CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — The last day of Passover (“Acharon Shel Pesach”) is particularly associated with Moshiach and the future redemption. The Baal Shem Tov instituted the custom of partaking of a “Seudas Moshiach” (Moshiachs Meal) on the afternoon of the last day of Passover; in addition to the Matzah eaten at “ Seudas Moshiach”, the Rebbes of Chabad added the custom of drinking four cups of wine, as in the Seder held on Passover’s first days.
Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Eizik Hodakov was born in 1902 and passed away in 1993 * Was the Rebbe’s chief secretary for more than 40 years * Became principal of a Jewish school in Latvia at the age of 18 * Was appointed the head of Jewish education for the Latvian Ministry of Education in 1934 * Accompanied the Previous Rebbe on his boat trip to America in 1940 * Appointed director of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch in 1942 * Appointed head secretary of the Rebbe upon his assumption of leadership in 1951 * Remained the Rebbe’s most trustworthy confidant until his passing in 1993.
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