1.
Why is the brachah on the arba minim “al netilas lulav” and not “al netilas esrog”?
We mention the most visible of the arba minim—the lulav, which is higher than the others.
2.
The Gemara says in Shabbos (56b) that when Shlomo married the daughter of Pharaoh, Malach Gavriel descended from Shomayim and embedded a reed in the ocean floor. Earth began to collect around the reed, growing continuously until it became the city of Rome and the country of Italy.
According to this Gemara, Italy only came into existence in the time of Shlomo Hamelech. How does this fit with the tradition conveyed by the Alter Rebbe (Sefer Haminhagim, p. 65, fn. 5) that when Hashem told Moshe the mitzvah of arba minim, messengers were sent to Italy on a cloud and they brought an esrog from Calabria?
The Talmud Yerushalmi says that this region existed from when the world was created; however, it became flooded in the days of Enosh. Based on this, although the area could not be inhabited, perhaps trees still grew there, and Moshe was therefore able to send messengers there to bring an esrog. Later, Gavriel embedded a reed there and earth gathered around it, allowing it to become a place where cities could be built. (Haoros U’Biurim Oholei Torah, issue 1024, pp. 16–19, based on Igros Kodesh, vol. 17, p. 148)
Yesh Litmoha
3.
When did the Rebbe daven Shacharis, Musaf, and Minchah each one immediately after the next (before 27 Adar Rishon, 5752)?
On the first day of Sukkos, 5752 (1991), after standing for about six hours watching the chassidim pass by and make a brachah on his set of arba minim.
4.
Until which year would the Rebbe farbreng with yeshiva bochurim at a farbrengen known as “Simchas Beis Ha’Shoeivah”?
Until (and including) 5724 (1963).
5.
In the early years, the Rebbe would farbreng in the sukkah. Why did these farbrengens stop?
Because one year the benches (that had been stacked into pyramids) fell, and one of the chassidim present broke his legs.
6.
When and why did the Rebbe instruct all those present to call out three times, “Tzemach, Tzemach, Tzemach”?
The sixth night of Sukkos, 5750 (1989), the night when the ushpizin is the Tzemach Tzedek, in order to hasten the coming of Moshiach (whose name is Tzemach).
7.
When did the Rebbe use the expression, “U’mal’ah ha’aretz farbrengen es Havayah”?
The second night of Sukkos, 5734 (1973).
