By COLlive reporter
Never-before-seen video footage of the Belzer Rebbe, Rabbi Yissachar Dov Rokeach‘s meeting the Rebbe in 1981 is aired in this week Living Torah by JEM.
“Your newspaper recently began to include chasidic teachings,” the Rebbe told the Belzer Rebbe, referring to the HaMahane HaHaredi publication.
“If you are now providing the laymen with regular doses of chasidus, perhaps it’s also time to provide the yeshivah students with regular study sessions in chassidus,” the Rebbe suggested.
“Many important innovations have been introduced in our generation, for when new ‘illnesses’ arise, new ‘medicines’ must be administered,” the Rebbe said during the meeting that took place 4 Adar II, 5741.
The video was filmed by WLCC, the organization that documented daily life with the Rebbe and that was acquired by JEM (Jewish Educational Media).
JEM have removed the phrase where the Rebbe actually takes issue with the Belzer Rebbe after he says “There are those who believe the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov are today fogotton” (a reference to Satmar with whom the Belzer was engaged in a major dispute) The Rebbe replied “This is indeed a good reason to strengthen the study of Chasidus but why make mention bignuson shel Yisrael that such a shita exists” (why mention the shortcomings of the Jewish people that such a view exists?)
Do you realize that every Chosid of every other rebbe holds their rebbe as the greatest Rebbe in the world. Believing anything less is not the sign of a true chosid. I really don’t care if anybody else disagrees. My rebbe is the Tzadik hador, and everybody should know it.
Do you realize that most other Jews feel an elitist approach here?
So amazing how the Rebbe is worried and carefully trying to positively influence another group of Yidden…
before accusing others of being ignorant – you should check your facts!
the belzer rebbe who was blind, was the sar sholem zt”l, the first belzer rebbe. obviously the rebbe never met him, however the rebbe maharsh did, and there is a famous story concerning that.
the rebbe met the current rebbe’s uncle, r’ ahron zt”l, and was not “encouraged” by the gerer businessman (his name was itche meir) to go meet r’ ahron, rather it was the rebbe who came up with the idea to visit r’ ahron and asked itche meir to accompany him.
First of all, this is NOT new footage. It has just been reworked by JEM. To comment 6: R’ Aharon Belzer, with whom the story took place, is the current Belzer Rebbe’s uncle – not “alter zeide”. Also, i don’t think that R’ Aharon was blind. He had difficulty seeing, but he was able to see. He would, however, usually keep his face looking downward with closed eyes, and when our Rebbe came by he raised his head and maybe opened his eyes, and removed the towel from his hand. Those around were shocked, and asked Itche Meir who he… Read more »
Before all you ignorant empty heads make comments remember that the Belzer rebbe’s alter zeide met the Ramash (the rebbe as he was known then)when he came to Berlin for treatment. Thousands came to give sholom. The Belzer Rebbe shook hands through a towel that was wrapped around his hand. The Rebbe was encouraged to visit the Belzer from a gerer businessman who was close to the Ramash in Berlin. When the Ramash approached to shake his hand the belzer rebbe took off the towel and and asked his shamash who he was as he felt tremdous kedusha. Chassidim were… Read more »
It’s known that Polisher Chassidim wear moments of special kedusha double begodim. Like davvening of kabbolas shabbos and shabbos minche. Shabbos schacharis they already a tallis and a additional beged is not necessary
bs”d
note the difference in look and sound!!
k’siva vachasimah tovah l’shanah tovah um’sukah!!
a gut shabbos! add mosai?! moshiach now!!!
I remember at the time that the Rebbe asked the Belzer if he wanted to take his coat off because it was very warm in the room, and the Belzer said something to the effect that he wanted to bask in the warmth of the Rebbe.
very nice!!
Note: he is wearing a bullet proof vest – under his coat.
(the Satmar said that he will kill him h”y!!)
He did not tack off him coat in Yichidus (!!)…
so do the belzer learn chasidus in yeshiva?