Story: “A Rebbe Geit Kein Muhl Nisht Ahvhek”

In honor of Gimmel Tammuz, marking 20 years since the Rebbe’s Histalkus, we present two stories of the Chabad Rebbeim of yore that may help today’s Chassidim find perspective on this somber day, as written by renowned author Rabbi Sholom Dovber Avtzon:

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In 5663 (1903) the Rebbe Rashab delivered a maamar Chassidus. The noted chossid Reb Shmuel Betzalel, known as the RaSHBaTZ, heard some insights in this maamar that he had never heard from the Rebbe Rashab previously. To him, it wasn’t just that the Rebbe said an innovative concept, as in every maamar that the Rebbe says, he reveals a new concept and revelation of elokus. But to him it was much more than that, he felt that in this maamar the Rebbe Rashab revealed a new and deeper level of Chassidus.

Being close to Beis HoRav as the Rebbe Rashab chose him to be the private melamed for his only son, the Frierdiker Rebbe, the Rashbatz remarked, it is connected to the fact that it is now twenty years since the histalkus of the Rebbe Maharash on the 13^th of Tishrei 5643 (1882).

He was alluding to the halachah that if someone becomes an orphan the beis din appoints a guardian to take care of the estate of the deceased. This person becomes the custodian and is empowered to do whatever he feels is in the best interest of the family. Then the halachah is, when the oldest son becomes twenty years of age, he is allowed to deal independently and make his own decisions.

So in essence the RaShBaTZ was saying, now that it is twenty years since the histalkus of the Rebbe Maharash, his son now has the ability of revealing new insights on a total different level.

The Rebbe Rashab replied, “Why are you sending father higher into the heavens (and subsequently further away from us), we need to draw him even closer to us.”

So yes twenty years is a long time and many of our children have never met or seen the Rebbe in a physical sense as we had, however, this is the time to bring the Rebbe closer to us.

But you might say, that is beautiful words, however let us face reality, it isn’t as simple as that. So let me relate to you a second story of that time period.

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                The heart wrenching news of the Rebbe Maharash’s histalkus slowly spread throughout Russia. In 5643 (1882) there weren’t phones or other forms of instant communication all over Russia, so news was spread by word of mouth. The chassidim of Tchernigov first heard about it in middle of Sukkos.

The Rov of that city was the venerable chossid Reb Peretz Chein, and he instructed everyone not to inform his son Reb Dovid Tzvi, known as the RaDaTZ, saying “Ehr veit dos nisht ibertrugen – my son would not survive if he becomes aware of the tragedy.”

Everyone in the city kept mum, especially as any sign of mourning is forbidden on yom tov, but their spirits were also subdued and on Simchas Torah, the RaDaTZ chided someone for not being exuberant in his dancing. Without realizing it, that person replied by letting out a deep sigh and then blurted, “Dir Rebbe is ahvhek – The Rebbe left us.”

Hearing this, the RaDaTZ fainted on the spot. Pandemonium broke out, some began saying Tehillim, while others, doctors included rushed over and tried to revive him, by splashing water over his face, giving him smelling salts and whispering his name in his ear, but all their efforts were to no avail, he wouldn’t awake.

As the minutes turned to an hour, the doctors were becoming concerned that it may cause permanent injury or chas v’sholom even worse.

One of the chassidim turned to see what was the RaDatZ’s father doing. To his surprise, he saw Reb Peretz smiling and continuing with his dancing. Going over to him, he informed Reb Peretz of the doctors’ dire warning and gloomy prognosis.

Hearing that Reb Peretz said, “If that is the situation, go and whisper in his ear, ‘Az a Rebbe geit kein muhl nisht ahvhek – The Rebbe never goes away or leaves his chassidim.’”

Hearing this, the RaDaTz was revived.

So, just as those words of a venerable chossid uplifted and revived his son, so too, may we all take his words to heart and realize the Rebbe never left us. We all know someone, perhaps a family member, friend or an acquaintance that can attest that the Rebbe helped them in a tangible way during these twenty years. Is that not testimony enough?

Practically speaking, let us all resolve, each person in his/her own way to reconnect to the Rebbe. Let us strengthen our commitment to fulfill his directives, whether it be going on mivtzoyim weekly or monthly, or making sure to learn Chitas and Rambam daily.

After yud shevat, the Rebbe stated unequivocally, A faithful shepherd does not forsake his flock. So that definitely applies to himself as well. And if we bring out our connection to the Rebbe in a revealed manner, there is no question that the Rebbe will reciprocate.

May all the tefillos and request of Anash and klal Yisroel be speedily answered in a revealed manner. And may we all merit the fulfillment of the Rebbe’s endeavor of preparing the world for the coming of Moshiach, speedily in our days.