The First Year
The tables were set up in the shape of a‘ Shin’. The table where the Rebbe was sitting, was located in the south of the room. From it three long tables emerged the length of the Beis Hamedrash.
At 9:45 the Rebbe entered the Beis Hamedrash and sat down at his place. To his right sat Rabbi Efraim Eliezer
Hakohen Yallis and on his left Rabbi Yitzchak Meir
Hakohen Rappaport, the Prager Rav. At the start of the Farbrengen, Reb. Yosef Rabinsohn poured the Mashke and everyone said L‘ chaim to the Rebbe.
The Rebbe opened the Farbrengen by saying that one must strengthen his Hiskashrus to the Friediker Rebbe, who definitely is with us now, even though a year has passed since the Histalkus. In connection with this the Rebbe instructed everyone to continue saying the Friediker Rebbe’ s Kapitul(# 71) until the 12th of Tammuz. The Rebbe ended by saying that this statement should be publicised everywhere.
About an hour into the Farbrengen, Rabbi Abraham Sender Nemtzov, one of the elder Chassidim( he was about 80 years old at that time) stood up and proclaimed,“ The Olam asks the Rebbe to say a Maamar Chassidus. The Sichos are good, but the Olam wants Chassidus. If we find favour in your eyes, then the Rebbe should say Chassidus!” A stillness descended upon the Beis Hamedrash. Everyone waited to see how the Rebbe would react to this request.
Finally, at 10:40, the Rebbe began the Maamar“ Basi
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To Live & Learn