REPORTING TO THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF IN 770

Among the thousands of guests from around the world who came to spend Tishrei with the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach, there is a group that stands out, a group of children in Camp Machane Moshiach.

Every year, the Tzivos Hashem youth movement in Eretz Yisroel arranges a special camp for soldiers who get to spend Yom Tov with the Rebbe. Between breakfast and a shiur on Moshiach and Geula, Yisroelik Fried spent some time talking to the soldiers and interviewing them.

Participants: Menny Sasson, Beitar Ilit; Shneur Axelrod, Atlit; Shneur Zalman Rachamim, Petach Tikva; Yosef Yitzchok Gian, Yerushalayim.

How did you feel the moment you realized that this Tishrei you were not going to be home, like every other year, but would be with the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach?

Menny: I was excited. That same day, I called my counselors from camp and told them about it. I asked them to send me material and sichos of the Rebbe so I could prepare for the trip and spend my time with the Rebbe in the best possible way.

Shneur: Even after I already knew that I was going to fly to the Rebbe, there were so many obstacles that nearly prevented me from going. But the moment they all fell away, I felt that the Rebbe wants me to be with him.

Shneur Zalman: The moment I heard that this year my parents decided to include me with my older brothers who were going to the Rebbe, I was thrilled. I was excited that I was also going to be with the Rebbe. I told all my friends and began getting ready for the trip.

Yosef Yitzchok: This is the fourth time I’m going to the Rebbe for Tishrei. And still, every time Tishrei approaches, my excitement and anticipation to go to Beis Rabbeinu overflows yet again.

How did you prepare for the trip?

Shneur: In order to prepare, I learned [the sicha of] Beis Rabbeinu Sh’B’Bavel in depth with my brothers. In it, the Rebbe explains the special quality of 770, being the place of the Nasi Ha’dor and where the ikar Sh’china dwells during galus. This made me prepare myself even more and to realize where I am going and who I am traveling to.

Menny: In addition to the personal preparations I made before going to the Rebbe, I decided that I also have to prepare my friends who are not going. I sat with two friends in my class and farbrenged with them about the special inyan of going to the Rebbe.

Shneur Zalman: Every year, when Tishrei approaches, my house is busy with spiritual and physical preparations for the trip to the Rebbe. I have some older brothers who fly every year and so the house is already hopping and preparing for the trip. We learned the kuntres Beis Rabbeinu together and farbrenged about it and we try to live with it as much as possible.

Yosef Yitzchok: Although this is not the first time I am at the Rebbe, this time I prepared with more chayus. I learned the kuntres Beis Rabbeinu (which, unfortunately, I did not do in previous years), made good hachlatos, and lived with the topic.

Tell me how you felt the first minute in 770.

Shneur Zalman: I felt very happy. Dozens of bachurim welcomed us with simcha and dancing and I even saw some of my counselors from camp. The moment I walked into 770, I went to kiss the paroches and then I joined the dancing.

Yosef Yitzchok: 770 is the home of every Chassid. That was the feeling I had when I walked in. I felt that I was returning to my true home.

Shneur: The minute I got out of the taxi in front of 770, I saw my mashpia (whom I did not see for an entire year). We walked into 770 together and I began to take advantage of the time spent with the Rebbe.

Menny: I felt that I had come to the place where the Sh’china is, to the Beis HaMikdash in the time of galus, the home of Nasi Doreinu, the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach.

You all spent Rosh HaShana with the Rebbe. What moved you in particular about spending Rosh HaShana here, that was different than the way it was in Eretz Yisroel?

Shneur Zalman: The entire feeling was different. It was mainly that I felt I was standing before the Rebbe, who is interceding on my behalf only for good on this important day.

Yosef Yitzchok: The truth is that I no longer remember the feeling of Rosh HaShana in Eretz Yisroel. I have spent the last four years with the Rebbe and each time is really special. But this year, unlike any other year, Rosh HaShana was even more special. I prepared a lot for this day. I learned sichos of the Rebbe about the significance of the day and farbrenged with counselors, and so the way I took advantage of the day was different.

Shneur: One time a Chassid asked the Rebbe how he could make the best use of his time in 770. The Rebbe told him: In order to maximize your stay here in the best possible way, try to rub shoulders and mingle with the Chassidim as much as possible. Besides the simple meaning of the Rebbe’s answer, to spend time with the Chassidim at farbrengens and during learning, the answer takes on additional meaning on Rosh HaShana because of the many guests. There is a lot of crowding in 770 and one literally “rubs with the Chassidim.”

What do you have to say to the soldiers in Tzivos Hashem around the world who were unable to go to the Rebbe and have this fantastic experience?

Yosef Yitzchok: If you don’t come to 770, you miss out. Here, in the Rebbe’s home, there is no problem about how the time is used. Every minute is used in the best possible way. We are always rejoicing and learning with a special chayus. We get kochos for the entire year from here!

Shneur Zalman: Those who did not have the z’chus to come to the Rebbe will, G-d willing, merit that the Rebbe will immediately be revealed and then we will all go to Eretz Yisroel. But now, in galus, the only place where we can fill our storehouses and replenish our strength for the avoda of preparing the world for the Geula, is 770, the home of the Nasi Ha’dor, the Rebbe.

Menny: Even those soldiers who were unable to go to the Rebbe need to know that they are shluchim of the Rebbe and the Rebbe is with them. So wherever they are, they should do what the Rebbe wants, go on mivtzaim, etc. In this z’chus, the Rebbe will be revealed and will redeem us immediately, now!