More than 50,000 people from around the world visited the Ohel in Queens, N.Y., the resting place of the Lubavitcher Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory—in honor of the 24th anniversary of his passing on the third day of the Hebrew month of Tammuz (Gimmel Tammuz), which this year corresponded to Saturday, June 16.
On Friday morning, the “pan klali” letter, which was signed by many Chassidim, was read at the Ohel by Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, director of Lubavitch of Philadelphia and chairman of the executive committee of Agudas Chassidei Chabad, the umbrella organization of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement.
Gimmel Tammuz is a day traditionally used for reflection, learning, prayer, and above all, positive action. Jewish communities everywhere honor the Rebbe’s life and legacy with events that bring people together for farbrengens, to hear guest speakers from near and far, and to study the Rebbe’s teachings. Men, women and children waited wait patiently on line last week, as well as on Saturday night and Sunday at the Ohel in Queens, N.Y., the resting place of the Rebbe. Throughout the year, hundreds of thousands of people gather at the Rebbe’s Ohel. They come at all times of the day and night from throughout the world, and represent different religious backgrounds, affiliations and groups. In addition to petitions for blessing written at the site, millions of letters from around the world are sent via email, fax and to be delivered in person for the Rebbe’s guidance and intervention On High, in the age-old tradition of written prayer petitions at our holiest sites.
Send a letter to the Ohel online.
Photos by Bentzi Sasson
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