The following is part two of a fascinating encounters that Daniel a member of the Chabad house in Antwerp experienced with the Rebbe, special thanks to Rabbi Shabtai Slavaticki and the editorial staff of the Avner institute for putting this together, to learn more about the Rebbe Visit: www.portraitofaleader.blogspot.com
But I Have a Girlfriend Who is Not Jewish?
The following is part two of a fascinating encounters that Daniel a member of the Chabad house in Antwerp experienced with the Rebbe, special thanks to Rabbi Shabtai Slavaticki and the editorial staff of the Avner institute for putting this together, to learn more about the Rebbe Visit: www.portraitofaleader.blogspot.com
An Overview
In Part 1, “Daniel,” a Baal Teshuva, has embraced Jewish observance. Eagerly taking on the mitzvoth, he has severed ties with his past life – except one: a Gentile girlfriend. He is torn between wanting to marry her yet wanting to adhere to the tenets of his faith. Finally, revealing his agony to a trusted rabbi and friend, he is advised to see the Rebbe.
Rabbi Slavaticki relates:
Sunday in 770, Hundreds of people form a patient line, lasting hours.
Although all of the rivers of the world flow into the ocean, the ocean never becomes full. Each and every river is different. Yet each and every river finds itself drawn in the same direction, longing to pour itself out.
So too, every individual is different. Each person follows a different path in life – his or her own problems, questions, thoughts — yet all are attracted to the same “head.” The Rebbe greets everyone with the same love, without distinction between great and small. People are serious as they await their turn, hearts pounding.
Daniel is also solemn as he recites Tehillim (Psalms) and practices (for the umpteenth time) the words he is planning to say to the Rebbe.
The line moves slowly as Daniel inches closer. Up the stairs, turning the corner, finally he has reached the “Lower Gan Eden.” And then, Daniel finds himself face to face with the Rebbe.
“At first,” he told me afterward, “the only thing I could see was the Rebbe’s holy eyes. The Rebbe looked deep inside of me. All the words I’d prepared flew right out of my head. In the Rebbe’s presence, my mind stopped working. I felt completely
Exposed and transparent.
”I could not utter a sound. The Rebbe held out a dollar but when I tried to take it, he would not let go. For a long moment we stood there like that, both of us holding opposite ends of the dollar bill. The whole time the Rebbe kept gazing at me, a look filled with kindness and love. I could feel myself calming down.“
Daniel described what followed.
”I have a problem,“ he blurted.
The Rebbe tilted his head slightly.
”I’ve started to become more observant,“ Daniel explained, ”but I have a girlfriend who isn’t Jewish and I’m planning on marrying her.“
Daniel fell silent; what else could he say? Mere words could not express the turbulence of his emotions, yet he sensed that the Rebbe understood exactly what he meant, what was going on inside.
Daniel braced himself for a rebuke. He expected to be reprimanded, to be told by the Rebbe how grave a transgression it was to intermarry. Surely, the Rebbe would say something about Gehinnom and Gan Eden, as did the non-Chabad rabbis Daniel had consulted.
But the Rebbe said nothing. His holy face was serious, yet there was an imperceptible smile on his lips.
”I envy you,“ he finally said.
At first, Daniel could not quite grasp the meaning. All kinds of thoughts ran through his head: The Rebbe is holy of holies; I am small and insignificant. The Rebbe, who is on the highest spiritual plane, is envious of me—someone on the lowest?
”I can’t remember the Rebbe’s exact words,“ Daniel told me, ”but their meaning was indelibly marked on my soul.“
”He said, ‘There are many ladders in life; the ladder is the individual’s free will. The Holy One, Blessed Be He, gives every person free will, which is a ladder reaching all the way to heaven.
The test you are facing is a challenge. It will elevate you to the greatest heights.
“’I personally,’ the Rebbe said, ‘have never been presented with this test.
”’If G-d gives you a challenge, it means He believes you can overcome it. He is giving you the strength to withstand the test and to succeed.’ Only then did the Rebbe relinquish the dollar bill and allow me to take it.
“I’m not sure what happened next, but a few seconds later I found myself in a corner of 770 crying like a baby. I could feel the tears cleansing me, washing away all the dirt.
”Someone came over and gently asked me if I wanted a drink. Without waiting for a reply he handed me small bottle of water. I took a sip and felt better.
“I returned to Belgium and became another person entirely. My encounter with the Rebbe totally transformed my life.”
Daniel had taken the challenge. He ascended the ladder. Today, he lives as a full-fledged Jew in Eretz Yisroel, where is he raising a fine Chasidic family. And the analogy is understood.
His Own Ladder
Daniel was made to understand that life’s difficulties are ladders leading upward, that trials and tribulations are merely challenges. There is no other way to ascend. Even if the ladder appears crooked or shaky, it is still the only way up.
whats going on...
why did i have my kid come over to me and ask me what a girlfriend is? Is this not a chabad clean website that i could trust my kids on???
an educator for many years
i feel sorry for both you and your child, if u are bringing him up in such a narrow minded way u are bound to have huge problems with him as he grows up. sit him down, have a chat, explain to him how it works in the non-religious world and how it works in a chassidish environment. Use this as a learning curve and he will respect u and ur beliefs, try and hide him and he will rebel. this is true with many different aspects of life. Good Luck.
sarah
what a shame “whats going on….”
you missed the point of the whole article.
Anonymous
In answer to whats going on…:
People like you need help sorting out mental health issues with religious ones.
HELLOOOO!!!
I can’t believe what I read.(first comment)How old are her kids? If they are young they would not be reading or understanding this article. Goodness me, some people make themselves out to be so holy!!!!
me
In response to comment #1 why are you allowing your children go on the internet alone in the first place.
......
To comment number one, a rebbe story is one to cherish not rebuke
Kop Doktar
whats going on… in case you don’t know, or have “trouble” explaining, a “girlfriend” is a friend who is a girl. Is there a problem with that?? Does your kid think it is weird to have a friend who is a girl??!! Is there anything “unclean” about this word / expression?? Would you be more comfortable if the article called the girlfriend “a female friend”??
wow!
Wow amazing story, very inspiring! I wish i could have gotten a chance to meet the Rebbe.
Rabbi Z.Levy
Mee to! thank you for posting
I wish i could have gotten a chance to meet the Rebbe!
Newcomer who is disappointed
I think #1 has a good point–it’s not that the word “girlfriend” is mentioned in the middle of the story—it is the TITLE. Why is it necessary, on a Lubavitcher website, for the title to sound so immodest, to be eye catching and provocative?
I certainly wouldn’t say he/she has “mental health issues” if his child is bh sheltered enough that he/she doesn’t know what a girlfriend is! After all, he is not reading aol news or yahoo–this is a supposedly lubavitch site.
Above all, I am saddened to see the lack of respect for those who do maintain these high levels of tznius. Why the need to bash so much? Has this hit a raw nerve?
To WHAT S GOING ON:
To WHAT’S GOING ON:
No this IS NOT a Chabad Clean website! You haven’t realized that by now??? I would NEVER let my children, read this site alone on their own!!
This list could go on and on, but I’ve read about a man exposing himself, about a man that was shot down dead while standing naked on a balcony, I’ve read about thefts, and other crazy happenings. All on this said site. While it’s great for aduts to know whats going on, it’s not a childrens website!
And really I’m surprised you haven’t learned that by now. I think most sites out there are not kosher for children. Even this one. And I love Crownheightsinfo!!
annonymis
What are you peoples issues you dont have to let your kids go on this web site its normal imformation on whast going on in the world abveasly if you go on here you aprreciate it so you dont have to allow your children to go on but dont you think you want to find out all this onfo from somewere??
Ghetto Mentality
If you think that the word “girlfriend” is in anyway inapropriate for anyone of any age you need to seek help
This is a great story about a common ongoing issue.
What kind of example do you think it shows to generate some of the above comments? Do you think all Jews will now rush into the unwelcoming arms of the Chabad community if they expect this kind of reception?
I wish the Rebbe were here. Ask yourself what he might say. oh yeah, the answer is in the story.
Try a lot harder to emulate his wisdom and yiddishekeit before you make foolish comments about what is “clean” and unfit for viewing. If you find this or any other site so offensive, simply don’t look, but do not judge others who choose to do so.