Editing Farbrengen (section)

== Saying 'L'chaim' at a Farbrengen ==
'''Expanded topic – [[Mashke]], [[The Mashke Ordinance]]'''

As mentioned, at a Farbrengen (Chassidic gathering) it is customary to raise a glass for 'l'chaim', typically with an alcoholic beverage - mainly vodka - although the Rebbe disapproved of excessive drinking and prohibited bochurim and yungeleit under the age of 40 from drinking more than a reviis (= 86 cc). This ordinance is known among Chabad chassidim as 'gezeiras hamashke' (the mashke decree). An exceptional case occurred at a Farbrengen conducted by the Rebbe on Erev Pesach 5741 (1981) which fell on Shabbos, and since it is customary not to drink wine on the eve of the Seder - they drank water at that Farbrengen.

==== Format of Saying 'L'chaim' at a Farbrengen ====
There are two versions for saying l'chaim:

* "L'chaim tovim ul'shalom" (To good life and peace), and the reason for this blessing - since the first mention of wine drinking in the Torah had negative consequences, which led to the curse of Cham (Noah's son) and the Tree of Knowledge was a grapevine, therefore we bless that this wine should be for good life.
* The Maggid of Mezritch would respond "L'chaim ul'bracha" (To life and blessing), and once at a Farbrengen attended by the Alter Rebbe, he also responded "L'chaim ul'bracha." After the Farbrengen, the chassidim discussed the reason for this specific version, which they heard then for the first time. One of the chassidim said that it might be because "when wine enters, secrets come out," which in divine service means the revelation of emotions, therefore a blessing is needed. And the version is "L'chaim ul'bracha" - the letters spelling "lev-racha" (soft heart).

==== The Sweetening of Judgments in 'L'chaim Ul'bracha' ====
The final letters of "L'chaim" (ם) and the final letter of "ul'bracha" (ה) form the acronym for "mituk hadinim" (sweetening of judgments).