Long Distance Honor

by Dovid Zaklikowski for Hasidic Archives

As a young child, Simcha Zirkind was sent by his parents, Max and Ada Zirkind, to study at the United Lubavitcher Yeshivoth in Brooklyn. When he turned seventeen, he wished to continue his studies at the yeshivah in Montreal. However, his father had other plans. Max, who owned a butcher shop, wanted his son to help him in the store.

The business was struggling and couldn’t afford to hire another employee, so Max impressed upon his son that he was the store’s only hope for survival.

That summer, Simcha walked around filled with anxiety. He longed to continue learning in yeshivah and didn’t want to enter the workforce at such a young age. Noticing his distress, someone suggested that he write to the Rebbe.

The Rebbe advised that Simcha ask his father to come for a private audience. Max agreed. During the audience, the Rebbe asked him directly whether he would allow his son to continue his studies in Montreal.

“And what about honoring one’s parent?” Max asked. “How will my son fulfill the mitzvah while he’s in Montreal?”

The Rebbe responded: “If you instruct your son to go to Montreal to continue his Torah studies, then by following your wishes, he will be fulfilling the mitzvah of honoring his parent.”

After the audience, Max told his son that he would gladly permit him to go.

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