Sunday, Chof Daled Tammuz, 5768
Sunday morning revile was 5:30 am.
After mikvah and mezonos, we went straight to the Kosel for Shacharis.
We then ate quick breakfast, and heard to the "Ir David" tunnels. Once there, we split into three groups, and got special tours in "English".
It's a very long tunnel that used to carry water to Yerushalayim in the times of Chizkia. The place still has water flowing, so armed with our water shoes, we proceeded on the 45 minute hike. It was a lot of fun, and claustrophobic at that. But b"h we all made it trough...
From there we went to pick up our belongings at the dormitories and went straight on the busess. What came next wasn't expected by anyone. Even those that always for some odd reason know where were going next. We pulled up at the Kneset building. Rabbi Chaim Kaplan, who was there with a few supporters, explained to us the reason behind our visit. He said that we came in order to meet with a frum knesset member, Yuri Elshtein who is a very good friend and supporter of Chabad, and he is interesting in meeting our unique group. So after many security checks, and getting all our cameras and (even) flashlight confiscated, we entered the building. A guide gave us a tour of the place. Then we went to a special designated room for the meeting. After we were all seated, he arrived and got a standing ovation. He started by telling us his life's story, how he used to live in Russia, and got arrested and imprisoned for fighting to be Jewish. He also told us how his first contact with Yidishkeit was Lubavitch there, under the noses of the communists. He told us how the Chasidim took care of his wife while he was sitting in jail.
He explained to us the importance of the work that Shluchim do, and why its different from other organizations.
Though he never met the Rebbe, he told us many personal stories how he was affected by the Rebbes Ahavas yisroel.
It was quite an amusing event.
We then proceed to yad vashem. There again we split into three groups. We all got headphones, in order to hear the guide clearly, due to the strong masses of people.
It was very inspiring and powerful.
We spent there quite some time, 'till the museum closed.
Mincha we davened in Heichal Menachem on geula street. Then everyone got 25 shekel to spend on anything they wanted. For supper, everyone chose their own means to satisfy their hunger.
Maariv was davened in 770 of Ramat Shlomo.
The ride back, well you guessed it, you could hear a pin drop...

Shabbos, Chof Gimmel Tammuz, 5768
Revile was earlier than usual due to the fact that it was Shabbos Mevorchim.
Tehilim we said in the dining room, and mezonos was also served there.
From there we went straight to the Tzemach Tzedek Shul for Chasidus and Shacharis.
Being that the anash minyan was happening, we went to the room downstairs, to learn Chassidus. Everybody learnt the Maamer "Hecholtzu" of the Rebbe. As usual everybody did it baal peh. Due to the fact that there was a very big kol torah, many Baalei Batim came to join in the learning. It was a very geshmakeh Seder Chasidus.
Once we finished the Maamer, we went upstairs for Shacharis. Zalmen Traxler was Chazan, and Yossi Hubner lained.
Seudas shabbos was in our dining room. Rabbi chaim kaplan and his family joined us again for the meal. Rabbi Avrohom Shemtov arrived in middle, after finishing the Farbrengen at the Tzemach Tzedek Shul. He started the Farbrengen by stating that besides the fact that he is very excited and emotional that he finds himself with shluchim's children,
Farbrenging with us at the Kosel is even more inspiring. He explained that as Shluchim, its a big Achraius wherever we go. Whatever we say or do. Being a Shliach is not just doing what the Rebbe says. It works the other way around. If our entire Mehus is being Shluchim of the Rebbe, then automatically everything we say and do is work for the Rebbe. Plus, he added, this that we find ourselves a few meters from the Kosel, in Yerushalayim, is not just for a "Shabaton getaway". We are here in a mission, to fill Yerushalayim with the Rebbe’s message and teachings. Rabbi Shemtov went on to explain, the importance of keeping to every single part of the Yeshivahs day schedule. He said over a story a few stories of the rebbe, regarding camp gan israel, n.y, how the rebbe always stressed the importance of camps schedule, even playing sports. All in a chasidishe way. And thought this is a Yeshivas Kayitz, its still a 'snif' of the original... Which implies that all of the Rebbe’s hoiroos and brochos apply to here as well.
A few hours later, being that many bochurim werent tested yet on the Maamer, and others had to go visit relatives, it was decided to make a break. K'muvon vegam poshut that the staff continued farbrenging with Rabbi Shemtov. When the bochurim came back, tey where greeted with a scene of Rabbi Shemtov and the staff dancing very lebedik to the nigun of ashreinu...
Spontaneously, everyone joined. It took a while to sit everyone down, in order to continue with the farbrengen. Rabbi Shemtov spoke more about personal stories he had with the Rebbe regarding camp and shlichus.
The dancing started again, this time even more lebedik. People walking down to the Kosel, where greeted by a very unique scene, over 100 bochurim, singing and dancing on a Shabbos afternoon...
It came time to Daven Mincha, so off we went, still singing and dancing, to the Kosel Hamaravi. There, we were joined by other yiden, and we caused quite a tumult. After Mincha, we had a second round of Seder Nigunim, led by hatomim Levi Itkin. After maariv, Reb Sonny Khan addressed the crowd.
When we cam e back up for Havdla, we were told that right after, we are to go get our water backpacks because we are going on a Motzai Shabbos trip.
We walked through Shaar Yafo, and went up to the walls of the old the old city. From up there, you get a very good view of the entire city. Due to the fast winds and high altitudes, quite a bunch of yarmulkas and hats, went flying towards the Armenian side...
By the end of the tour, quite a large number of people had shirts over their heads.
We then proceeded to the Cardo, were we sang some more songs, while the pizza cooled off. This again was also another attraction for tourists.
Lights out was in full fledge due to the fact that every less minute of sleep would affect the coming days events.

Friday, Chof Beis Tammuz, 5768
Friday morning was naturally very hectic. We woke up at 4:30 in the morning. After going to mikvah and finishing last touches of packing, we headed for our brand new coach buses, full of anxiety and excitement. Stocked with lots of water, suits, hatboxes, food, and pillows, our bus was having a hard time going down the mountains of tzfas. But nobody seemed to notice due to overdose of excitement. About an hour into our trip, one of the buses had to take a rest. Then, after a quick checkup, it was decided that our bus wasn’t strong enough to handle the trip. So we ordered a new bus. In the meantime, we ate breakfast, and sang some nigunim on the floor of the gas station store. Quite a scene at 6 AM!
The bus arrived, and we were on our way. After some time, we arrived in Kiryat Gat. We pulled up to a parking lot, where there were 2 buses parked. Looked like they were waiting for us. Oh! Don’t tell me our buses broke down again..!
Ok. It happens. As we start going up, we notice that this is not an average bus. One sec... Is this on of those infamous bullet proof buses?
Are we really going to Chevron? Oh yes! I was told that this is the first time in YK history that we are going to chevron. This is really a surprise! After passing a few roadblocks, we arrived to Meoras Hamachpelah. There we davened shacharis, and as usual, attracting a crowd of tourists. We then ate lunch, while watching arabs getting searched. Quite appetizing. Following that, we went on a tour of chevron. We started at a place called "Tel Rumeda", were we saw a new neighborhood. From there we went to Rebbetzin Menucha Rochel's kever, and the Shliach Danny Cohen, gave a us a beautiful tour, of the area. After visiting some shuls, walking in the streets singing shluchei adoneinu, and turning over the whole chevron, we boarded out buses. This time, to kever Rochel. When we arrived there, the gate by the road block was broken. After some negotiations, the soldiers let us try opening the gate by force. What a scene, all the staff pulling and shoving the fence. It finally moved, and we were able to go in.
We had to do it very quick, upon orders of the IDF.
From there we went to Yerushalayim, arriving at our sleeping quarters, Yeshivat Hakotel. Each few Bochurim got their own apartment. We got ready for Shabbos, and right away we went to the Kosel for a group picture. We naturally attracted a very big crowd of tourists and non tourists alike.
From there we met our tour-guide, a fellow by the name of Barnea. He’s quite a spiritual fellow. Practically every stone he sees, he quotes another Posuk from Tanach. He took us to the Arab quarter, to show us all the different Shuls, Yeshivos and homes that are located smack in middle of the Arabs, poshut merisrus nefesh. On one of the houses, we went to the roof, where we were able to see a perfect view of Har Habayis. We practically saw the entire old city...
We proceeded to the Kosel. A staff member took all our cameras and water bottles to the dormitories.
After Davening Mincha, we sat and formed a massive circle, right in middle of all the Minyonim. We started seder nigunim. As nigunim after nigunim were being sung, the masses were just getting bigger and bigger. It was too amazingly inspiring to describe! Hatomim Chezky Altein was Chazan for Kabolas Shabbos. We marched back to Yeshivah, singing all the way back.
By the meal, Hatomim Dovid Lew, Atlanta Georgia, said over a few stories from his Chabad House. Then Rabbi Chaim Kaplan spoke, Thereby starting the farbrengen.
A few hours later, we headed on the dormitories to go chap a dreml. Morgen is Shabbos Mevorchim...

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