Satmara Niyes

At around 7:10 in the evening, the Rebbe entered the beis medrash in his holy home for Kabbalas Shabbos, led by R' Naftali Hirtzka Stein. "Mizmor L'Dovid, Havu La'Hashem" was recited verse by verse. The davening concluded at around 7:40. The congregation then went over to wish a good Shabbos.

At around 11:05, the Rebbe entered the tish in the Heichal HaShulchanos with a radiant countenance and began "Shalom Aleichem," singing with feeling and sweetness until "Melech Tamim Darko."
Lifting of the cup: the Rebbe's grandson, Rabbi Dovid Teitelbaum shlit"a.

The Rebbe shlit"a honored people with the zemiros. Kol Mekadesh: R' Avrohom Dovid Wagschal shlit"a (Monsey). Menucha V'Simcha: HaGaon R' Menachem Zev Stern shlit"a, a moreh tzedek in our kehilla in Williamsburg.

The Rebbe shlit"a said a Torah thought on the verse "Bereishis bara Elokim," explaining that by lifting oneself up through the mitzvah dancing on Simchas Torah, one is acquired through the kinyan of hagbaha as a servant of Hashem, and one can say "Ana avda d'Kudsha Berich Hu." He spoke at length, with heartfelt emotion, about the mitzvah dancing of the Hakafos.

After the Torah thought, "Ana Avda d'Kudsha Berich Hu" was sung, and the Rebbe stood up and danced with great holy fervor.

Kah Ekhsof: R' Lipa Horowitz shlit"a, grandson of the HaGaon HaTzaddik, Rav of our kehilla in Boro Park, shlit"a. Birkas Hamazon: Rabbi Chaim Meisels shlit"a, son of the HaGaon HaTzaddik, Av Beis Din of Montreal, shlit"a.

Stories and Accounts: This week the Rebbe shlit"a related stories about the holy Kedushas Levi zy"a, whose yahrzeit fell on Sunday, 25 Tishrei.

Kah Ribon Olam: R' Naftali Horowitz shlit"a (London). The new chassanim went over to take fruit, and a Shalom Zachor was held at R' Yechezkel Wertzberger. Az Beyom HaShevii: HaGaon R' Ezra Dovid Chaira shlit"a. The tish concluded at around 1:15.

On the holy day of Shabbos

On Shabbos morning, the Rebbe entered the beis medrash at around 10:10. Birchos and Pesukei D'Zimra: HaGaon R' Hillel Rabinowitz shlit"a. The Rebbe then approached the amud for Shacharis.

Hotzaah and Hachnasah: Rabbi Mordechai Yuda, son of HaGaon R' Yoel Henoch Horowitz shlit"a. Pesukei Shema Yisroel: R' Chaim, son of the HaGaon HaTzaddik R' Avrohom Meir Halberstam shlit"a.

Aliyos. Kohen: the Rebbe's grandson, HaGaon R' Yoel Glantz shlit"a. Levi: R' Yechezkel Wertzberger. Shlishi: HaGaon R' Berish Kohn shlit"a, Rosh Av Beis Din of Antwerp. Revii: Rabbi Meir Yosef Gross. Chamishi: R' Eliezer Weiss. Shishi: the Rebbe shlit"a.

After his aliyah, the Rebbe recited a name in honor of the birth of a daughter to R' Aviezer Friedman.

Shevii: R' Moshe Avrohom Lefkowitz (Williamsburg). Acharon: R' Zalman Leib Glick (Williamsburg). Maftir: R' Naftali Hirtzka Stein. Hagbah: R' Naftali, son of HaGaon R' Yoel Henoch Horowitz shlit"a. Gelilah: R' Hillel, son of the HaGaon HaTzaddik R' Avrohom Meir Halberstam shlit"a.

The Rebbe shlit"a blessed the new month with great inspiration.

Mussaf: R' Eliezer Weiss. Opening of Ano'am Zemiros: Rabbi Yeshua Gantz (Boro Park). The davening concluded at around 12:55.

At around 7:40, the Rebbe shlit"a entered the beis medrash. Mincha: R' Yosef Moshe Unger (Monsey). Kohen: R' Yosef Aharon HaKohen Rubin. Levi: R' Chaim Heller. Shlishi: HaGaon R' Yosef Leib Kohn shlit"a. Hagbah: the Rebbe shlit"a. Gelilah: R' Shlomo Yoel Friedman (Boro Park).

At Shalosh Seudos, the Rebbe honored people with the zemiros. Odeh: HaGaon HaTzaddik R' Hershel Weiss shlit"a, Av Beis Din of Uhel in Boro Park. Shir HaMaalos: HaGaon R' Avrohom Wolf Schnebalg shlit"a, a moreh tzedek in our kehilla in Williamsburg. Yedid Nefesh: HaGaon R' Berish Kohn shlit"a. Kel Mistater: R' Yaakov Hersh Friedman.

They sang at length the Yom Tov melodies in honor of Neilas HaChag, as well as melodies of the holy Kedushas Levi, whose hilula falls one day after Isru Chag, sung by Rabbi Hershel Kohn shlit"a.

The Rebbe shlit"a recited the blessing over the cup and said "Baruch HaMavdil," and he had the Divrei Kodesh broadcast over a microphone.

The Rebbe shlit"a said a Torah thought on the verse "Bereishis bara Elokim," explaining that the earlier tzaddikim built the channel of blessing for later generations, so that even if we are not worthy, we may still reach the same influences as in earlier times. This is our inheritance from our holy forefathers and Rebbes, especially during the days of Simchas Torah, when so many Jews, with an aspect of "v'gilu bir'ada," celebrated for long hours, beginning from Hoshana Rabba, Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah, hurrying because of the sanctity of Shabbos and then on Shabbos itself. All these are "tzav" hours, and "tzav" is an expression of urging, immediately and for all generations, and it will surely bring forth all good. He concluded with many blessings.

Afterwards, the Rebbe studied the Gemaras of the Bavli and Yerushalmi in Maseches Berachos and explained beautiful allusions.

After the tish, the Rebbe shlit"a stood up to dance and sang three times "L'shana Haba'ah B'Yerushalayim."

Maariv on Motzei Shabbos: the Chadash Ben, the HaGaon HaTzaddik, Rav of Beis Medrash Yismach Moshe shlit"a. After Maariv, the Rebbe made Havdalah.

After a short while, the Rebbe came out to the courtyard of the Beis Medrash HaGadol for the Ma'amad Birchos HaKodesh, in the presence of thousands upon thousands of Jews, to all the assembled people, both in the Ezras Yisroel and the Ezras Nashim.

After several melodies with drums and dancing, the Rebbe offered the holy blessings, that we should take the mitzvos of the sukkah into our homes, the sanctity of the sukkah and the holy influences for the entire year, and he wished abundant blessings. The singing continued with several more melodies, and it concluded at around 10:15.

After the ma'amad, the Rebbe paid a shiva call to R' Mordechai Yuda Schwartz and his sons on the passing of his wife, their mother a"h, in the home of R' Binyomin Klein.

In his holy home, the Rebbe shlit"a bid farewell for an extended time to the hundreds of guests from overseas.

A siyum of the writing of the letters for the Sefer Torah being written by the family of R' Hillel Yeshua Klein a"h also took place. The Rebbe wrote in the letters and bestowed from his holy blessings.

At approximately 12:20 the Satmar Rebbe shlit"a entered the beis medrash for Maariv, in the presence of hundreds of chassidim and men of deed. The baal tefillah was the Rebbe's grandson, R' Yoel Brach"b Pilaff. After Maariv the Rebbe went to the mikvah.

At 1:25 the Rebbe shlit"a entered the beis medrash wrapped in a borrowed tallis for Atah Horayso. Opening the Aron: R' Yaakov Hersh Heiman (Williamsburg).

At 1:40 the Rebbe shlit"a began dancing the elevated Hakafos.
The Rebbe shlit"a said five Torah thoughts during the Hakdama.
First Torah thought: On the verse 'Yedid Nefesh Av HaRachaman' — through mitzvah dancing the feet are sanctified with supernal holiness, and the holiness spreads throughout the entire body.
Second Torah thought: On the verse 'Hadur Naeh' — the Name E-l is the Name of Chesed; through it one borrows kindnesses and mercies from Hashem. Now, during the Hakafos, is the time when one can pray for everything good, and one accepts upon oneself to repay later.
Third Torah thought: On the verse 'Higaleh Na' — in the verses "Chag HaSukkos Taaseh Lecha" and "V'hayisa Ach Sameach" the names are hinted at that are effective for children, health and livelihood.
Fourth Torah thought: Before Kel Mistatter, on the verse 'Vayedaber Moshe es Moadei Hashem' — even when one only speaks a good thought, the Holy One, blessed be He, joins it to the deed, but this applies only to tzaddikim; yet it is said also regarding those who take shelter in the shadow of tzaddikim. Therefore the earlier tzaddikim are sent down during the Hakafos, as brought in the Zohar HaKadosh and received from our holy Rebbes, so that one can rejoice in the future. The tzaddikim in whose shadow the congregation took shelter, the father z"l and the uncle z"l — whether one sees them or does not see them, believe me that they are here and they bestow all good. "V'zos HaBracha asher beirach Moshe" — when the father z"l comes, it is not an empty visit; rather he blesses every single one.
Fifth Torah thought: On the verse 'Bereishis Toratcha HaKedumah' — through the blowing of the shofar and the mitzvah of lulav, the merit of Avraham Avinu at the Akeidah is awakened. Even if there are difficulties regarding Jewish children, one should not ask; rather, "Ach tov vachesed yirdefuni kol yemei chayai."

The Hakdama concluded at approximately 4:10.
At the third Hakafa, all those who have the privilege of being teachers of Torah to Klal Yisroel in our holy mosdos around the world were honored to come take a Torah. At the fourth Hakafa, all the grandchildren of the holy Rebbe, the Beirach Moshe zy"a, were honored.

After the Hakafos, the Rebbe shlit"a recited Shema Yisroel, Hashem Melech and the other verses. Reciting the verses of Shema Yisroel and baal korei: R' Baruch Stern (Williamsburg).
Aliyos. Kohen: R' Eliyahu Shaul Katz (Boro Park). Levi: R' Moshe Yeshaya Wertzberger of the holy city Montreal. Shlishi: the Rebbe shlit"a. Hagbah: HaGaon Rabbi Hillel Rabinowitz shlit"a (Monsey). Gelilah: HaGaon Rabbi Yoel Brama Friedman shlit"a, moreh tzedek of our kehilla in Monsey. They finished at 5:35, and the Rebbe wished a good Yom Tov to the entire congregation.

The Rebbe shlit"a went home to his holy residence and immediately made Kiddush, and conducted the Yom Tov seudah privately with several grandchildren and members of his household. During the seudah, a conversation developed about the customs of Klal Yisroel on Simchas Torah by our holy Rebbes zy"a and by the gedolei Yisroel of earlier years.
The Rebbe honored R' Yoel Weider with the zemiros, and R' Naftali Hirtzka Stein with Birkas HaMazon.

Yom Simchas Torah

Simchas Torah morning, Erev Shabbos Kodesh, at approximately 11:05 the Satmar Rebbe shlit"a entered the beis medrash.
Pesukei D'zimra and Shacharis were davened quickly as is customary. Baal tefillah: R' Yoel Br"sh Wertzberger shlit"a. At Nishmas, they said "HaKel," "HaMelech" and "Shochen Ad" in the Yom Tov, Yamim Noraim and Shabbos nusach, as is customary. The Kohanim duchened, and the Rebbe shlit"a took several orphans from the family of the community under his tallis, as is his holy way. They finished at approximately 12:30.

At approximately 1:00 the Rebbe shlit"a entered the beis medrash for Atah Horayso. Opening: R' Yitzchak Wolf Pilaff (Williamsburg).

At approximately 1:15 the Rebbe shlit"a began dancing the holy Hakafos. The Hakdama concluded at about 3 o'clock.

The Rebbe shlit"a said 4 Torah thoughts, two during the Hakdama and before the fourth and sixth Hakafa.
First Torah thought: On the verse 'Yedid Nefesh' — even if one makes only a slight movement in the service of Hashem, it is very precious in Heaven.
Second approach: The Creator placed in nature a trait of yearning, of not being satisfied with what one has. In material matters one should indeed use the traits of contentment, but in spiritual matters one must be in a state of ascending, rising above one's present level. This does not refer to those who do not learn at all; rather, those who do learn should learn with greater understanding, perseverance and diligence.
Second Torah thought: On the verse 'Higaleh Na' — from the sukkah one sees the nachas ruach of serving Hashem with material needs, and the great honor of Heaven when Jews who are preoccupied with earning a livelihood and sustenance engage in Torah even more than those who sit in the tent of Torah.
Second approach: Even though there is no reward for mitzvos in this world, through "adding from the weekday to the holy" there is indeed reward. One must bring out the praise of Jews who sit every week on Shabbos waiting for Mussaf; they do not run away from Shabbos, and for this there is reward in this world. Especially now, as we are close to the seventh millennium, "the day that is entirely Shabbos," it is the time of adding from the weekday to the holy. Now, on Erev Shabbos, we must hurry the Hakafos, not out of laziness, G-d forbid, but out of the holiness of Shabbos. As a reward for this, the power of Shabbos, adding from the weekday to the holy, will be bestowed for the entire year, so that there is reward in this world.
The Torah thought before the fourth Hakafa — the Hakafa of Moshe Rabbeinu, on the verse 'Bereishis Bara Elokim': through this Torah thought, the claim of the angels, "Will they come to sin before You," is nullified, and each person is awakened, according to his level, to accept and add in Torah learning.
The Torah thought before the sixth Hakafa — the Hakafa of Yosef HaTzaddik: the 39 shakings are effective in bringing down livelihood. Therefore it is the custom of our fathers and holy Rebbes to make the shakings with the sefer Torah at the sixth Hakafa, which is the attribute of the holiness of Yosef, who bestows livelihood. During the sixth Hakafa one accepts upon oneself to be careful with holiness in speech, deed and thought, especially regarding technological devices.

Between the Hakafos they sang the piyutim of the Chareidim with great arousal, as is customary.
During the Hakafos, hundreds of guests from abroad were honored.

At the sixth Hakafa the Rebbe shlit"a made the shakings with the sefer Torah with elevation and devotion, in the manner of our holy Rebbes.
The seventh Hakafa was held only on the bimah because of the late hour and the approaching holiness of Shabbos Kodesh. The Rebbe took his own sefer Torah and danced with great affection and elevation, in supreme joy.

At the conclusion, at approximately 4:45, the Rebbe said Vayesyu and recited Ledavid Mizmor verse by verse.

During the Torah reading, the attendants of the Rebbe received aliyos. Kohen: R' Shmuel HaKohen Perl. Levi: R' Yoel Yuda Rubinfeld (Williamsburg). Shlishi: R' Yehoshua Mendlowitz. Revi'i: R' Chaim Shlomo Fischer. Chamishi: the Rebbe shlit"a.

They immediately went over to the Polish room for the Torah reading.
The Torah was read and the tefillos davened quickly because of the shortness of time.
The attendant R' Yoel Kaufman recited the Reshus for the Chassan Torah, and the Rebbe shlit"a received the aliyah and read with great arousal and pleading.
Hagbah for the first sefer: R' Moshe Aharon Steinberg; gelilah: R' Yoel Brama Weider.

Chassan Bereishis: R' Eliezer Low (London). A tallis was spread out like a chuppah, as is customary.
Hagbah for the second sefer: R' Yoel Wertheimer; gelilah: the bochur, an attendant of the Rebbe, Shneur Zalman Eckstein.
Chassan Maftir: R' Naftali Hirtzka Stein.
Hagbah for the third sefer: R' Yaakov Brama HaKohen Friedman; gelilah: the bochur Mordechai, son of R' Chaim Eliezer Davidowitz shlit"a.

Mussaf was davened by R' Avrohom Moshe Lebowitz. They made merry as is customary. Mincha was davened immediately. They finished at 5:30.

The Rebbe shlit"a went home to his holy residence accompanied by song and music, and immediately made Kiddush five minutes before the time of candle lighting. He washed for the Yom Tov seudah and made hamotzi on an elongated challah. Yom Tov foods and kraut were brought in as is customary.
The Rebbe shlit"a sang Sisu V'simchu and recited the blessing over the cup. They finished at approximately 6:35, and the Rebbe went to the mikvah in honor of Shabbos Kodesh, in his holy residence.

At around 8:40 the Satmar Rebbe shlit"a entered the beis medrash wrapped in a borrowed tallis. Maariv: HaGaon Rabbi Moshe Friedman shlit"a, dayan of our kehilla in Williamsburg.

At 9:10 the Rebbe shlit"a began "Atah Hareisa" with a holy fiery fervor, which was followed by a heavenly outcry from tens of thousands of Jews, elders together with youths. Opening of the Aron: R' Raphael Perlmutter, of Monsey.

The Sifrei Torah were brought in, the Rebbe went up to the bimah and recited the Leshem Yichud, and the singers began to sing "Lamenatzeach."
"The name of Hashem is a tower of strength; the righteous runs into it and is lifted high." At approximately 9:15 the Rebbe shlit"a began his holy service, dancing the lofty Hakafos with fervor and sparks of holy fire, at the head of a congregation of holy, stirred Jews, with some ten thousand talmidim and chassidim, hour after hour, in the joy of the Torah. Fortunate is the eye that saw our tents, in the joy of our kehilla.

At the fourth Hakafa, the guests from Eretz Yisroel were honored with a Sefer Torah.

At the seventh Hakafa, after dancing around the beis medrash with vigor and strength, the Rebbe shlit"a went up onto the bimah, as is his holy custom, and continued the dancing with even greater intensity and vigor.
After the Hakafos the Rebbe recited "L'Dovid Mizmor," and after Aleinu, wished a good Yom Tov to the entire congregation in all sections of the beis medrash with a radiant countenance. They concluded at 11:50.

At around 1:45 the Rebbe shlit"a entered the Heichal HaShulchanos for the meal.
During the tish, Simchas Torah melodies were sung with great joy.
During the zemiros the Rebbe honored Rabbi Meir Yosef Gross shlit"a (of Williamsburg).

The Rebbe shlit"a said Torah on the verse "V'hayisa ach sameach," and explained that through the 15 seudos of Yom Tov of Sukkos and Shemini Atzeres, Jews are relieved of all troubles.

Birkas Hamazon: the Rebbe's grandson Rabbi Yisroel Dushinsky shlit"a, son of HaGaon Rabbi Dushinsky shlit"a, Rav of Beis Medrash Ohel Feiga. They concluded at 2:40.

On Shemini Atzeres morning at around 11:10 the Rebbe shlit"a entered the beis medrash. Pesukei D'zimra: HaGaon R' Meir Zwibel shlit"a, one of the rabbonim of our holy kehilla in Williamsburg. The Rebbe approached the amud for Shacharis and Hallel.

Hotzaah and Hachnasah: HaGaon R' Avrohom Wolf Schnebalg shlit"a, moreh tzedek in our kehilla in Williamsburg, and Rabbi Sinai Teitelbaum shlit"a, son of the HaGaon Rav of our kehilla in Boro Park 15 shlit"a.
Pesukei Shema Yisroel: HaGaon R' Yoel Halberstam shlit"a, Rav of Beis Medrash Beis Shmuel, Divrei Chaim neighborhood in Kiryas Joel.

Aliyos. Kohen: R' Yoel Kahn (of Williamsburg). Levi: the Av Beis Din of Monsey shlit"a. Shlishi: the Av Beis Din of Williamsburg shlit"a. Revi'i: R' Yisroel Chaim Glick. The Rebbe called the name for the birth of his daughter, mazel tov. Chamishi: the Rebbe shlit"a.

After his aliyah, the Rebbe called the name of the newborn daughters of:
R' Kalman Eliezer Sapdi.
R' Eizik Kohn.
R' Moshe Strulovitch.
R' Kalman Eliezer Rubinstein.
R' Mordechai Schwartz.
R' Shimon Schwartz.
R' Yoel Reich (Jersey City).

Hagbah of the first Sefer: R' Yeshaya Wertzberger. Gelila: R' Yoel Bernatah.
Maftir: R' Fishel Rispler (of Williamsburg). Hagbah of the second Sefer: R' Elazar Gruber. Gelila: R' Chaim Shlomo Krauss.

Because of the great crowding of the many thousands of men entering after Yizkor, the Rebbe went out to put on the kittel for Tefillas Geshem before Yizkor.
Also, as on Yom Tov Shavuos, a new arrangement was put in place with the approval of the Rebbe shlit"a, and special partitions were set up in all the wings and on the south and north sides of the beis medrash to prevent danger to life when so many thousands of Jews go out and in at once.

The Rebbe shlit"a approached the amud and recited the prayer for rain, L'Dovid Mizmor and Kaddish. The gabbai, R' Yoel Kaufman, called out "Mashiv haruach umorid hagashem."
The Rebbe shlit"a blessed for rain with great arousal.

Opening for Geshem: R' Moshe Goldstein. Kah Keli: R' Yitzchak Ehrenfeld. Opening for Ane'im Zemiros: HaGaon R' Ezra David Chaira shlit"a, dayan of Kehal Charedim in Argentina. They concluded at around 3:00.

After several minutes the Rebbe shlit"a entered the great sukkah for Kiddush as is the custom. The Rebbe made Kiddush and tasted mezonos, kindel and fish.

The Rebbe shlit"a said Torah on the verse "Uvayom hashemini atzeres tihiyeh lachem," explaining that Shemini Atzeres is special for praying for one's personal needs. Personal needs are only something that remains for a person for later, and therefore it is a segulah for parnassah for Jewish children, who use the money for spiritual needs. They concluded at around 3:30.

In the afternoon at around 6:15 the Rebbe shlit"a entered the great beis medrash for Mincha. Baal tefillah: R' Shlomo Zalman Stein.

After Mincha the Rebbe shlit"a entered the great sukkah to take leave of the sukkah.
Yom Tov melodies were sung, the Rebbe drank lechayim and wished the Chevra Kadisha as is customary, and the entire congregation of thousands of men, and made a brocha on an apple.

They continued with melodies of arousal and "Hagleh Na."
The Rebbe shlit"a said Torah on the phrase "Hagleh na," that the mitzvah of sukkah brings down mercy and kindness revealed, so that it can be seen with the eyes. One must bring the holiness of the mitzvah of sukkah into the home. He also mentioned that one must offer praise and thanks to Hashem; Baruch Hashem it was a beautiful Yom Tov, and people were able to eat and sleep in the sukkah without interruption. So too may there be a whole year of uninterrupted kindness. He concluded with abundant blessings.

After the Torah, the Rebbe shlit"a threw apples for a longer time, in the custom of the Beirach Moshe zy"a and the Divrei Chaim zy"a before him. He then recited with emotion the prayer upon leaving the sukkah and the yehi ratzon. The Rebbe stood up and recited "L'shana haba'ah b'Yerushalayim" with holy fire, and broke into a fiery dance in the joy of a mitzvah, taking leave of Yom Tov Sukkos.

The Rebbe left the sukkah with holy dancing steps and entered the beis medrash, and danced around the beis medrash several times, leaning on the Av Beis Din of Monsey shlit"a and the Av Beis Din of Sighet shlit"a. They concluded at around 7:20, and the Rebbe went home.

Leil Hoshana Rabbah, Ushpizin of Dovid HaMelech Moshiach — 'B'tzeil HaKodesh' with the Satmar Rebbe shlit"a

At around 10:00 the Rebbe shlit"a entered the great beis medrash for the reading of Mishneh Torah and recited the tefillah before the reading. The baal koreh was R' Shalom Yosef Samet shlit"a. It concluded at around 11:40.

A few minutes later the Rebbe shlit"a came to the holy table for the seudah of Leil Hoshana Rabbah and the Ushpizin of Dovid HaMelech Moshiach, in the great sukkah adjacent to the great beis medrash.

After reciting the order of the Ushpizin, the Rebbe shlit"a washed for the Yom Tov seudah. At the lechayim after the soup, the Rebbe wished, "A good, blessed year." During the elevated tish, the Yamim Noraim melodies were sung with great fervor, while the Rebbe shlit"a shed rivers of tears.

The Rebbe shlit"a honored the following with Shir HaMaalos:
HaGaon R' Dovid Perl shlit"a, maggid shiur in our kehilla.
HaGaon R' Dovid Greenfeld shlit"a, moreh tzedek.
R' Dovid Eckstein.

The Rebbe shlit"a said Torah on the verse "Kavoh kiviti Hashem, vayet eilai" ("I hoped, I hoped for Hashem"; "my soul hopes"), explaining that through the mitzvah of bris milah the orlas halev (the barrier of the heart) is removed, and teshuvah comes from the inner depths of the heart.

Birkas Hamazon: the Chavdan, HaGaon HaTzaddik, rav of Beis Medrash Ohel Feiga shlit"a. It concluded at 1:00.

After the tish the Rebbe shlit"a entered the beis medrash before a large crowd for the recitation of Tehillim. Baal tefillah: R' Asher Yaakov Eckstein. After each sefer, the Yehi Ratzon for Hoshana Rabbah and Kaddish were recited. It concluded at approximately 2:50, and the Rebbe shlit"a went home to his holy residence, where he bound the hoshanos for himself and for the Rebbetzin tichye.

Yom Hoshana Rabbah

In the morning at around 11:10 the Rebbe shlit"a entered the beis medrash wrapped in the tallis, with the kappel and the kittel of the Divrei Yoel zy"a, and beneath it the white striped bekitshe.

Before davening, the brissen took place.
For the newborn son of R' Yisroel Dovid Kapel, where the Rebbe was sandek and mohel.
For the newborn son of R' Shlomo Klein, where the Rebbe was sandek.

The Rebbe shlit"a proceeded to Birchos HaShachar, Pesukei D'Zimra and Shacharis, omitting the Yamim Noraim nusach, and said Hallel HaGadol and the Shirah verse by verse.
During Hallel the Rebbe shlit"a prolonged his holy service at the shaking of the lulav with holy emotion, deveikus and great fervor, as the entire congregation of thousands upon thousands of Yidden sang the holy melodies with tears.

After Hallel, R' Yoshe Mendlowitz removed the rings from the lulav.

At 1:50 the Rebbe shlit"a began the fiery "Drashas Hoshana Rabbah" with the well-known mashal that was often on the lips of our holy Rebbes zy"a, and spoke at length with stormy weeping and tears, which carried the entire beis medrash along in awesome weeping.

Afterwards the Rebbe continued at length with lofty ideas and words of inspiration, weeping, in honor of the day:
Hoshana l'maancha Elokeinu: Through the four species, which allude to the unity of Yisroel, the attribute of mercy, "I am Hashem," is awakened, and the question "Am I a king?" is no longer difficult, and teshuvah is accepted.
L'maancha Elokeinu, second approach: Through the four species, a whole Yom Tov, which is only mi'derabbanan, one merits reward in this world, which protects one from stumbling in sin, so that one can daven and the door is not locked to Jewish requests.
Hoshana l'maancha Boreinu: Through the attribute of mercy a fresh tzelem Elokim is created upon a person, and through this the tefillos are accepted. One should daven with extra intensity that the tzelem Elokim should, chas v'shalom, not be removed from us and from our children, and, with heartfelt weeping, that we merit upright Jewish children.
Hoshana l'maancha Go'aleinu: At the time of the redemption from Egypt, the merit of Avrohom Avinu was awakened, who did not ask any questions at the time of the Akeidah.
Hoshana l'maancha Dorsheinu: There are three yuds in the Name Havayah, Yisroel and Yerushalayim; we daven that the segol of the yud of Yerushalayim be filled.

Hoshana l'maan amitecha: Great is teshuvah, for it reaches the Throne of Glory, but a liar who cannot receive the Divine Presence cannot do teshuvah, unlike Jewish children who cling to the attribute of truth.
Hoshana l'maan brischa: "Ahavah covers all transgressions"; the mitzvah of milah draws down love of Hashem, and through this the sins are covered and the chitzonim cannot seize the mitzvos, and one need not worry about being cast, chas v'shalom, to the chitzonim.
Hoshana l'maan gudlecha v'sifarticha: Through the ninety-one shakings one awakens the merit of Moshiach Tzidkeinu. The Rebbe concluded the drashah with abundant blessings.

The drashah concluded at approximately 2:50, and the hakafos around the beis medrash began. The Rebbe shlit"a recited the hoshanos with great fervor. Between the hakafos the shofar was blown, as is customary, by the HaGaon HaTzaddik, Av Beis Din of Williamsburg shlit"a. After the circuits the piyutim were recited, and after Kaddish Tiskabel the Rebbe beat the hoshanos five times and recited the Yehi Ratzon as is customary.

Ata Hareisa, the Thirteen Attributes, and Shir HaMaalos of Asisa were recited as is customary.
Hotza'ah and Hachnasah: R' Naftali Horowitz shlit"a (London).
Baal koreh: R' Yaakov Moshe Mittelman.

Aliyos. Kohen: Rabbi Shmuel Hersh Kahana shlit"a (Monsey). Levi: R' Yudel Wasner shlit"a (Manchester), who recited Birkas HaGomel and fulfilled the obligation of the hundreds of fresh guests from our community overseas. Shlishi: HaGaon R' Avrohom Shalom Friedman shlit"a, one of the roshei hakollelim. Revii: the Rebbe shlit"a. Hagbah: the Rebbe's grandson R' Berish Gross shlit"a (Montreal). Gelilah: R' Moshe Yitzchak Sternlicht (London).

Musaf: HaGaon Rabbi Mendel Wertzberger shlit"a, dayan of our kehilla in Montreal. The kohanim duchened. Immediately after Musaf, Mincha was davened. Baal tefillah: HaGaon R' Asher Chaim Weiser shlit"a, moreh tzedek in our kehilla in Boro Park. It concluded at around 4:45.

A few minutes after Mincha, the Rebbe shlit"a came to the table in honor of the day in the great sukkah and recited the order of the Ushpizin. At the lechayim after the fish, the Rebbe wished, "A good, blessed year." With the soup, kreplach were served as is customary, the baalei ushpizin brought kugels, and Yom Tov melodies were sung.

The Rebbe honored R' Chaim Hersh Gold (Williamsburg) with the zemiros. Birkas Hamazon: the Rebbe's grandson Rabbi Dovid Teitelbaum shlit"a. It concluded at 5:20.

At his holy residence the Rebbe went to the mikvah to purify himself, on foot, in honor of Yom Tov.

The night of 4 Chol HaMoed, Ushpizin of Yosef HaTzaddik, "B'tzeil HaKodesh" with the Satmar Rebbe shlit"a

The Rebbe shlit"a entered the Sukkah HaGedolah for the Yom Tov meal at around 11:00. After the recitation of the order of the Ushpizin, the Rebbe washed for the Yom Tov seudah.

The Ushpizin sponsors set out wine as is customary, and after the Yom Tov dishes, the Ushpizin sponsors brought kugels, and the Rebbe distributed shirayim.

During the singing of Shir HaMaalos, the Rebbe honored: HaGaon Rabbi Avrohom Meir Halberstam shlit"a, Dayan and Moreh Tzedek of our beis medrash in 18 Boro Park shlit"a; HaGaon R' Simcha Shalom Steinberger shlit"a, Rav of the Divrei Chaim beis medrash; HaGaon R' Naftali Hirtzka Zwibel shlit"a, Rosh Av Beis Din of Williamsburg.

The Rebbe shlit"a said Torah on the verse "And of Yosef he said: Blessed by Hashem is his land," and explained in the manner of derush that Yosef HaTzaddik ruled like Rabbi Meir, so that Hakadosh Baruch Hu can naturally give Eretz Yisroel to all of Klal Yisroel even though it is something without limit, since Eretz Yisroel is an "Eretz HaTzvi" (the land of the deer-skin) and it expands as needed. He continued with an aggadic teaching that in the merit of Yosef, the holiness of Eretz Yisroel spreads into all the sukkos, and concluded with abundant blessings.

Birkas Hamazon: led by the Rav of the Kol Eliyahu beis medrash, a son-in-law of the Rebbe's family, HaGaon shlit"a. After bentching, the singing and zemiros continued, and the Rebbe stood up to dance in honor of Simchas Beis HaShoeva. It ended at around 12:30.

Tuesday, 4 Chol HaMoed

The Rebbe entered for Shacharis at around 10:10. Baal tefillah: R' Yaakov Akiva Weinstock. The Rebbe went up to Hallel and performed his holy service with the nanuim with great fervor and arousal, and afterward recited the Hoshanos. Pesicha: HaRav Yitzchak Dovid Jacob shlit"a (Yerushalayim).

Kohen: the Rebbe's grandson, Rabbi Nachman Kahana shlit"a, son-in-law of the Rav of the Birkas Moshe beis medrash, HaGaon shlit"a. Levi: R' Yaakov Chaim Moskowitz (Williamsburg). Shlishi: HaGaon R' Yoel Yitzchak Stern shlit"a, Dayan and Moreh Tzedek of the Dinov beis medrash in Kiryas Joel. Revii: the Rebbe shlit"a. Hagbah: the Rebbe's grandson, Rabbi Yehoshua Lavin, son-in-law of the Rav of the Birkas Moshe beis medrash, HaGaon shlit"a. Gelilah: Rabbi Shimon Teitelbaum shlit"a, grandson of the Gaon HaKadosh of our kehilla in Boro Park 15 shlit"a.

Mussaf: R' Yaakov Akiva Weinstock. It ended at around 12:50.


The night of 3 Chol HaMoed, Ushpizin of Aharon HaKohen Kadisha — "B'tzeil HaKodesh" with the Satmar Rebbe shlit"a

The Satmar Rebbe shlit"a entered the great sukkah for the Simchas Beis HaShoeivah at around 10:35. The Rebbe warmly greeted his brother, HaGaon Rabbi, Rav of our kehilla in Boro Park 15, shlit"a, and after reciting the Ushpizin, washed for the Yom Tov seudah.

The Ushpizin sponsors placed wine as is customary, and after the Yom Tov foods, the sponsors brought kugels, and the Rebbe distributed shirayim.

With the Shir HaMaalos, the Rebbe honored: HaRav HaTzaddik R' Mesholam Nosson Spiegel shlit"a, Rav of the Tefillah L'Moshe Kolashin beis medrash in Monsey. HaGaon Rabbi Eliezer Mordechai Sofer shlit"a, Rav of our holy kehilla in Linden. HaRav HaGaon R' Wolf Aharon Teller shlit"a, director of Mivtzar HaKollelim.

The Rebbe shlit"a said Torah on the verse "Bereishis bara Elokim," and explained that through looking at a tzaddik, one is influenced to return to the proper path; the sukkah likewise has the power to bring kedusha upon a person for an entire year.

Birkas Hamazon: HaGaon Rabbi Avrohom Shmuel Englander shlit"a, Dayan of our holy kehilla in Lakewood. After bentching, the singing and rejoicing continued, as the Rebbe stood up and danced in honor of the Simchas Beis HaShoeivah. It concluded at around 12:15.

After a few minutes, the Rebbe shlit"a entered the great beis medrash for the grand Simchas Beis HaShoeivah gathering, with the mitzvah dancing of thousands upon thousands of chassidim and men of deed in honor of the Simchas Beis HaShoeivah. The Rebbe went up to the special platform and danced holy dances for an extended time, and then watched with satisfaction for an extended time as the dancing rose ever higher. The Rebbe left the beis medrash at around 1:10.

Monday, 3 Chol HaMoed

Before davening, the Rebbe put on tefillin at his home for the bar mitzvah bochur, the bochur Yoel Landau.

The Rebbe entered for Shacharis at around 10:10. Baal tefillah: R' Yehuda Eliezer Gottesman. The Rebbe recited the Vechoros verse by verse, proceeded to Hallel, and performed his holy service during the shaking of the lulav with great fervor and arousal, and afterwards recited the Hoshanos. Pesicha: R' Avrohom Dovid Gottlieb (Williamsburg).

Kohen: HaRav HaTzaddik R' Yechezkel Glantz shlit"a of Bardiov, Williamsburg. Levi: the bar mitzvah bochur Yoel Landau. Shlishi: HaGaon R' Ari Asher Indig shlit"a, moreh tzedek of the Maharsha beis medrash. Revii: the Rebbe shlit"a. Hagbah: R' Hershel Wertheimer (Monsey). Gelilah: R' Moshe Schwartz (London).

Musaf: the Rebbe's grandson, Rabbi Mordechai Yehuda Halberstam shlit"a, son-in-law of the Av Beis Din of Sighet shlit"a.

After davening, the brisos took place:
For the son born to R' Yisroel Yehuda Gutman, where the Rebbe was sandek.
For the son born to R' Shimon Greenfeld, where the Rebbe was sandek and mohel. It concluded at around 12:45.

After davening, at around 1:20, the Rebbe entered the great sukkah for the first Shulchan HaTahor together with hundreds of bochurim from across New York as part of the "L'haalos" group. Upon arrival, the Rebbe danced in place for a few minutes, and after reciting the Ushpizin, washed for the seudah.

During the tish, the singing and praises continued at length.
With the zemiros and piyutim, the Rebbe honored directors of yeshivos ketanos: HaGaon R' Baruch Shlomo Weinberger shlit"a, head director in Kiryas Joel. HaGaon R' Wolf Landau shlit"a, director of the Rav Tov branch. HaGaon R' Chaim Leib Silberstein shlit"a, director of the Yitav Panim branch. HaGaon R' Shlomo Elimelech Stein shlit"a, director of the Divrei Chaim branch. HaGaon R' Yoel Oppenheim shlit"a, director of Yeshiva Ketana Derech HaTorah.

The Rebbe shlit"a said Torah on the verse "Behaalosecha es haneiros" with a lengthy discourse in honor of the day, and afterwards spoke at length about "Atah bechartanu mikol haamim" and how one must approach a mitzvah with joy and vitality of kedusha, and concluded with abundant blessings.

The singing continued and the Rebbe stood up and danced for an extended time.
With Birkas Hamazon, the Rebbe honored Rabbi Moshe Yosef Ashkenazi shlit"a, one of the heads of Hisachdus Avreichim Monsey. It concluded at around 3:15.

In the afternoon at around 5:00, the Rebbe shlit"a delivered holy words and Yom Tov blessings via a live hook-up to our chassidim in Bnei Brak, at the Ushpizin seudah of Yosef HaTzaddik and Simchas Beis HaShoeivah, in the great sukkah of our great beis medrash in Shikun. After the divrei Torah in honor of the day, the Rebbe delivered words of chizuk and guidance and spoke of the good tidings being heard regarding the expansion of the holy borders of the beis medrash, for His Name and glory, in quantity and quality, and the good news from the kehilla and the mosdos, and concluded with holy blessings regarding the situation in Eretz Yisroel and with abundant blessings for everyone.

Afterwards, at around 5:15, HaGaon HaTzaddik Rabbi Menachem Meir Weissmandl shlit"a, Av Beis Din of Nitra Monsey, paid a Yom Tov visit to the Rebbe shlit"a in the sukkah of his home. A lengthy, warm conversation ensued in Torah and chassidus, regarding various questions in the laws of Yom Tov Sukkos. The Rebbe honored him with a lechayim and bestowed his holy blessings upon him.

The Rebbe davened Mincha at around 6:30 at his home. After Mincha there was entry time for the guests from abroad, until around 8:10, when the Rebbe davened Maariv.

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Sunday, Second Day of Chol HaMoed

Before davening, the Rebbe put on tefillin in his holy home for the bar mitzvah bochurim.
The bochur Naftali Hirtzka Stein.
The bochur Yosef Moskowitz.

The Rebbe entered the Shacharis tefillah in the Beis Medrash HaGadol at about 10:05. The baal tefillah was the Shabbos-Kodesh-to-Shabbos davener, R' Shlomo Zalman Stein. The Rebbe recited "Zochreinu" verse by verse, proceeded to Hallel, and performed the holy service during the shaking of the lulav with great fervor and arousal, and afterwards recited the Hoshanos. Pesicha: R' Yitzchak Baruch Braun (Monsey).

Aliyos. Kohen: the baal bris, R' Yoel Glantz, son of R' B. Levi: R' Yosef Moshe Unger (Monsey). Shlishi: Rabbi Naftali Lebovitz shlit"a (Williamsburg). Revi'i: the Rebbe shlit"a. Hagbah: HaGaon Rabbi Berel Glantz shlit"a of Bardiov. Gelilah: R' Lipa Friedman (Williamsburg).

Musaf: HaRav HaTzaddik R' Chaim Elazar Weiss shlit"a of Chmelnik, Monsey.

After davening, a bris took place for the newborn son of R' Yoel Glantz, son of R' B., at which the Rebbe served as sandek and mohel. It concluded at about 12:45.

In the afternoon at about 6:20, the Rebbe went to the Beis Medrash Beis Elazar in the Veyoel Moshe neighborhood for the hachnasas sefer Torah, which was brought in by R' Simcha Naftali Klagsbrun. The Rebbe took the sefer Torah and performed the holy dancing for an extended time, honored his son, HaGaon HaTzaddik, the Av Beis Din of Sighet shlit"a, the rav of the beis medrash, to dance, and then recited "L'Dovid Mizmor" as customary, and bestowed his holy blessings.

The Rebbe davened Mincha at about 7:00, and Maariv at the proper time at 7:20 in his holy home.

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