Weekly Story: Your Blessing Is Still Helpful

by Rabbi Sholom DovBer Avtzon

Being that this Sunday is Beis Nissan, the Yahrzeit of the Rebbe Rashab, I am posting the following timely story about him, a story with which one can farbreng on.  I recently heard it from Rabbi Shmuel Heber, who related it in the name of his father Reb Tzvi a”h and Reb Raphael Kahan a”h.

It is these (little) anecdotes and stories which people share with me that enable me to continue writing this column with authentic yet unpublished stories and I extend a request to all of you to please share with me the stories and anecdotes that you heard as well. As always your feedback and comments are most welcomed, and should be sent to my email avtzonbooks@gmail.com Thank you.

When the Frierdiker Rebbe was young (I don’t know if these means a few years old or around his bar mitzvah), the doctors informed his parents, the Rebbe Rashab and Rebbetzin Shterna Sara, that he needs to undergo an operation.

The Rebbe Rashab accompanied him to the hospital (or the office) and was with him the entire time of the pre-operation. When the time came to bring the Frierdiker Rebbe into the operating room, the doctor informed the Rebbe Rashab, that he cannot go pass the doorway. He cannot enter the room.

The Rebbe Rashab responded, “I must be with him,” and there was a stalemate. The Rebbe desired to be with his son during the operation and intercede on High on his behalf, while the doctor stated that the operation cannot and would not proceed, if anyone besides the medical staff and patient are in the room.

The chossid Reb Monya Momenzon was accompanying the Rebbe Rashab and he said to the Rebbe Rashab, “Rebbe [our sages inform us], zuchin lo l’adam shelo b’fuhnouv – one may do something beneficial for someone else even if it is not in his presence [and it is considered as if he is in that person’s presence.”  Evidently he was saying, the Rebbe can give his son all the brochos and yeshuos even when they are physically separated.

The Rebbe Rashab replied, “Monya heichiyuhseini – Monya you revived me” and he then allowed the doctor to proceed, while he remained outside the operating room.

As we enter chodesh Nissan, let us strengthen our hiskashrus (connection) with the Rebbe.

Being that this Beis Nissan, is the beginning of the centennial year since the histalkus of the Rebbe Rashab, I hope bezras Hashem to proceed with writing his biography, some ten chapters have already been written. Whoever can help in this endeavor please contact me, it would be beneficial. Hopefully the draft would be completed (or nearly completed) by Beis Nissan of next year.

Rabbi Avtzon is a veteran mechanech and the author of numerous books on the Rebbeim and their chassidim. His most recent publication, Farbreng With Reb Binyomin Kletzker is now in the stores. He is available to farbreng in your community and can be contacted at avtonbooks@gmail.com