In[121] the past, when all the doors were locked,[122] chassidim used to gather around and jostle for places, whereas now, when all the doors are open, they do not come.

It is true that there were those who after having completed their own Seder came to see what was going on, but none of them brought their Afikoman with them so that they could eat it in the room in which the Rebbe [Rayatz] used to conduct his Sedarim, and thereby continue their Seder here until the door was opened for Eliyahu HaNavi.

(As is known,[123] Eliyahu HaNavi can be present in a number of places simultaneously, except that he does not come himself: only a spark of Eliyahu HaNavi comes. When, however, he does come himself, he is present in one place. Thus we find[124] that when he had to save Rav Hamnuna Sava, in whose honor he was obliged to come himself, he was unable to be in another place at the same time.)

Now is there anywhere more appropriate for a lofty revelation of Eliyahu HaNavi than the room in which the Rebbe [Rayatz] conducted his Seder for ten years?

And even after the passing: We find[125] that Rabbeinu HaKadosh,[126] after his passing, used to visit his home on the eve of Shabbos (and so too on the eve of Yom-Tov) and recite Kiddush, and others would discharge their obligation thereby....

[On the second eve of Pesach many chassidim and many students of the Tomchei Temimim Yeshivah arrived, and the Rebbe directed that those who had not yet eaten Afikoman should be served (according to the prevailing custom) three spoonsful of soup from the silver bowl which once belonged to the Alter Rebbe.[127]]

   

Notes:

121. (Back to text) The above text is taken from the unauthenticated notes later recorded by one of those present when the sichah was delivered on the First Day of Pesach, 5710 [1950], after morning prayers in the study of the Rebbe Rayatz.

122. (Back to text) I.e., when only a privileged few were permitted to join the Rebbe Rayatz at his Seder.

123. (Back to text) Hemshech 5666, p. 178; et al.

124. (Back to text) Ibid.; Sefer HaMaamarim 5700, p. 62; Sefer HaMaamarim 5701, p. 151; -- all based on the classical commentaries on Idra Rabbah (Zohar III, 144b).

125. (Back to text) Sefer Chassidim, sec. 1129; see also the next chapter ("The Presence of a Rebbe"), sec. 6.

126. (Back to text) I.e., R. Yehudah HaNasi, compiler of the Mishnah.

127. (Back to text) See Sefer HaSichos 5702 [1942], p. 89.