How to nullify the evil spirit

In the week following the victory of the seforim on 5 Teves 5747, the Rebbe delivered a sicha every day to the Chassidim.

On the 11th of Teves, the Rebbe related the original story of "Didan Notzach" from the Midrash:

An Amora was once learning near a stream and a good spirit that had dwelt in the stream for many years alerted him that an evil spirit was planning to move in to cause trouble for the townspeople.The spirit instructed the amora to gather the townspeople at the stream the next morning and to bring along many noisemakers.

Then, when they notice violent movement in the water, they should bang their noisemakers and shout “Didan Notzach!” until they see a drop of blood on the water surface, signifying the demise of the evil spirit.


The Rebbe continued:

Here comes the hora’a from the Midrash: How can we be victorious over the “evil spirit”? When Yidden gather together to help each other - with the help of Hashem - and everyone shturems with all the noisemakers in their hands, and screams "Didan Notzach, Didan Notzach!" Without this, they may not have won over the evil spirit. But by shouting Didan Notzach, Didan Notzach as per the will of Nossi Doreinu, we are able to overcome and completely eradicate the spirit until we see a drop of blood on the water - evidence that the energy of the evil spirit was nullified.

(11 Teves 5747)