2 Shiurim: "Connective Speech" and "Why Do We Daven?"

The Rebbe was talking about making the Master of the World a more significant and intrinsic presence in our lives. He said, "We should be talking to the Ribono Shel Olam constantly, about everything. We should be carrying an ongoing discourse with the Ribono Shel Olam."

"All day?" asked one of the chassidim, next to certain of the reply.

The Rebbe, in his inimitable way, didn't let anyone down. "All day!" he answered, with the utmost certainty.

Yahrtzeit: Reb Meir Nosson (Av 15)

On the 15th of Av was the yahrtzeit of Reb Meir Nosson, son of the Divrei Chaim and the father of the first Rebbe of Bobov, Reb Shloime. As we are told, the hashpaos of a yahrtzeit extend for three days so it is still relevant. In my humble opinion, this is not to be missed!

The Rebbe's Havdala (audio)

By popular request, here is a recording of the Rebbe, shlit"a, making Havdala. Starting with G-t Fin Avrohom, Havdala and then the traditional piyut, "Hamavdil", customarily sung every Motzei Shabbos following Havdala. DOWNLOAD

Rebbe Quotes: Shabbos

"On Shabbos, [you are] immortal!"

15th of Av - A Time to Start Building

This morning after davening the Rebbe, shlit"a, spoke about the 15th of Av, one of the happiest days in the year. The Mishna (Taanis 26b) tells how the young girls of Yerushalayim would go out to the vineyards and eligible young men would meet them there in hopes of finding prospective brides. The girls would say, “Young man, lift up your eyes and see what you choose for yourself. Do not set your eyes on beauty but set your eyes on [good] family. ‘Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that fears the Lord, she shall be praised'.

Three Brothers About Their Father

This past week I wrote up some anecdotes and teachings of the Rebbe Reb Yaakov Yisroel, zy"a, instead of Drops of Rain. This short compilation received glowing haskama from the Rebbe, shlit"a. It includes some of the posts from last week, along with selections from what Reb Sheya, Reb Aharon and the Rebbe said at last year's "Azkarah". It is available HERE as a PDF.

From One Room To Another

Reb Yaakov Yisroel, ztz"l, told the Rebbe, shlit”a, that one morning when he woke up and while still laying in bed, he saw, standing in front of the bed, his father [Reb Leibele], the Zeide, Reb Motele and another man, whom he did not recognize. They just stood there. Finally, [Reb Leibele] said, “Don’t worry. It will be like going from one room to the next.” With that they faded away.

Reb Yaakov Yisroel said that at that time he did not yet know he was sick but was convinced that his time was approaching. Shortly thereafter he became ill, went to the hospital, and that’s when he was diagnosed with the liver cancer that ultimately brought him to Gan Eden.

The Rebbe concluded, “Divrei emes nikarin.” True words are recognizable as such.

(Thanks to Ely Weisz for pointing out some missing details to this story.)

Motzei Tisha B'Av Yahrtzeit Seudah in Yerushalayim

As every year, the einiklech and chevra in Eretz Yisroel got together at Reb Mordechai's house to make a seudah for the Rebbe Reb Yaakov Yisroel's yahrtzeit. Yankel (Reb Bentzion's) made a siyum on Bava Kama by the seudah.
Eliezer Kwass spoke about his and other Milwaukeans' connection with the Rebbe, ztz"l, and Twerski family.

Yud Menachem Av 5771 Highlights (with pictures and audio)

Last night, the Rebbe davened Maariv from the amud. He broke his fast at the home of his son, Rav Bentzion, with a fleishigeh seduah at which the Rebbe made a siyum on Masechtas Rosh Hashanah (l'ilui nishmas his father, ztz"l). Afterward the Rebbe sang Reb Sheya's "A Freilichen Tisha B'Av" and his own Lev Tahor.

Baruch Menachem Tzion

This nigun was composed by the Rebbe, shlit"a, the words written by Reb Sheya, shlit"a. The clip below was recorded on Motzei Tisha B'Av, 5765.

DOWNLOAD approx. 6 minutes, <1 MB

A Freilichen Tisha B'Av!

Here are two recordings of "A Freilichen Tisha B'Av", composed by Reb Sheya (Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, M.D.). There is no music - just singing - but you may want to wait till after Tisha B'Av to listen anyways.

The Rebbe, shlit"a, singing: DOWNLOAD 6.5 min., 6.21 MB 

Reb Sheya, shlit"a, singing: DOWNLOAD 4 .5 min., <1 MB

Medrash Shiur for 9th of Av 5771

Here is last week's Medrash Shiur (from 08/03), the day recording.
Thanks to Aryeh Leib Devorkin for sending the recording while I was out of town.

39 minutes, 17.7 MB

PLAY or DOWNLOAD

The Rebbe's Eicha

In lieu of a more current recording, here is the Rebbe, shlit"a, reading Eicha in 5765. At about 24 minutes on the time index, the Rebbe is saying the pesukim in the third perek that begin with "kuf" - "Koli shamatah, al taalem aznecha..."

DOWNLOAD "THE REBBE'S EICHA" (42 minutes, 9.8 MB)

Bobover Rebbe's Kinah

As in many kehillos, after we say all the kinnos, the Rebbe, shlit"a, says the Bobover Rebbe's kinah for the Holocaust.

From 5766:

PLAY or DOWNLOAD

From this year (5771):

PLAY or DOWNLOAD

The kinah sung to an appropriate Tisha B'Av Nigun from Bobov:

PLAY or DOWNLOAD

Send a Kvittel to Reb Yaakov Yisroel, zy"a

Anyone who wants to send a kvittel (written petition for a tzadik to daven on one's behalf) to the kever of the Rebbe Reb Yaakov Yisroel on his yahrtzeit (or any other time) may email his name and the name of his mother, along with the same for his spouse and names of his children, and include a short written request. This should all be done in Hebrew if possible, but any language is acceptable. If you wish to include a pidyon (monetary donation customarily given with a kvittel) for tzedaka, please indicate that desire in your email. Kvittelach are never turned away because of lack of funds!

זכותו יגן עלינו ועל כל ישראל אמן

May the merit of the tzadik protect us and all of Klal Yisroel!