Editing Rebbe (section)

=== Functions of a Hasidic rebbe ===
{{Main|Tish (Hasidic celebration)|kvitel}}
[[File:bostonertischbeitar.jpg|thumb|The Bostoner Rebbe ''feert [[Tish (Hasidic celebration)|tish]]'', lit. "runs [a] table" in his synagogue in [[Beitar Illit]]]]

There are some functions that are exclusively the domain of Hasidic rebbes:

A rebbe conducts a ''[[Tish (Hasidic celebration)|tish]]'' ({{langx|yi|פֿירט טיש}}: ''feert tish'', literally, "to run [a] table") or a ''farbrengen''—a communal festive meal with highly mystical overtones—on [[Shabbat]] and other occasions. At a tish, the rebbe distributes ''shirayim'' ({{lit|remnants}}) to the Hasidim seated at or gathered around the table. When a gathering similar to a ''tish'' is led by a rabbi who is not a rebbe (i.e. a [[Mashpia]]), it can be referred to as a ''botte'' (esp. amongst groups from Romania) or ''sheves Achim''.

A rebbe has times when Hasidim (and other petitioners) may come for a private audience. A [[kvitel]] (Yiddish for "note", plural ''kvitlach'') is a note with the name of the petitioner and a short request for which the rebbe is asked to pray. The formula in which a person's name is written is one's own Hebrew name, the son/daughter of one's mother's Hebrew name, such as ''Shimon ben Rivkah'' (Simeon the son of Rebecca). Hasidim believes that rebbes read supernaturally "between the lines" of a ''kvitel'', and in every Hasidic movement there are numerous anecdotes relating how the rebbe saw things that were not written in the ''kvitel''.

In most Hasidic groups, the ''kvitel'' is written by the rebbe's ''[[gabbai]]'' (secretary), however, sometimes the petitioner writes it on his own. Usually, but with some exceptions, a ''pidyon'' (redemption) of cash is customarily handed to the rebbe under the ''kvitel'', but this is not obligatory. This is considered to be the [[Conduit (spiritualism)|conduit]] through which the blessing is given, and a redemption for the soul of the petitioner. ("A gift makes its receiver glad" is given as an explanation: a blessing only comes from a joyous heart.) It is also customary to tip the gabbai, although this too is not obligatory.

Other tasks are not exclusive to Hasidic rebbes but are important roles they play in their community similar to other [[rabbi]]s. These include the leading of prayer on [[Shabbat]] and [[Jewish holidays|Holy Days]], performing [[Mitzvah|mitzvot]] with their Hasidim, and participating in or officiating at weddings, ''[[bris|brit milahs]]'', and other events. Hasidic rebbes also play a central role in the intellectual and social life of their communities, delivering sermons and dialogues and building educational and religious institutions.<ref>{{cite news|title=Vienna Celebrates 'the Most Influential Rabbi of Modern History'|agency=Connection Newspapers|date=May 7, 2014|location=Alexandria, VA|quote=Chabad Tysons Jewish Center will present Paradigm Shift: Transformational Life Teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, a new six-session course by the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute. The course will be offered as part of a series of local activities in Northern Virginia marking 20 years since the passing of "the Rebbe", Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson of righteous memory. The Rebbe was a visionary religious leader who inspired countless individuals during his lifetime and established a global network of educational, social, and religious institutions to revive the post-holocaust Jewish landscape.}}</ref>