Special for Gimmel Tamuz – The Rebbe and his Shluchim
The following private encounters are brief episodes which give us a fleeting glimpse of the Rebbe’s relationship with Yidden and his Shluchim, as well as his yearning for the Geula. The learn more about the Rebbe visit www.inspiringageneration.com
“The Rebbe would debrief the Shluchim for hours on end, often weeping upon hearing the reports of physical and spiritual persecution”
-The Rebbe’s Shluchim to Russia
Mr. Marvin Goldschmidt, as a representative, presented the Rebbe with the key to his local Chabad House. The following dialogue ensued.
Rebbe: What is this?
Goldschmidt: The key to the Chabad house in Westwood.
Rebbe: For which door?
Goldschmidt: The front door
Rebbe: And the key is mine?
Goldschmidt: Yes!
Rebbe: If so, I say that the door should be open 24 hours-a-day to men, women and children, and this should burst forth to the North, south, east and west!
The Rebbe—A Father
“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.”
– Rabbi Yisroel Meir Lau
“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.“
The Rebbe and Moshiach
”Increasingly through the years, the Rebbe’s emphasis was on Moshiach…. The Rebbe wanted to do something that was far more reaching than any revolution.“
-Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz
In 1992 an eye doctor came to check the Rebbe’s eyes. Interested to take advantage of the rare opportunity to approach the Rebbe, he asked the Rebbe when he was done, ”If so many good things are being done all over the world, why isn’t Moshiach here yet?“
”You know what?“ the Rebbe replied, ”I have the same question! I don’t know why Moshiach is not here yet. But at the same time, I have to say that something must be done.“
The Rebbe added, ”Although we have accomplished so much, it seems that, somehow, there is a little more that can be done. And this is why I don’t let my Chassidim sleep, and I’m constantly urging them to do a little bit more than what they have done until now…”
