So the time the time part of it
like I said before I don't have an
explanation. I don't know. I don't the
time we're in I have a big question
mark. How is it possible that the world
is there? Which that's that's a that's a
used many many times that there is no
explanation why did not yet come in
those
would say that all the time.
>> Exactly. So if they ever said it back
then what are we doing in
I don't know I have no idea how to
explain such a thing. It doesn't make
any sense to me. But what I could say is
that I and I do see that since then,
contrary to my own personal assessment,
you know, not to mention other people,
the Reb
>> Yeah. You I say you and and and others.
>> Yeah. Listen, you know, but the Reb is
so much stronger. So many [snorts] more
people in my own family even, you know,
I told you I had with my parents and
everything. My mother told me a while
ago was with my mother. She's telling me
I'm couldn't believe she's telling me
she said you know what Ali all my kids
should beadim not just you talking about
my brothers whom she love you know but
my mother calls me she said you know I
saw an amazing J movie today I want to
share it with you and and my mother was
so angry that I went to Kabad you have
no idea I'm not going to get into it now
and and she probably wouldn't want me to
talk about it but I'm telling you that's
what it was so I see it with my personal
family I see it with people around
people, you know, in shul I go to shul
people who are not are telling me, you
know, the Reb the Reb saw it all. The
Reb is so right. What would the Reb say?
What does what does the Reb say? So when
you see that the Reb is so much more
relevant now than ever before
then you know the cautious about Msiah
we have cautious but but
we see that so many people are drawing
inspiration and from the and it's just
getting so so much stronger that that so
definitely I'm I'm less confused not I'm
still a little bit confused I won't tell
it I'm not but it's definitely less than
how I felt.
right then, you know, for sure. It's a
different world, you know.
>> Okay.
So, uh I think we should uh do uh what
the Reb wants from us
and uh we should actually take care of
all this
and
it should be
Pale mish we won't be any questions.
>> Oh man.
>> Okay.
And um you have a lot of and all of the
that you do in beyond.
>> Amen. Thank you very much.
Thank you.