The Ohel: Background

During our long journey through history, the holy resting places of our righteous forebears have served as spiritual oases in times both joyuos and sad. These gravesites, such as Mother Rachel's and King David's, referred to in the Bible and Talmud, have provided solace to millions.

During the Rebbe's lifetime, especially in his later years, he would frequent the gravesite of his father-in-law, the sixth Rebbe, Rabbi Joseph Isaac Schneersohn, two, three, even four times a week, bringing people's troubles, joys and prayer-requests of all sorts to the holy resting place. The Rebbe would painstakingly read thousands of notes, then tear and leave them at the grave.

Now chassidim, Jews and non-Jews from all walks of life come from around the world to the Rebbe's gravesite for blessing, meditation and spiritual guidance.

There are numerous observances related to visiting the Rebbe's resting place, such as refraining from food (though not drink) before the visit, removing leather shoes before entering the Ohel (as did Moses before nearing the burning bush), and more.

But, most importantly, one goes not to the Rebbe without the minimal preparation of charity giving, Torah study and some degree of spiritual stock-taking.

"The righteous are greater in death than during their lifetime," say our Sages. Commentaries explain that while freed from their physical limitations they are able to be even more unconstrained in their concern for us left down below.

As in the Rebbe's lifetime, stories abound of miraculous reprieve resulting from a gravesite visit. This should come as no surprise as we recognize the Rebbe's life-span as a continuum of spirituality and holiness. While on this earth the Rebbe related to G-d on higher plains, our Sages tell us that after leaving the physical constraints this only intensifies.

But as during his lifetime, praying in the Rebbe's presence has not only a salutary, redemptive effect, but motivates and charges one to continue, indeed to strengthen, one's thought, speech and actions in the realm of goodness and kindness.

In fact, again as in the Rebbe's lifetime, many carefully observe the custom of adding a resolution to enhance one's mitzvah observance to a letter one writes to the Rebbe; these are the "conduits" through which G-d's blessings can flow.

The visceral experience at the Rebbe's grave site, has the potential to fuse the supplicant and the Rebbe together in spirit, in an experience of unmitigated truth. One stands before the Rebbe sensitized and uplifted to examine one's relationship with G-d and purpose on earth.

One prays for the spiritual and physical wellbeing of one's own self, one's loved ones and the entire Jewish People.

Many who remember the Rebbe go not only to pray, but to re-experience, relive the moments of spiritual elevation one had in the Rebbe's presence in his lifetime.

One cannot help but be affected, be charged with a renewed, uplifted spirit, a deep sense of renewal.