Ohel Chana in Melbourne Visited by Special Guests

We have been privileged recently in our Program, Ohel Chana in Melbourne, to have two senior Shluchim visit our shores and spend an evening farbrenging with us Seminary students. Baruch Hashem we have been greatly inspired by them and look forward to putting all this in practice as we finish our most inspiring and unbelievable year in Ohel Chana!

In honor of Beis Iyar we were privileged to have R’ Mendel Lipsker (head Shliach in South Africa) farbreng with us. R’ Lipsker opened with the idea of Lechatchilla Ariber- going beyond our limitations. He explained the meaning in relation to us; to fight any obstacles we may face with determination and agility. For Hashem however, the idea of Lechatchilla Ariber involves Him making Himself smaller, so to speak. If G-d were to act in His natural way, and allow the world to be filled with His light, the world would cease to exist. Creations would be unable to bear the intensity and would be nullified to Him. However, Hashem constantly acts in an unnatural way, recreating the world and condensing His light to allow for creations to survive.

Towards the end of the farbrengen Rabbi Lipsker discussed the Rebbe’s view on certain scientific ideas. He posed the challenge “Why does it matter if one believes a theory for creation other than the Torah’s version?” In answer to this he explained that by believing Hashem is the Creator, by extension we acknowledge that He governs the world and is the source for everything in it. Thus we have a source for moral behavior. If however, one believes a theory for creation which holds that the world came into being due to a random interaction of atoms, moral code stems from nowhere. The strongest person or group establishes “morals” which everyone follows until a stronger party creates new rules.

Rabbi Lipsker also encouraged us to work to determine our personal goal, something that we alone have the power to achieve. Not only should we learn, but we should translate our learning into positive action. He quoted the Hayom Yom of Alef Iyar- we should ensure that tomorrow be better than today.

“Chap Arein!” This was the everlasting message Rabbi AL Ceitlin of Tzefas imparted to us on the night of 7th Iyar. Learning in seminary is such an important period in one’s life, and sadly Ohel Chana 5771 finishes in a short time. Rabbi Ceitlin inspiringly awakened within us the awareness that we must take advantage of these next few weeks, to make our time here in Melbourne unforgettable!

The atmosphere was very exciting when Rabbi Ceitlin walked in to speak with us, as we were well aware of how motivating he is. After Rabbi Tenenbaum’s introduction, Rabbi Ceitlin began telling us the importance of a chassidishe farbrengin. Its’ purpose is to remind you of your goal and uplift you to change/improve for the better. He described how a farbrengin is the STRONGEST “weapon” against one’s yetzer harah, the atmosphere uniquely special.

He taught us that during the period between Pesach and Shavous it is customary to learn Pirkei Avos, which the Rebbe calls Tikun Hanefesh, as our Sages pave the way for how one ought to behave and took many lesson from the Rebbe’s Biurim on Pirkei Avos..

Rabbi Ceitlin then explained how the month of Iyar is unique as it is the only month in the calendar that has a special Mitzvah every single day, the counting of the Omer. Again, this Mitzvah teaches us the importance of time, as we count down the days until Shavuos, the day we receive the Torah. For us, he likened the counting of the 7 weeks of the Omer, to our final 6 weeks here in Ohel Chana, (not that we are counting down of course!) but to really utilize our time.

Rabbi Ceitlin recounted stories of when he was a young shliach here in MelbourneAustralia. He was sent directly from the Rebbe and really helped the early community here grow. He left perhaps the most inspiring story, which took place in Lebanon during a war, for the end. The Rebbe had directed him and a few others to print Tanyas in Lebanon. This task was extremely difficult as it was the middle of war and they couldn’t gain a permit to enter Lebanon. Every night that they failed to print Tanyas, the Rebbe would call up asking what the delay was. Until one night in the early morning, Rabbi Ceitlin drove to the Israeli army base alone and miraculously made himself a meeting with the general in charge of the war. That very night he was handed a permit, and later was able to print 50 seforim of Tanya. His amazing stories of working for the Rebbe exemplifies that through Shlichus, the world is ours to conquer!