י׳ אב ה׳תשפ״ו | July 24, 2026
Make L’chaim on Coca Cola
When a young Yemenite bochur told the Rebbe he disliked mashke, the Rebbe asked him what drink he liked. The boy answered Coca-Cola, and the Rebbe instructed him to recite lchaim on that, and even offered him money to buy it.
Illustration photo 28 Elul 5744 (the bottle in this photo contained homemade wine)
R’ Shaul Jubani related:
One day during my kevutza year of 5736, we were notified that we would enter yechidus with the Rebbe. Filled with excitement, I walked in and recited Shehecheyanu slowly, with my Yemenite pronunciation and tune. The Rebbe smiled and answered “Amen” loudly.
“You are from the Yemenite bochurim from Lod?” the Rebbe asked, still smiling. Throughout the yechidus, the Rebbe smiled often and encouraged me to speak freely.
I had written in my note that I did not feel comfortable at yeshiva farbrengens, since I didn’t like mashke and felt pressured by others to drink.
“What drink do you like?” the Rebbe asked gently.
“Coca Cola Taam Hachaim (the taste of life)!” I responded innocently, quoting their popular slogan.
The Rebbe laughed heartily and said, “Say l’chaim over Coca-Cola, and don’t get upset by what they tell you. If someone tells you to say l’chaim over mashke, tell them, in my name, that I told you to say l’chaim over Coca-Cola.”
The Rebbe then opened his drawer and offered me several dollar bills. “You are a bochur in yeshiva and have no money to buy Coca-Cola.”
COMMENTS
In the FIRST Sicha of 5 Sivan 5739 (about minute 20:25 and on) the Rebbe says to the children to say lchaim on “SODA”
BH today, soda is not a treat, it’s a poisonous, overly used drink that is addictive more than it is enjoyed.
Kids like juices and smoothies.
Let’s make that the new lchaim drink.