The First Year
The tables were set up in the shape of a ‘ Shin ’. The table where the Rebbe was sitting , was located in the south of the room . From it three long tables emerged the length of the Beis Hamedrash .
At 9:45 the Rebbe entered the Beis Hamedrash and sat down at his place . To his right sat Rabbi Efraim Eliezer
Hakohen Yallis and on his left Rabbi Yitzchak Meir
Hakohen Rappaport , the Prager Rav . At the start of the Farbrengen , Reb . Yosef Rabinsohn poured the Mashke and everyone said L ‘ chaim to the Rebbe .
The Rebbe opened the Farbrengen by saying that one must strengthen his Hiskashrus to the Friediker Rebbe , who definitely is with us now , even though a year has passed since the Histalkus . In connection with this the Rebbe instructed everyone to continue saying the Friediker Rebbe ’ s Kapitul (# 71 ) until the 12th of Tammuz . The Rebbe ended by saying that this statement should be publicised everywhere .
About an hour into the Farbrengen , Rabbi Abraham Sender Nemtzov , one of the elder Chassidim ( he was about 80 years old at that time ) stood up and proclaimed , “ The Olam asks the Rebbe to say a Maamar Chassidus . The Sichos are good , but the Olam wants Chassidus . If we find favour in your eyes , then the Rebbe should say Chassidus !” A stillness descended upon the Beis Hamedrash . Everyone waited to see how the Rebbe would react to this request .
Finally , at 10:40 , the Rebbe began the Maamar “ Basi
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To Live & Learn