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A Farbrengen (from the Yiddish פארברענגען, meaning "joyous gathering") is a Hasidic gathering. This term is only used by Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidim. It may consist of speeches on Torah subjects, relating of Hasidic stories, and lively Hassidic melodies, with refreshments being served. It is regarded as a time of great holiness. Farbrengens are public events open to non-Hasidim as well.

Occasions when farbrengens are held

Farbrengen are usually held on Shabbos, Yom Tov, or an auspicious day in the Hasidic calendar such as a birthday or yahrtzeit of one of the Chabad Rebbes, or a day in which one the Chabad Rebbes was released from prison. According to the instructions of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson it is also customary for Chasidim to hold a farbrengen with their friends on their birthday. A farbrengen is also held on the occasion of one's engagement and wedding. Thus, farbrengens are held often.

Niggunim

At farbrengens it is customary to sing Hassidic melodies known as niggunim (singular niggun). Chabad tradition contains many hundreds of such tunes, both slow and soul-stirring, and fast and lively. Zemiros are not sung.

Wishing L'chaim

All attending wish L'chaim, blessings of life, to one another. Since the farbrengen often includes discussion about very sensitive matters, with pointed critism, alcohol is consumed in order to lessen the tension among the participants. However, it is consumed only drunk sparingly, as Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson forbade drinking more than four shot glasses of alcohol ("L'chaims").

Formats

Generally speaking, there are three possible formats for a farbrengen:

1. The Rebbe (most recently Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson at 770 in Brooklyn, New York) sits at the head and the Hasidim gather around and listen, saying L'chaim to the Rebbe on small cups of kosher wine. It is not customary for Chabad Rebbes to distribute their shirayim (שיריים--leftovers), to those assembled.

2. A Mashpia or similar community leader leads the farbrengen in a public setting, such as at the synagogue. The role of the speaker is to educate and transmit a Chasidic educational message to the participants.

3. Several Hasidim gather together to discuss matters of divine service in a very intimate, serious, individualised, but informal way. There is no main speaker.

Meaning of a farbrengen

The Alter Rebbe related that a "note fell down from the Heavens," containing the following: "What a Hasidic farbrengen can achieve, even the angel Michoel cannot achieve ... " This power stems from the fact that when G-d, our father, sees that His children are sitting united, He then is aroused with a desire to fulfill all their requests, even those of which they would not be worthy via normal means, such as Michoel, the defending angel of the Jewish people. Indeed, Chasidic tradition includes many stories of people who were saved after they took part in a farbrengen and were blessed.

Source

• Definition of a farbrengen

See also

• Tish

Farbrengens online

• Farbrengens of the Rebbe
• 19 Kislev Farbrengen in Mayanot, Jerusalem
• 19 Kislev Farbrengen in Ottowa
• Farbrengen with Rabbi Y. Shusterman
• Farbrengens in Ohr Tmimimm, Kfar Chabad, The Land of Israel

References

1. Igros Kodesh of the Previous Rebbe, Vol. 3, page 413.

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