The First Year
SHEVAT 5710
SHABBOS, YUD SHEVAT:
At approximately 7:15 in the morning, the Friediker Rebbe requested that he should be brought into the room where he accepts Yechidus. The Friediker Rebbe waited for a few minutes, lifted up his holy eyes, gazed at the entire room as if searching for something. He then asked to be returned to his room.
The Friediker Rebbe lay on his bed for a while. At 7:40 he felt ill. The Friediker Rebbe’ s family and Dr. Zeligson were immediately called. The doctor arrived at 8:00 and found the Friediker Rebbe in a critical condition. As Dr. Zeligson attended to the Friediker Rebbe, there was an urgent request that they should call the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin. Sholom Dovber Eichorn ran to the Rebbe’ s house. When the Rebbetzin opened the door he realized immediately that the Rebbetzin was already aware of the situation.
The Bochurim began saying Tehillim. Other doctors with medical equipment arrived and tried unsuccessfully to stabilize the situation. Suddenly the door to the elevator opened and the doctors left with their equipment in hand.“ What’ s the situation?” one Bochur asked.“ Gone!” was the bleak reply. The Bochur couldn’ t believe what he had heard and asked again. This time there was no reply. The Bochur relayed the sad news to the Tmimim near him.
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To Live & Learn