Weekly Story: Yud Aleph Nissan

by Rabbi Sholom DovBer Avtzon

As this Wednesday is 120 years since the Rebbe‘s neshoma descended into this world, Jews will commemorate and celebrate the day, with the intent of bringing the Rebbe’s fervent desire to fruition: to elevate the world and bring about the ultimate redemption with Moshiach tzidkeinu.

With that in mind, I chose not to write a miracle story; as the recognition of the Rebbe’s greatness is not the objective, and no one needs any convincing. Instead, I chose to mention some stories, as I heard from mashpiim farbreng, to bring to our attention the deep love and concern the Rebbe has for each Tomim and member of his community, and for every Jew.

That in turn should bring out the love every chossid has for the Rebbe, to the extent that it would be noticeable in our thoughts, actions and speech.

Are You Transforming a Bochur Into A Nurse?

I heard the following story from my mechutan, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schwei sheyichye, concerning an answer a close friend of his, received from the Rebbe.

In the early Mem’s (1980’s), that person’s father decided to send his son to the Lubavitch Yeshiva in Montreal. He explained to his son, he thinks he will benefit from the shiurim of certain members of the faculty. Additionally, his mother was then living in Montreal, and she was alone, so on Fridays and sometimes in your spare time, you would visit her and see how she was doing.

So the boy packed his belongings and went to Montreal, and was happy there. As in all yeshivos, the students come home for part of Tishrei, and he was planning on leaving most of his belongings there, to use them when he will return after the yomim tovim. But his father called and instructed him to pack everything, as he might not return.

The boy was surprised because he felt he was making good progress in his studies and was adjusting just fine to the new environment but obviously did as he was instructed. When he came home, his father didn’t discuss it, but after Sukkos, he said, you will not be returning to the yeshiva in Montreal.

Seeing the surprise and perhaps some disappointment on his son’s face, he explained. Yes, you were doing well there, and we are proud of you. However, after you went, I wrote a tzeitel (note) to the Rebbe and mentioned the two reasons, I decided to send you to Montreal.

The Rebbe replied, “Did you sent a bochur to become a nurse?”

So although, the Rebbe didn’t say it was wrong, and I could have explained that is not what I wanted or intended you to do, especially as my mother didn’t need a nurse then, [She only began needed one about four months later.] But if the Rebbe asked a question, that means the Rebbe is not completely happy with the decision I made, and he fears that by imposing on you to do the mitzvah of honoring my mother, your grandmother, might interfere with your tafkid of being a bochur which is to sit and learn.

Therefore, I decided to take you out of Montreal.

The message is a clear one, we as Tmimim or as members of dor shivi have a special tafkid (purpose) to do, and before we do something let us think for a moment is this thing that I am considering to do part of that tafkid or not. If it is not, then perhaps as important as it may be, it may be taking away from my tafkid, and therefore it shouldn’t be done.

Were all my efforts in order that he works in the family business?

A bochur was learning in Kfar Chabad and informed the mashpia, Reb Shlomo Chaim Kesselman, that recently he has begun to have some doubts in Emunah (faith). Reb Shlomo Chaim told him, such questions should be asked directly to the Rebbe. However, until the Rebbe answers, you should continue fulfilling the mitzvos, even though you have your questions.

The bochur did as he was advised, but as weeks passed by he was becoming disappointed, the Rebbe did not reply. Meanwhile, he continued with his regular yeshiva schedule and Reb Shlomo Chaim in his farbrengens brought out certain thoughts that gave this bochur what to think about. Some months later, he informed the mashpia that everything is now good, he has no more doubts.

A few evenings later, Reb Shlom Chaim asked the bochur to come to his house for a cup of tea. The bochur wasn’t surprised as the mashpia often invited individual bochurim to talk to them over a cup of tea.

During their conversation, Reb Shlomo Chaim sensed that the bochur was perturbed that the Rebbe didn’t answer his letter, and he said, I would like to share something with you. He brought out a letter that the Rebbe recently wrote to him, and it was concerning that bochur. The Rebbe wrote, This bochur’s father has a business and he wrote to me that he feels that he is becoming older and will not be able to manage the business on his own for many years. So he wants his son, the one that is learning in your yeshiva, to come home and learn the trade and eventually take it over.

The Rebbe concludes, Is the purpose of all the effort I invested from Above and below to help him, that he takes over the store. He has a greater mission in life.

The person is now a shliach in Europe.

Once again the messages are clear:

• We have an unique mission that the Rebbeim trusted us with: That we should devote ourselves to spreading Torah and mitzvos, as they are illuminated by the light of Chassidus.
• And even if we don’t see or receive the Rebbe’s answer to our question, that doesn’t mean that he is not thinking about us, perhaps he has his reason to respond in a different way.

You Don’t Have To Remind Me About Him, I shed Tears Every day On His Behalf

This happened around 5715 (1955) in the early years of the Rebbe’s nesius. A bochur from a chassidishe family became disillusioned and stopped being observant. His parents and friends were shocked and dismayed and although they tried to talk to him, nothing changed.

When his father was in a yechidus, he requested that the Rebbe thinks about his son, and that the Rebbe’s thoughts will shine into his neshoma and arouse him.

The Rebbe replied, “You Don’t Have To Remind Me About Him, I shed Tears Every Day On His Behalf.”

Some time passed by and one day in 770, the Rebbe asked one of the secretaries, “What is that boy’s mother’s name?” He then entered his room.

Some months later, the boy met one of his former friends and told him, “A while ago I was driving on the highway, and I must have drowsed off as I suddenly realized I was airborne. My car landed in a deep ditch on the side of the road and was totaled. As you can see, Boruch Hashem, I wasn’t injured too badly, which according to the rescuers was a miracle, and I am now completely healthy.

In those few seconds, I realized my folly in the lifestyle I chose and swore that if I come out of this I will change.

His friend asked, what time did the accident happen?

After a few more questions, he informed him, the reason I asked for the time and date, etc., is because on that day, when the Rebbe entered 770, he asked about you. Evidently, he sensed you were in danger and was there to help you in your time of need.

Hearing this from his friend and then verifying it, made a tremendous impact on him.

The lesson is self-evident.

So on this Yud Aleph Nissan, 120 years since his neshoma came to elevate the world and help countless of individuals, us included, it is indeed a time to rejoice.

Let us strengthen our hiskashrus by learning his teaching and fulfilling his directives, and may all of Israel merit the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu, so that we can bring the korbon Pesach in the third Beis Hamikdash, this year.

This weeks post is l’zechus the complete and immediate refuah of my sister Chaya Rivkah bas Cheyena and all those in need of a brocha

Rabbi Avtzon is a veteran mechanech and the author of numerous books on the Rebbeim and their chassidim. He can be contacted at avtzonbooks@gmail.com