פארט צו קראוןהייטס דער רבי טיילט דאלער'ס
http://770blogger.blogspot.com/2005/03/sunday-dollars-continues.html
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Sunday Dollars Continues
Almost to the day, 13 years after the Rebbe ceased distributing dollars on Sunday afternoons, the Sefadi students at 770 today began filling his role.
This afternoon, a table was set up in the front hallway of 770 – the famed vestibule where the Rebbe would spend countless hours counseling, guiding and disbursing blessings. The table, manned by a group of Sefadis armed with a pack of crisp, brand new, dollar bills – was placed on the same place the Rebbe's table stood as he would receive thousands on Sunday afternoons.
Deciding that a minor annoyance – the lack of the Rebbe's physical presence – would not deter them from their business, the individuals decided re-institute the custom, announcing that in fact, the Rebbe was handing out the dollar bills. They filed by and took dollar bills off the table. A student promptly replaced every dollar removed from the table with another one for the next in line.
The Sefadis, many of whom have never seen the Rebbe on their own, have determined that they are empowered to take the Rebbe's exalted place. Apparently, they will also be disbursing blessing, counsel and guidance, along with the dollar bills.
After some strong words from some American students at 770, which went unheeded, Rabbi Kuti Feldman, a mentor in 770, arrived and instructed the students to stop. When they ignored him, he began physically taking the table out of the hallway, and a scuffle broke out.
Following that, the Sefadis continued to distribute dollars outside 770.
After a short while, they moved downstairs into the main Shul of 770, where a number of congregants began shouting at them.
In a departure for the Gabbais, who have by-in-large aligned themselves with the Sefadis, Gabbai Rabbi Holtzberg told the students they had no permission to do this.
Before 27 Adar I, 5752, Jew and Gentile would wait patiently in line for their moment with the Rebbe. The Rebbe would hand them a dollar bill to give to charity. Most individuals would retain the dollar which the Rebbe handed to them as a precious keepsake, instead redeeming it and giving another dollar to charity in its place.
It is unknown whether the individuals who received dollars today – which included several nonreligious Jews who also kissed the table where they were told the Rebbe was standing – will be keeping the dollars they received and offering other ones to charity in exchange, or whether they will be giving the originals to charity.
At publication time, it is also unknown whether the Sefadis have secured professional liability insurance in case anyone follows their ''Sunday advice'' with ill consequence.
Disclaimer: This was not a Purim joke. I wasn't there in person, so if you have any corrections or additional facts, please submit
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