“As thousands flocked to 770 for Sunday dollars, the line continued to grow longer and longer. The Rebbe would be standing on his feet handing out dollars for more than four hours straight. At times this would extend past sunset hours, and therefore, in the winter of 5752, a small minyan was arranged for the Rebbe to daven Mincha in Gan Eden Hatachton before the start of the distribution.
“On 14 Shevat, being a guest from Israel where I was a shliach in Yeshiva Toras Emes, I merited to be included in the select few present at one of these especially unique occasions. It was one of the closest, most intimate moments I have ever experienced with the Rebbe.
“There were exactly ten of us crammed into the small space, standing only a few feet away from the Rebbe. It was completely silent, one could hear a pin drop. I was able to hear the Rebbe saying the words of davening. It was very special.
“Shortly after the tefillah, the Rebbe entered the main entrance room for dollars. As he took his place at the special shtender, he suddenly began an unexpected short sicha regarding Erev Rosh Hashanah L’Ilanos, which was totally out of the ordinary.
“As the year progressed, the daily scene in 770 noticeably became more unpredictable.”
Rabbi Eliezer Zaklikovsky
