What is the Ohel
The Ohel is the resting place of the Lubavitcher Rebbe — Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson — who passed on 3 Tammuz 5754 (1994). Located in Queens, New York, hundreds of thousands of people from around the world visit it every year.
In Chassidic teachings, the resting place of a righteous person is called an "Ohel" — and serves as a gate to pray, request, and connect to the Tzaddik even after his passing from the physical world.
The Rebbe himself — and the Ohel
Even during his lifetime, the Rebbe visited his father-in-law's Ohel — the Rayatz — with extraordinary frequency. He saw these visits as a central pillar of his holy work.
When asked why he didn't move to the Land of Israel, the Rebbe answered:
After his own passing, his Ohel became that same place — the gate through which people continue to turn and receive.
Writing to the Rebbe — "Soul to soul"
"Yechidus" in Chassidic language is a private, personal meeting between a Chassid and the Rebbe — a soul-to-soul encounter, without intermediaries. Visiting the Ohel, and even more so writing to the Rebbe, is considered a form of such Yechidus.
The soul is not bound to place and not tied to time. Whoever turns with true intention — the reaching-out arrives.
What happens to a letter that is sent
Every letter written on this site is printed and physically sent to the Ohel — where it is placed next to the Rebbe's Tzion, as has always been the custom.
Customs for visitors to the Ohel
Those who visit the Ohel in person — there are several accepted customs: