Rebbetzin’s Doctor Speaks in 770

The following was shared in a past article on Chabad.org:

One Friday afternoon, Dr. Robert Feldman‘s daughter Sarah visited Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson together with her younger sister. At the time, Sarah was about to begin dating, and she utilized her time with the Rebbetzin to discuss this new and exciting stage in her life. The Rebbetzin advised her like a mother, providing her with direction and focus.

Approximately one year later, Sarah was about to get engaged to her future husband, Levi Shemtov. Her father arranged for her to visit with the Rebbetzin in order to share the good news. The meeting passed very pleasantly, and the Rebbetzin was clearly delighted.

That meeting took place a mere ten days before the Rebbetzin would pass away; unbeknownst to Sarah, the Rebbetzin was in terrible pain.

On the occasion of Sarah’s engagement, the Rebbetzin called to wish her well. Needless to say, the bride was elated.

The couple-to-be planned to visit the Rebbetzin together, but were told they’d have to wait until she felt better. Sadly, that meeting was not to be.

The night of the Rebbetzin’s passing, the 22nd of Shevat, 1988, Dr. Feldman accompanied the Rebbetzin in the ambulance to the hospital.

What was on the Rebbetzin’s mind was an hour or so before she passed away, you wonder?

The Rebbetzin, suffering terribly, did not ask Dr. Feldman, “How bad is it? Will there be a need for a procedure? What is my prognosis?”

Instead, with her last strength and not much time to live, she collected herself and asked cheerfully, “So, Doctor, how is the new couple-to-be? Are they happy?” As sirens blared outside, she didn’t stop to think about herself and her fate but continued to ask, “When is the wedding? Please tell me all about it . . .”

This is how she spent her last moments here on earth, fulfilling her mission “to serve people in need twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.”

With thoughts about the wellbeing of others, she returned her holy soul to its Maker.

But the story is not over.

Right after shiva, the seven-day mourning period for the Rebbetzin, the Rebbe sent for Dr. Feldman.

“Tell me, when is the engagement party?” he asked.

That wasn’t a simple question to answer. According to the original plan, the party was soon scheduled to take place, still within the first thirty days of the Rebbetzin’s passing, considered by Jewish law as a period of mourning, albeit to a lesser degree. However, to push off a happy occasion was no small matter either.

Before Dr. Feldman could answer, the Rebbe continued: “It should take place on the day it was originally scheduled for, and it should not be smaller than originally planned. In fact, it should be bigger!

“Furthermore,” the Rebbe continued—and here he departed from the guidelines he had set down regarding engagement parties, that they should take place at home and for small crowds, in order to keep expenses down—”it should not take place at home, but in a rented hall”—this was unheard of—”and there should be live music [!], and the main thing: much joy!”

The Rebbe’s tone then softened, and in a voice filled with emotion he said, “It should be done this way because this is how the Rebbetzin would have wanted it be . . . and this is what will make the Rebbetzin happy . . .”

Apparently the Rebbetzin was keeping to her mission, fulfilled to perfection here on earth, even from her elevated place in heaven.

The Rebbe had ensured that her legacy would live on.