“To Listen to Me?”

The Alter Rebbe once opened the window and saw a large crowd assembling, expecting a Farbrengen. He shut the window and wanted to hide. His wife, Rebbetzin Sterna, asked what was the matter. “A large crowd is gathering! What do they want from me? What do I have to offer them?” The Rebbetzin responded, “They want to know what you heard from your Rebbe.” “In that case,” the Alter Rebbe exclaimed, “I will teach them and teach them…”

One might ask: What is the purpose of gathering for a Farbrengen to hear one individual speak for hours on end. Why not utilize the time on one's own for Torah and good deeds?

The above story clarifies: An individual had the unique opportunity to sift all the writings of the Torah scholars of previous generations; he explains their words in his own style to help simplify the concepts. And when one Jew helps another grow spiritually, “G-d enlightens them both” — both speaker and listener are enriched, and bonded through Torah.