Hey Teves: The Rebbe, a Bochur, and Eli Weisel

“The lawyer asked ”My second question is about the books that your father used in his study. Are those books your father’s or they belong to the Chassidim? The Rebbetzin replied “It belongs to the Chassidim because my father belonged to the Chassidim”.

–from the Rebbetzin’s testimony

In honor of the twenty first anniversary of Hey Taves, we would like to present the following accounts that are related to the events that led to the Rebbe’s library being returned to the Chassidim. To see more on this subject Click Here.

The lawyers who represented the Rebbe met with the Rebbe before the actual case.

The following is a part of what was discussed in this first meeting:

Continued in the Extended Article!

“The first thing the Rebbe stressed was that the lawyers make it clear that books are not a personal heritage of the previous Rebbe and this should be explained and should be understood according to ”human logic.“ The Rebbe stressed many times that their desire to dedicate themselves to the Rebbe’s will should be in line with nature, and the society’s system. The Rebbe told them, ”I want you to do your work – not as a Chassid, but as a lawyer.“

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When the news came to 770 that we won the court case, everyone was elated. The following is from a diary of a student who was learning in 770:

”When the news came that we won the court case, it was 11:40 in the morning and we were sitting in the upstairs Zal (study hall). For me, to picture what went on in these moments is impossible. We all when outside 770 and began dancing and singing ‘Didan Notzach.’ Before I knew it, Bachurim got handle of bottles of Mashke and guys were dancing and making flips!

Chassidim from Crown Heights began crowding at 770. A bunch of mitzvah tanks were driving around playing ‘Didan Notzach’

on the loud speakers. When the Rebbe’s secretaries came out of the Rebbe’s room, there was tremendous joy on their faces. Piamenta and Eli Lipsker were playing with their bands. In the middle of the dancing, someone got up and made the bracha of Shehechiyanu.“

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During the court case, part of the testimonies involved defining the Rebbe-Chassid relationship (it was important for understanding ownership of the books). There were three people chosen to participate and get the message across that the Rebbe and Chassid are intimately connected. One of the three was Eli Wiesel. The following is an excerpt from his testimony:

”Strangely enough, the choice of (involvement) is made by the Chassid and not the Rebbe. It is not the Rebbe who chooses the Chassid. It is the Chassid who chooses the Rebbe. But once the choice is made, it is boundless.

It is total loyalty. And therefore, the Rebbe owes the Chassid total loyalty. So, for the community, the Rebbe must have total generosity and compassion. Also, he has even more responsibility. That’s why he is a Rebbe.”

The following is part of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka’s testimony regarding the ownership of the library,

The following is the back-and-forth between the lawyer and the Rebbetzin:

The lawyer: Why did your father have books?

The Rebbetzin: This was his life. His main goal was to spread Judaism.

The lawyer: It’s important for me to know – how do you know that the reason he collected the books was to spread Judaism)?

The Rebbetzin: I understand very well. This was his personality, this is what he grew up with, and this is what he lives with.

The lawyer: When your father was alive, who did you think the library belonged to?

The Rebbetzin: I never thought about it then.

The lawyer: Did your father ever tell you who the books belonged to?

The Rebbetzin: No, I never heard about it from my father.

The lawyer: My second question is about the books that your father used in his study. Are those books your father’s or they belong to the Chassidim?

The Rebbetzin: It belongs to the Chassidim because my father belonged to the Chassidim.

The Rebbetzin’s response gave tremendous insight into the true nature of the relationship between the Rebbe and his Chassidim. There is only a perceived separation – they are strongly united at their essence.