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GIMMEL TAMUZ with the REBBE

By Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht

Gimmel Tamuz the 3^rd day of Tamuz (July 9^th) Rebbetzin Freida together with our children Rochel and Boruch Sholom, arrived at the old Montefiore cemetery, where the Rebbe's OHEL (resting place) is located within the Cambria Heights neighborhood of Queens, NY.

By my estimation, there were at least, hundreds of people of all backgrounds and ages, queued along the sidewalk, extending for a quarter mile, many reciting TEHILLIM (Psalms) and studying TORAH while waiting to enter the OHEL, to place a handwritten (Pidyon Nefesh) request at the Rebbe's resting place.

In addition to our personal requests for blessings both spiritual and material, we included requests for Israel and our community of Westport, Weston, Wilton, Norwalk, Rowayton and for the worldwide Jewish community and world at large.

The OHEL is known to be a portal to Heaven, a place that connects the visitor with the indwelling of holiness like the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

At the OHEL, time and place are transcended, and body and soul experience a fusion of sorts, into a holistic oneness and unity with our Creator in Heaven, inspired by the presence of the REBBE.

On this day GIMMEL TAMUZ, the 30^th YAHRZEIT anniversary of the TZADDIK and foremost Jewish leader of our generation, tens of thousands of people gathered from far and near, to be with the inspiration and living legacy of the REBBE.

The REBBE entrusted everyone to do all they can to help bring redemption to the entire world, by living now, in the present tense, as is MOSHIACH is arriving at any moment.

Through the observance of a MITZVAH, an action or good deed, we effect a change in the entire cosmos, from GOLA (exile) to GEULA (redemption). In the Hebrew, the difference between the two words is the letter ALEPH. By inserting the letter ALEPH that represents ALUFO SHEL OLOM the Master of the World (G-D) we bring the redemption of humankind.

The heat of the day being in the mid-nineties Fahrenheit, was no obstacle to the many waiting for hours (our wait was three hours plus) to be with the REBBE and to derive strength, and clarity of purpose of our existence, as we are inspired and motivated to bring our world to a better place, a world at peace with the knowledge of G-D, a world redeemed with the arrival of the MOSHIACH and the building of the third and eternal Beit HaMikdosh, in the holy City of Jerusalem.