Shabbos with the Rebbe

After kabolas Shabbos and maariv, we returned to Mendel Shemtov‘s home for kiddush and the meal. Avrohom Shemtov was there and also his sister Freidel - who is living there - and her fiancé, Nachman Sudak.

On Shabbos day, we bentched Rosh Chodesh Shevat. As is the Lubavitch custom on Shabbos Mevorchim, the whole book of Tehillim was recited before shacharis. The Rebbe came into the shul around 8: 30 for Tehillim, after which there was a small break in order to prepare for shacharis, which commenced at 10: 30.

Rabbi Gurary, the Rebbe‘s brother-in-law, had the third aliyah – which I was to learn was his usual one, and the Rebbe had his usual aliyah - maftir and haftorah. I was honored with an aliyah, too - chamishi.

The shul was - if at all possible - even more crowded than previously. I reckon about 200 people were present. Again, there was no talking during the service, not even during the layning. Whilst the Rebbe recited the haftorah, one could have heard a pin being dropped.