Ohel at Dawn

"The Ohel" is where the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson was laid to rest on the 3rd of Tammuz 5754 (June 12, 1994), next to his father-in-law, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Y. Schneersohn. The term Ohel (lit. "tent") refers to the structure built over the resting place of a Tzaddik, a righteous person. Anyone who had the fortune to meet the Rebbe can relate the unparalleled attention and love that he offered each individual, regardless of background, situation or degree of religious involvement. Whether they came for blessing, advice, or encouragement, men and women from all walks of life found solace in the Rebbe's kind words and luminous visage. Anyone who stood in his presence - even for a moment - could not leave without being deeply affected, if not changed by their encounter, an extraordinary experience that people carry with them to this day. Our sages declare that the righteous, unburdened of the limits of a physical body, are even greater after their passing than during their lifetime, and the constant stream of visitors to the Ohel from every sector of the Jewish nation and beyond testifies to the powerful truth of their words. The Ohel has become the place where thousands come and continue to receive inspiration and blessing from the Rebbe. In reply to Marsha's question, Yes, I was fortunate to have met the Rebbe personally, a number of times. In fact, I kind of met my husband through him. Almost endless thousands of people went to the Rebbe, from us plain folks, to politicians, famous people, etc. Jews and non-Jews alike. Once, when my husband was young, they saw a loooooong limousine pull up and an Arab sheik go in to the Rebbe. It was a cousin of the King of Morocco, who had been childless, and had come to thank the Rebbe personally, for the blessing which resulted in his progeny. The Rebbe used to stand nearly the whole day, every Sunday, meeting people, blessing them, and giving them dollars to distribute to charity. (By doing a good deed, it opens up a pathway for blessings to be received.) More HERE, HERE and numbers 16, 17, 18 HERE

The Ohel is the small (open topped) building on the left.

Thousands of people visit the Ohel every week. They pray and read notes requesting blessings, which they then tear and leave there.

Memorial candles