A World Beyond Himself

by Dovid Zaklikowski for Hasidic Archives

For many years, a person’s birthday was often the one occasion when they would have a private audience with the Rebbe. Students were instructed by their mentors to raise questions concerning their service of G-d and to avoid wasting the Rebbe’s time.

The older students would write to seek guidance on how to concentrate during their prayers or how to balance their spiritual endeavors with the Rebbe’s constant encouragement to assist others in their spiritual growth.

Young Reuven, despite his mentors disagreeing with his self-assessment, wrote in his note that he was successful in his Torah studies, was doing well in controlling negative thoughts, and was keeping to the yeshivah’s schedule. However, when it came to his prayers, it was a different story.

Reading the note, the Rebbe took issue with Reuven’s self-absorption and his total preoccupation with himself, which seemed to leave him oblivious to the world around him. The Rebbe asked: “Don’t you have anything else to think about besides Reuven?”

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