Excitement Mounts for Grand Yud Tes Kislev Melave Malka

Hundreds of Yidden from across Boro Park will gather this Motzei Shabbos for Heichel Menachem’s 29th annual Melave Malka, for an evening of inspiration and to be strengthened in the learning of the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov and of Chassidus Chabad.

By Anash.org reporter

As Yud Tes Kislev approaches, excitement mounts as Heichel Menachem of Boro Park prepares for its 29th annual Melave Malka. Hundreds of Chassidim from across Boro Park will gather in Ohr Hachaim Viznitz Hall on Motzei Shabbos Parshas Vayeshev, for an evening of inspiration and to be strengthened in the learning of the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov and of Chassidus Chabad.

Since the Melave Malka’s inception in 5757, world-renowned Mashpi’im and Rabbonim from within and outside of Chabad have attended and spoken at the annual event. R’ Yoel Kahn a”h would address the crowd and lead a farbrengen following bentching, that would last deep into the night.

Participants also drew inspiration from R’ Yisroel Friedman, Rav of Bnei Brak R’ Moshe Landau, R’ Yossel Weinberg, R’ Leibel Groner, R’ Binyomin Klein, Klausenberger Dayan R’ Fishel Hershkowitz, R’ Moshe Wolfson, the Margaretener Rav, Mattersdorfer Rav, and R’ Don Yoel Levy z”l; giants in Limud HaChassidus and in Darkei HaChassidus, whose absence is now keenly felt.

Yblch”t, other Rabbanim include, R’ Yosef Heller, Saderheler Rav R’ Chaim Leib Katz, Viener Dayan of Boro Park R’ Tzvi Halpern, R’ Leibel Schapiro, R’ Ezra Schochet, and many others shlit”a.

The annual event attracts between 1,000 and 1,500 people in the neighborhood and focuses on being mechazek participants in the learning of Chassidus for the entire year.

This year, R’ Shlomo Sternberg, menahel of Chovevei Torah, who is emceeing the event, will deliver the opening words, followed by Mashpia R’ Yaakov Leib Altien, author of Chassidus Mevures and director of Heichel Menachem. R’ Fishel Oster, maggid shiur in Heichel Menachem, will also speak. The program will continue with R’ Avraham Yitzchak Wolfson, Rov of Emunas Yisroel in Monsey and son of the late R’ Moshe Wolfson, who would grace the Melave Malka every year. Special guest, Mashpia R’ Fitche Ofen of Yerushalayim, will speak during the Melave Malka and lead a farbrengen following bentching.

One of the highlights of the yearly Melave Malka is a video from the Rebbe’s farbrengen that is specially selected by Heichel Menachem for the event. In the video prepared for this year, the Rebbe addresses the fundamental topics of Emunah and Bitachon.

“There’s something very special in the air,” Rabbi Yisroel Stern told Anash.org. “This night is about being inspired in inyanei Chassidus, and is mechazek people in their learning of Chassidus. People come every year, they don’t want to miss out on this atmosphere.”

As the night winds down, Yidden from many walks of life, link arms and join in dancing, accompanied by niggunim by Yossi Cohen and his Kappelle, filling a thirst and a quest with strengthened resolutions, on this Rosh Hashana of Chassidus.

Since the first Melave Malka was held 29 years ago, the concept has spread across the globe. Today, farbrengens such as this one take place in Eretz Yisroel, Antwerp, London, Monsey, Lakewood, and many other locations.

A live stream of the farbrengen will bez”H be featured on Anash.org.