By Dovid Zaklikowski for COLlive and Hasidic Archives
Before arriving in Israel in 1961, R’ Berke Chein ran a family business on the Russian black market. The family entered this field because it permitted them to live under the Communist regime without having to work on Shabbat. Berke managed the finances, and developed professional aptitude and skill in his department.
Upon his arrival in the holy land of Israel, he was tasked with managing funds collected from the Chabad community in Israel and earmarked for Chabad in New York. Berke, with his long white beard and penetrating eyes, became iconic in the Chabad community.
Donations were collected by delegates in Chabad communities across Israel, and then forwarded to Berke, who would organize the funds. Rabbi Ephraim Wolff, director of Chabad’s central institutions in Israel, would then send the money to New York.
While the Chabad community grew in size, Berke aged. In 1988, several Chabad officials considered hiring another person to assist him.
Rabbi Wolff asked the Rebbe if he should discuss the idea with Berke.
The Rebbe responded (paraphrased): “If he is advised that he needs assistance, he might believe that he is thought of as weak and without strength to complete his job. This will hurt his feelings. Thus, it is best to continue the collection the way it is, even if the circumstances are not ideal.”
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