THE REBBE CONSOLES RASHAG

The room was packed with bachurim and some men, and it was difficult to see the Rebbe. It was warm and very crowded. I stood on tiptoe but heard the Rebbe and saw him from the side. The Rebbe sat on a simple chair, leaning slightly on the desk near him. The Rebbe spoke about Resurrection of the Dead and other things. Rashag asked questions and the Rebbe answered and explained. I could only ask myself – how had I merited this? * Fascinating reports and memories from the month of Adar 5734 with the Rebbe, published for the very first time from the diary of the late R’ Saadya Maatuf.

Click to read more ...

THE FIRST YECHIDUS

In this installment of his diary, the late R’ Saadya Maatuf shares very openly about his first yechidus, and about the preparations that he made over a period of a few weeks leading up to that momentous occasion. * Fascinating reports and memories from the month of Shvat 5734 with the Rebbe, published for the very first time from the diary of the late R’ Saadya Maatuf.

Click to read more ...

A WARM WINTER TEIVES WITH THE REBBE

The weather in the month of Teives 5734 was unusually cold, but inside 770 there was a fiery flame of Chassidus and hiskashrus. * What happened when the author of the diary went outside in the snowy street, and how did the Rebbe react to the suggestion of walking in the gutter because the snow on the sidewalk had turned to dangerous ice? Why did the Rebbe ask for a translator to be present at the yechidus with the Brazilian businessman, and why did the Rebbe advise him to stay in business? Who did the Rebbe tell to buy gifts for his wife and children, and how did the Rebbe come to contribute to the costs of the plane ticket? * Fascinating reports and memories from the month of Teives 5734 with the Rebbe, published for the very first time from the diary of the late R’ Saadia Maatuf.

Click to read more ...

CHANUKA ALIGHT WITH THE REBBE

The Rebbe looked at the menora from time to time, and when they sang HaNeiros Halalu… The Rebbe said the words one time, but did not repeat the words that are repeated to fit the tune. At times the Rebbe’s lips were moving and he tapped his feet to the beat, looking back and forth from the menora to the people. At the conclusion of the singing, the Rebbe nodded with his head and they continued singing a bit, until the Rebbe turned around and they stopped immediately. * Fascinating reports and memories from the month of Kislev 5734 with the Rebbe, published for the very first time from the diary of the late R’ Saadya Maatuf

Click to read more ...

IN THE SHADOW OF WAR

Many events took place in 770 related to the Yom Kippur War, even after the ceasefire went into effect. * During that time, the Rebbe began to speak openly about the war, “and spoke in sharp tones against the ceasefire.” * Fascinating reports and memories from the month of Cheshvan 5734 with the Rebbe, published for the very first time from the diary of the late R’ Saadya Maatuf.

Click to read more ...

THE REBBE SAYS TO CONQUER DAMASCUS!

Many awesome and inspiring events transpired during the days of Sukkos and Simchas Torah 5734, some of them related to the Yom Kippur War which was then at its height. * The French guests were granted special attention throughout the holiday, and especially on Simchas Torah. * Fascinating reports and memories from the “Days of our Joy” 5734 with the Rebbe, published for the very first time from the diary of the late R’ Saadia Maatuf

Click to read more ...

THE REBBE ALREADY KNOWS

At the beginning of the davening on Yom Kippur, somebody approached R’ Groner and asked him if the Rebbe already knows what is going on in Eretz Yisroel, between Israel and Egypt and Syria [the outbreak of the Yom Kippur war]. R’ Groner answered that the Rebbe already knows. From where does the Rebbe know? That is something that we do not know. * Fascinating reports and memories from the “Days of Awe” 5734 with the Rebbe, published for the very first time from the diary of the late R’ Saadia Maatuf.

Click to read more ...

THE FEELING OF TISHREI IS IN THE AIR

When the Rebbe was getting ready to leave 770, R’ Zushe Partisan and all of the guests who had just arrived in 770 stood at the ready. When the Rebbe exited to go to his house, R’ Zushe began to sing “Yifrach B’yamav,” and the Rebbe encouraged the singing with his hands. Once again, there is the feeling that Tishrei has already begun, as more and more guests arrive from all the corners of the globe. * Fascinating reports and memories from Elul 5733 with the Rebbe, published for the very first time from the diary of the late R’ Saadya Maatuf

Click to read more ...

KOS SHEL BRACHA IN THE MONTH OF AV

Menachem Av 5733: Once again we get a glimpse into the events of the month in 770, from the diary of R’ Saadya Maatuf a”h. * We read about the surprise distribution of Kos shel Bracha for children only and the distribution of coins for tz’daka for the children, as well as the fascinating descriptions of Tisha B’Av and the yahrtzait of the Rebbe’s father on 20 Av. * Fascinating reports and memories from Av 5733 with the Rebbe, published for the very first time from the diary of the late R’ Saadya Maatuf.

Click to read more ...