The 31st anniversary of the Rebbe’s Yartzeit was observed on Sunday, the third day of Tammuz. At noon, my son Menachem and I joined the line of tens of thousands seeking to enter the Ohel, the Rebbe’s holy resting place. We waited for over two hours and utilized the time by reciting Tehillim (psalms) and standing in quiet reflection in preparation for being in the Rebbe’s presence and placing our petitions at the Ohel.
During that time, I met Yair (a pseudonym), a Jew from Florida who said that, although he is not a Chabadnik, he was deeply gratified to be at the Ohel that day. He then shared an amazing story, which I later heard in more detail from his wife, Sarah (a pseudonym).
For weeks, Sarah’s friend had invited her to join a Tuesday morning Tanya class hosted in different homes led by a charismatic Chabad woman named Batya in Hollywood. The first time she participated was on a summer Tuesday last year, which coincided with the 30th anniversary of the Rebbe’s Yartzeit. Much of the discussion revolved around the Rebbe’s continued influence today, and the opportunity to petition the Rebbe to intercede on our behalf for all of G-d’s blessings by visiting the Ohel or writing letters to be placed at the Ohel.
Toward the end of the class, the women were encouraged to share a request for blessing, which would be placed by Ohel later that day. Sarah shared with the class that her son and daughter-in-law, who had been married for three years, had not yet been blessed with children, and she expressed her request for a blessing that they should have children very soon. Batya then suggested that when the blessing materialized, Sarah could celebrate it by hosting the Tanya class in her home, and she readily agreed.
A few months later, Sarah and Yair received the long-awaited news that their daughter-in-law was expecting, and she joyfully hosted the Tanya class at the earliest opportunity.
Three weeks ago, their adorable granddaughter was born in New York City, and they traveled from Florida to meet her and celebrate the joyous occasion. A day before their return flight home, Yair told Sarah that Sunday was the Rebbe’s Yartzeit and suggested they visit the Ohel. At once, she made the connection that a year earlier, she had requested a special blessing for the birth of their grandchild, on the Rebbe’s Yartzeit, and here they were in New York celebrating the realization of that blessing on the Rebbe’s Yartzeit. They both felt it was appropriate to come and thank the Rebbe for this special blessing.
“It is all coming full circle,” Yair told me with a huge smile. “By divine providence, we were able to come here to say 'thank you' to the Rebbe on the perfect day.”
I have heard hundreds of such stories, and they are all unique and meaningful. Thousands visit the Rebbe’s Ohel every day, and many more thousands of petitions arrive at the main office from around the world via email and fax, which are placed at the Ohel with utmost privacy assured. Please visit OhelChabad.org for more details. The Rebbe continues to be a beacon of light and hope to the entire world, guiding our path to the ultimate redemption through Moshiach, when peace and tranquility will reign for all.