Weekly Story: A Farbrengen Is the Greatest Antidote

A chossid of the heilike Ruzhiner came to him and said, “Rebbe until now I was constantly with the Rebbe, I heard the Rebbe’s teachings, watch how he davened and in general was inspired by the rich atmosphere of the Rebbe’s court. But now I am married and have an obligation to support my wife and family, so I am moving to another city; Rebbe how do I make sure that over the course of years, my hislahavus and brenn doesn’t cool off? Yes I know it would be ideal if I can visit the Rebbe at least once a year, but I have noticed by other chassidim that it doesn’t happen.”

The Ruzhiner replied, this question was addressed by Yaakov avinu, when he blesses his sons. He said to them  asher yikra esschem b’acharis hayomim. Generally we translate those words to mean, I will tell you what will happen to you at the end of the days, when Moshiach will come. However, there is another way to interpret those words; Yikra is also connected with the word kar, which means coldness. Yaakov Avinu was saying to them it is possible that because of the lengthy years of exile, one can become cold and indifferent. Like you said, you are afraid that your warmth to me and my teachings might become weaker.

However Yaakov Avinu also gave his children the antidote to this malady. He began by saying hay’ussfoo – gather together. When yidden gather together and they repeat a teaching, story or niggun of their Rebbe, this prevents one from becoming uhpgikilt in his feelings – he will always remain warm.

“My talmid,” the Ruzhiner continued, “I ask of you three things, you should remember these words, you should put them to practice and you should publicize them for others to learn from.”

Heard this last week , parshas va’yechi, at a farbrengen. However I thought it is an appropriate thought to be shared within the thirty day preparations for yud shevat.

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