What a powerful start to our NY trip!

Today, we had the privelege of davening in the Rebbe's room, where he would receive tens of thousands of people for private audiences. The room is only open at certain times and is a very holy place to daven.

We also enjoyed a tour of some of the unique artifacts that are part of the famous Agudas Chassidei Chabad library (a.k.a. the Rebbe's library, home to some 250 000 Judaica books). 

 

Following close on that was a full tour of the Jewish Educational Media (they produce the videos of the Rebbe, like Living Torah) production suite. Everyone was impressed by just how jacked-up their operation is. Add to that some delicious ice cream, NY deli supper

and watching the city lights from the Top of the Rock and it was a super day. 

 

We've also experienced amazing little incidents of Divine Providence, like bumping into the midtown busker, "Yoel" (Larry) who spontaneously started playing the niggun of the Rebbe's father as we walked past him yesterday. 

I had to ask him if he knew what song he was playing (somehow we hadn't yet noticed the magen dovid tattoo and didn't realise he was Jewish). He proudly replied that this was a Chabad niggun (his words). I then explained to him that this particular niggun had been composed by the Rebbe's father- which impressed him. Then I told him that he had chosen well because it was the Rebbe's father's yartzeit that very day. Well, Larry- or Yoel- was so excited he literally jumped up, played it again (we did a little sidewalk dance) and emotionally told us that we had made his day (he didn't even want payment for his performance). 

There is a healthy Jewish spark in every Jew, even one who you could pass on the street without thinking (or wanting to believe that) he or she is "one of us". 

Sometimes it takes a lively niggun (a bit of simcha) to bring that spark to the surface. You can watchLarry's performance by clicking here.