Shabbos Selichos with the Rebbe

Shabbos Selichos with the Rebbe

This past week, a group of talmidim had the special zechus to spend Shabbos Selichos experiencing a powerful weekend filled with farbrengens and inspiration in New York by the Rebbe.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Rabbi Moshe Aaron Giesinsky for arranging and accompanying the talmidim on this trip, as well as to Rabbi Mendy Volfman for dedicating his time and energy to join the bachurim throughout the journey. 

The Trip to New York

After a meaningful farbrengen Thursday night with Rabbi Ephraim Lerner in honor of Chai Elul, the bachurim rose early Friday morning for Shacharis and set out for New York on the 6.5-hour drive. Rabbi Giesinsky traveled with the bachurim of Shiur Beis to Crown Heights, while Rabbi Volfman took Shiur Aleph to the Ohel for Shabbos.

Shabbos Program

Shabbos was packed with Kedushah and hiskashrus. Friday night the bachurim ate together; Shiur Beis in with Rabbi Giesinsky and Shiur Aleph at the Ohel with Rabbi Volfman. On Shabbos morning, the bachurim gathered to learn Chassidus, delving into a Michtav Klali from 5752.

At 3:30 in the afternoon, Rabbi Giesinsky led a spirited farbrengen at the home of alumnus Chezky Pinson, together with the participation of many alumni. At the same time, Shiur Aleph farbrenged by the Ohel with Rabbi Volfman, accompanied by ample farbaisen and chayus. Rabbi Volfman spoke about the special connection which exists between Hashem and the Yidden throughout the days of Selichos and Rosh Hashanah. 

Motzai Shabbos

Motzai Shabbos brought both shiurim back together, uniting in Crown Heights for an uplifting farbrengen hosted at the home of Efrayim Chien, where Rabbi Giesinsky once again farbrenged in preparation for selichos. Rabbi Giesinsky discussed the sicha of the Rebbe from 5729 in which the Rebbe discussed why you need to go directly from Shabbos to selichos. The Rebbe explains that on Shabbos one is more in touch with your neshama and therefore helps one recite Selichos in the proper manner.

Sunday and Return

On Sunday morning, the bachurim wrote panim and went into the Ohel. Afterwards, they stopped by the Giesinsky home in the Five Towns for pizza. From there, the group made their way back to Pittsburgh.

We would like to give a special thanks to Rabbi Giesinsky for arranging this trip and to Rabbi Volfman for driving and going with the bachurim. We would also like to thank the Pinson, Chein, and Giesinsky families for their warmth and hospitality in hosting throughout the weekend.