A moment of alarm unfolded at the grand 45th Worldwide Siyum HaRambam, held with the participation of thousands of Yidden, when the Sanz-Klausenberg Rebbe of Borough Park, Harav Shmuel Dovid Halberstam, suddenly collapsed during his address.

The Rebbe, son of the late Sanz-Klausenberg Rebbe, Harav Yekusiel Yehudah Halberstam zt”l, was welcomed with great honor upon his arrival at the historic triple Siyum HaRambam. Master of ceremonies Rabbi Velvel Butman noted that at the very first Siyum HaRambam in 5745, the Sanz-Klausenberg Rebbe represented his saintly father and addressed the Siyum.

Having personally completed the entire Rambam, the Rebbe was honored to conduct the official Siyum. He spoke for approximately 25 minutes with intensity and passion, delivering divrei Torah in pilpul and aggadah with a powerful voice.

During the drasha, as the Rebbe spoke with deep emotion about the unbelievable dedication of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who with tremendous mesirus nefesh cared for every single Jew around the world, he began to feel unwell and shortly thereafter collapsed in front of the assembled crowd, causing great shock and panic among the thousands in attendance. Hatzalah was immediately alerted and rushed to the scene.

After several tense minutes, Hatzalah succeeded in stabilizing the situation, and the Rebbe gradually regained his strength. He then reappeared on stage to honor the gathering, to the great relief and joy of the thousands present, as the chairman publicly wished the Rebbe a refuah sheleimah on behalf of all in attendance.

The Sanz-Klausenberg Rebbe requested that the Siyum continue as planned and asked that his condition not disturb the continuation of the event.

Following several additional addresses and uplifting niggunim led by singer Avraham Fried, the Sanz-Klausenberg Rebbe asked to complete his remarks. Speaking from his seat on the stage, he first took the opportunity to “apologize” to the crowd, asking in both Yiddish and English that what had occurred not dampen the tremendous simcha appropriate for the Siyum HaRambam.

His gabbai shared with the organizers that due to his weakness, the Sanz-Klausenberg Rebbe does not speak at public events.

“The last time the Rebbe spoke publicly was nine years ago,” the gabbai related. “A similar incident occurred then, and it was decided that he would no longer speak in public. Tonight, he gathered special strength in honor of the Lubavitcher Rebbe to speak at the Siyum.”

Photo/Video Credit: Avrohom Gordon, Other

VIDEO

The Sanz-Klausenberg Rebbe at the first International Siyum Harambam: