The Rebbe Maharash: Difference between revisions

Throughout the delivery, the Tzemach Tzedek stood in the room with his face turned to the wall, and instructed his sons — Rabbi Baruch Shalom, Rabbi Yehudah Leib (the Maharil of Kapust), and Rabbi Chaim Schneur Zalman of Liadi — to sit in one of the rooms and recite specific chapters of Psalms.<ref>The chapters recited were: 1, 2, 3, 4, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 33, 47, 72, 86, 90, 91, 92, 93, 104, 112, 113, and from chapter 126 to the end.</ref> He gave special instructions to the midwife regarding the birth: that she immerse in the ritual bath (''mikveh'') before receiving the infant, and that she dress the newborn in a specific piece of white fabric that he provided.

On the day of the circumcision (''bris milah''), the Tzemach Tzedek instructed everyone to rise early for the morning prayer. By ten o'clock all the family members had already arrived, led by the uncle Rabbi Chaim Avraham — the son of the [[Alter Rebbe]] (Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of Chabad). When it neared two o'clock and the Tzemach Tzedek was still secluded in his room, those gathered began to grow anxious. Rabbi Chaim Avraham sighed and remarked: "He is occupied with guests more distinguished than I." After another half-hour, the Rebbe emerged from his room holding a red handkerchief, his face pale and his eyes moist with tears, and declared: "The circumcision will take place today" — and after a few moments withdrew again into his room.