This year, the Hillula (anniversary of passing) of our Holy Rebbe [Rebbe Nachman] took place on the same day he ascended to the heavenly treasures, Tuesday, the 18th of Tishrei, the second day of Chol HaMoed (the intermediate days of) Sukkot. The custom of our community and our teacher, the Rav shlit"a (may he live long and good days), over many years, is to hold the yahrtzeit (anniversary of passing) meal in honor of our Holy Rebbe at the hour when our Holy Rebbe passed away to the heavenly treasures – the afternoon hours of the day of the Hillula (see Chayei Moharan 191, and Siach Sarfei Kodesh 1:659).

This year as well, the Hillula meal took place in the holy Sukkah of our teacher, the Rav shlit"a, at his residence. Today, close to 4:00 PM, the meal began, during which the Rav shlit"a delivered a fiery lesson on the greatness of the Sukkah and the greatness of our Holy Rebbe. He also explained several teachings from Likutey Moharan. Below is a summary of the lesson:

The Rav shlit"a began the lesson regarding the verse brought in Ezekiel, "And its fruit shall be for food, and its leaf for healing" (Ezekiel 47:12). He cited the words of our Holy Rebbe that this is an acronym for "to loosen the mouth of the mute" (Lehatir Peh Ilmim). He said that through the Sukkah and through shiflus (humility/lowliness), it is possible to heal all the sick and to bless all the barren women with children. Likewise, he spoke of the greatness of our Holy Rebbe and said that the Rebbe's father was named Simcha (joy), and therefore the Rebbe is the "son" of joy; he is entirely joy that does not cease for twenty-four hours.

Afterward, he told at length the story of the Baal Shem Tov's journey to the Land of Israel, and how he was saved in the merit of Reb Zvi shouting the Aleph-Bet (the Hebrew alphabet). He said that only our Rebbe truly reached the Land of Israel, because our Rebbe was in the aspect of "dust and ashes," which is the same aspect as the Sukkah.

Later in the lesson, he dealt extensively with the sale of Joseph (Yosef) and how, when the Midianites pulled him out of the pit, they realized he was a prince because they could not look at him. He said that the Tzaddik shines like the sun! As it is written about Moses (Moshe Rabbeinu), "the skin of his face shone." During his words, he spoke about the dispute between Joseph and his brothers regarding whether a ben pekuah (an unborn animal found alive inside its slaughtered mother) is considered a "limb from a living animal" or not. He brought the opinions of the Rishonim (early commentators) on this matter, and also cited the words of the Rambam (Maimonides), who says that poultry does not have the status of meat regarding all the ramifications thereof, including the law of the "wayward and rebellious son" (Ben Sorer U'Moreh).

After these things, he dealt with the greatness of Avner ben Ner, regarding how he restrained himself; even though after Joab (Yoav) stabbed him in the fifth rib, he could have stabbed him back and killed him, he did not do so. He also dealt with the matter of Samson (Shimshon) the Hero in his war against the Philistines.

Toward the end of the lesson, he returned to the dispute between Joseph and his brothers, this time regarding the son of a maidservant—whether it is permitted to sell him or not—and he brought the opinions of the Rishonim on this matter.

Our teacher, the Rav shlit"a, concluded the lesson as he began it, regarding how through shiflus (humility) – "let him put his mouth in the dust," it is possible to heal all the sick and to bless all the barren women with children. He said that the entire holiday of Sukkot is the seven days of feasting for the fact that on Yom Kippur we received the second Tablets (Luchot). After the lesson, which lasted about an hour, the Rav shlit"a recited Kaddish, and the meal concluded with Birkat HaMazon (Grace After Meals) in song and joy.