“It’s a Matter of Life and Death. I Need an Answer Now.”

“I have been to many funerals in my life, but I have never seen someone cry with as much pain as the Rebbe cried for that soldier.” The following is an unbelievable encounter that one of the Rebbe’s Secretaries experienced with Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka OBM in the winter of 1966. Its an excerpt from the new book on the Rebbe “The Rebbe Inspiring a Generation” www.inspiringageneration.com

“It was a winter morning in 1966, about 3:30 A.M. The Rebbe had left for home already—an early night considering that there had been no yechidus that night.

Just then a woman frantically phoned the Rebbe’s mazkirus (secretariat), saying that her little baby had just fallen and was hurt badly. The doctors were arguing over procedures because of the baby’s critical condition. She desperately needed a bracha (blessing) and advice from the Rebbe on what to do.

The Rebbe’s secretary explained apologetically that it would have to wait until the morning and that he would ask the Rebbe first thing.

The mother pleaded, “It’s a matter of life and death. I need an answer now.”

The secretary decided to dial the Rebbe’s house, and if the phone would be answered, he would ask mechila (forgiveness) for calling so late. He dialed uneasily, worried that it was improper; the Rebbetzin answered.

“Ver ret (who is talking)?”

The secretary gave his name and immediately said, “I am sorry for calling so late,” and proceeded to give his mechila speech – how “it was a chutzpah (nerve) to call at such a late hour, but there is a lady here in desperate need. She says it is a matter of life and death.” He described her plight.

The Rebbetzin exclaimed, “Why are you asking mechila? Adaraba (on the contrary), my husband and I were sent to this world to serve Yidden twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. By your calling us you are helping us fulfill our shlichus.”