One May Wonder!

PARSHAS BO

1. When did the siyum of Moshiach’s Sefer Torah take place?

2. When did the Rebbe initiate the mivtza of writing a Sefer Torah for children? And when did the Rebbe initiate this for adults?

3. When was the first time the Rebbe farbrenged after the histalkus of the Frierdiker Rebbe?

4. During which period of time did the Rebbe visit the Ohel every weekday?

5. When was the first time the Rebbe visited the Ohel on Rosh Chodesh?

6. What was the latest time the Rebbe returned from the Ohel? What day was it?

7. What was the name of the Rebbe’s childhood teacher?

8. What was the Rebbe’s first sefer to be published, and when was it printed?

9. In the years when the Rebbe would teach a new niggun each year, when would he generally teach it?

10. Name all the niggunim the Rebbe taught throughout the years.

Davening

11. Why do we not recite a blessing over prayer? (מגן אברהם סי' ק"ו סק"ד ובפרי מגדים)

12. Why is the “Modim” we recite during Chazaras Hashatz called “Modim Derabonon”? (בית יוסף או"ח סי' קכ"ז)

Parsha

13. Where is the month “Elul” hinted in our parsha? (ספר עץ הדעת טוב לרבינו חיים ויטאל פרשת בא)

IT CAN THUS BE SETTLED

1. On Friday afternoon, 9 Shevat 5730.
2. (1) 5741, (2) 5742.
3. On Shabbos Parshas Yisro, Mevarchim Chodesh Adar, 24 Shevat 5710.
4. During the (actual) trial of the sefarim in the year 5746.
5. Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av 5750.
6. To the best of our knowledge, on Sunday, 5 Elul 5750, the Rebbe returned from the Ohel close to midnight.
7. Reb Zalmen Vilenkin.
8. Hayom Yom, printed in 5703.
9. Early Simchas Torah morning.
10. Tzamah lecha nafshi (5714), Vehi she’amdah (5715), Darkecha Elokeinu (5716), Asader l’seudasa (5716), the long Ki anu amecha (5717), Tzamah lecha nafshi - ech ti (5718), Shamil (5719), Rachamana de’anei (5720), Atah vechartanu (5721), An’im zemiros (5722), Stav ya pitu (5723), the short Ki anu amecha (5724), Hu Elokeinu (5724), Ha’aderes veha’emunah - the French national anthem (5734).
11. Because it does not have specific parameters, as one may add to davening as much as they would like, as the Chazal say: “It would be fitting if one would pray the entire day.”
12. The gemoro quotes different opinions about the language of Modim. The gemoro’s conclusion is that all of them should be incorporated, and this is why it is called “Modim Derabonon” — because it was instituted by many chachomim.
13. The first passuk of parshas Bo: כי אני הכבדתי את לבו ואת לב עבדיו — [For I have hardened] his heart, and the heart of his servants. (Rabbeinu Chaim Vital explains why we have this allusion here.)