‘Shabbos Anash’ Ended on a High with Melava Malka and 770 Tour

After an uplifting Shabbos at the Ohel, participants of Shabbos Anash headed to Crown Heights for a special Motzoei Shabbos program, including a visit to the Rebbe’s house, a tour of 770 by Rabbi Yossel Katzman and an inspiring Melava Malka with Rabbi Shlomo Zarchi.

By Anash.org reporter

At the conclusion of an uplifting Shabbos at the Ohel, participants of Shabbos Anash headed to Crown Heights for a special Motzoei Shabbos program.

The Shabbos farbrengen extended well past tzeis, but as the group had a busy schedule planned in Crown Heights, they had to bring it to a close. Before departing, they took a group photo, stocked up on Derher magazines and some snacks for the trip, and boarded the buses to Crown Heights.

Their first stop was the Rebbe’s house, where they were warmly welcomed by R’ Mendy Krinsky, who provided them with a short, but insightful tour. From there, they continued to 770, where they first studied a sicha together and were then treated to an engaging and informative tour led by Rabbi Yossel Katzman.

Throughout the tour, Rabbi Katzman shared personal memories that brought the history of 770 to life. He recalled that as a child, the small hallway leading to the old furnace was always filled with coats, creating a warm and comfortable spot where he and his friends would rest during long farbrengens at night.

He also mentioned that while the Frierdiker Rebbe had his seat in the Zal, the Rebbe never stood in that spot out of respect. Instead, the Rebbe had his own place but always emphasized that the Zal belonged to the bochurim, and didn’t want there to be concerns about occupying his seat. The tour could have continued indefinitely, but with time running short, the group moved on to a beautifully arranged Melave Malka. 

R’ Moshe Rubashkin generously hosted the Melave Malka, thoughtfully arranging every detail, from delicious hot soup to a full spread, while the crowd enjoyed a fascinating farbrengen with R’ Shlomo Zarchi.

Rabbi Zarchi shared many personal recollections from the early years, including details about the farbrengen of Purim 5718. He related how the Rebbetzin had told someone that the Rebbe had already said ten l’chaims before the farbrengen had even officially begun.

Another more famous story shared was about Rabbi Yochanan Gordon, who once mentioned to the Rebbe that the ‘shalash’ area was ‘kalt un shmutzig’ – cold and dirty and was therefore perhaps unfit for a farbrengen. The Rebbe spoke at the farbrengen about how is it possible that after an entire month of Tishrei, one could still feel ‘cold and dirty’.

As the night wound down, those living nearby returned home while the rest made their way back to the Ohel, departing the next day. Participants left the Shabbos feeling deeply inspired, with many taking on new hachlatos as a result of the powerful experience.