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Imrei Yosef: Together



The 6th of Iyar is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Yosef Meir Weiss, Admor of Spinka, disciple of Rav Yitzchak Eizik of Ziditchov and of Rav Chaim of Sanz, author of Imrei Yosef (1838-1909)

On years when Pesach falls out Motzei Shabbat, even Chassidim daven Shacharit Shabbos morning very early. It was one such year by the Imrei Yosef of Spinka. When the Chassidim finished davening early Shabbos morning, it was time for them to go home for the seuda and bitul chametz. 

But the Rebbe suggested to the Chassidim that instead of having their seuda at home, they should have a tish right there in Shul. Although many of the chassidim were nervous about having all that chometz around then, they went ahead and made a tish then with singing.

After benching, the Chassidim were ready to go home, but the Rebbe said they should all do “Kol Chamira v’chamia” together as a tzibur. Although this is not usually done obviously, everyone did it together.

After the powerful “kol chamira,” there was one Litvak there who was a guest who was thinking to himself how strange these chassidim are getting. They’re turning this halachic activity into some sort of davar shebekedusha, for which you need a minyan!

The Rebbe called over this man and said, “I know what your thinking, and don’t worry. I know one doesn’t need a minyan for bitul chametz. But you know when we’re mevatel the chametz, we’re really trying to beat and be mevatel our yetzer hara. And it’s so hard to beat the yetzer hara. You need to do it together. Each person needs chizuk from his chaverim it overcoming the yetzer hara. And I’ve always wanted to do the bitul chametz together for that reason, but usually people are so busy erev Pesach, there’s no chance for people to do it together. But this year, where erev Pesach is Shabbos and people aren’t in such a rush, this was the perfect opportunity to be mevatel the chametz together.”Imrei Yosef

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