Two Hundred War Orphans and Widows From ‘Swords of Iron’ War Pray at the Rebbe’s Ohel

The climax of the widows-and-orphans journey currently taking place in the United States as each person stood gathered in their own thoughts and sincere prayer, eyes shining with tears of awe and emotion before the holy presence, in the Ohel of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

A reception was held beforehand in an adjacent tent, organized at the initiative of the Chief Rabbi of Russia, the Gaon Rabbi Berel Lazar, may he be granted strength, where the charity organization “Menucha & Simcha,” under the leadership of Rabbi Mendy Konig, came to him and he was moved by the idea of bringing the widows and orphans for an elaborate journey in the U.S., led by prayer in the Rebbe’s tent, to strengthen and uplift their spirits and souls after the great upheaval that struck their family when the family’s father, may God avenge his blood, was murdered by wicked perpetrators two and a half years ago, beginning on Simchat Torah.

The event — which included a lavish dinner and a special farbrengen that continued for a long time — was chaired by the organization’s friend and emissary, Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Filmer, who organized the event at the Chief Rabbi’s request and invited the first speaker to be the emissary in Bangkok, Thailand, Rabbi Nechemia Wilhelm, who strengthened those gathered with words of faith and trust and shared with them several stories of his mission in his country.

The main address was delivered by the Chief Rabbi of Russia, may he be granted strength, for a long hour. Afterwards the public stood for private counsel and to receive a personal blessing — with this preparation, the prayer in the tent was moving and elevated, and late at night they boarded organized buses to continue their journey.

Photo: Daniel Nefosi and Shneor Schiff, COL