It seems that whatever the issue may be, we always seem to have those amongst us that wish to interject controversy and criticism. It is disheartening to see these alleged zealots portraying mannerisms that are contradictory to many of the causes that were so lucidly set forth to us by the Rebbe Zi”ya.
Are we not all tired of the controversy and strife that beleaguers us. Can we truthfully say that we are true practitioners of Ahavas Yisroel which is one of the main principals that the Rebbe Zi”ya tried to instill in us.
Can one say that the Rebbe Zi”ya discouraged overtures to other Chassidim. To say so would negate the objectives of the various Heichal Menachems that are so prodigiously flourishing and were immensely encouraged by the Rebbe Zi”ya.
Can one say that the Rebbe Zi”ya discouraged Tzedokos given by certain individuals from Los Angeles, Australia,etc. to other causes which brought about a Kiddush Lubavitch.
Are we all not familiar with the story that the Rebbe Zi”ya related many times as to when he was in Vienna visiting the Freidiker Rebbe and he went out to Shul one evening for Maariv. Upon giving some Tzedaka the Rebbe Zi”ya was approached by another person in Shul and was told that you do not give Tzedaka at night. When the Rebbe Zi”ya came back home the Freidiker Rebbe noticed that the Rebbe Zi”ya was distraught and he asked him what was troubling him. The Rebbe Zi”ya then proceeded to relate the incident that had occurred in Shul. The Freidiker Rebbe told the Rebbe Zi”ya that he should not feel troubled by what that person had said and told the Rebbe Zi”ya that those who don’t give Tzedaka at night don’t give by day either.
Times have changed immensely and as taught to us by the Rebbeim “we have to live with the times “. I can recall the times of 20-30 years ago when the volumes of the Alter Rebbes Shulchan Oruch which are a part of the curriculum in the Satmar Yeshivos had the front inside pages cut out so as to avoid any mention of the Rebbe Zi”ya ,Kehos,770 etc.
A few weeks ago, l’zchus the first yahrzeit of my mother A”H, I brought into the Satmar Bais Medrash in White Lake, various Sifrei Chabad. Likutei Torah, Torah Ohr, Tanyas, Chassidus Mevueres ,etc.,etc. They have been in constant use since then and I have received many requests for other Sifrei Chabad.
The existent Mikvah in the Satmar colony which is a two minute walk to my house upstate has been consistently used by many Lubavitchers over the years (Crown Heights Bungalows residents and others). They have been good neighbors over the years and have always been helpful especially during my year of aveilus.
As a form of reciprocation and as a gesture of goodwill I gladly agreed to participate in the construction of their new Mikvah. I do not have to answer or justify to anyone as to what I do with my own money, nor do I wish to seem boastful but I think that I easily hold my own when it comes to our Mosdos.
At the groundbreaking for the new Mikvah I was asked by the Satmar Rebbes gabboim if they could bring him to my house as a token of appreciation. I readily agreed and that is how this all came about. I felt that this might offer a fortuitous opportunity . I called a close yedid of our family, R’ Yossel Segal the Rosh Hakolell of Zemach Tzedek in Yerushalayim who happened to be in Gan Yisroel for the Yarchei Kallah and asked him if he would come to the meeting. Being someone that has brought many of our “spitz” to Lubavitch I felt that he would be the perfect participant. Also the fact that the Satmar Rebbe and him are both descendants of Bais Harav was another plus.
The meeting which was scheduled to last 5-10 minutes went on for over an hour. I can attest that the entire Satmar entourage were enthralled by dialogue between the Satmar Rebbe and R’ Yossel.
I go to them for Mincha every Shabbos and afterwards I always have a talk with R’ Shmaya Greenbaum. He is one of their most revered Magidei Shiurim and a well known mechaber (Mishnayos Siyata D’shmaya ). He told me that” a very important door was opened” with this meeting.
I hope and pray that this will serve as a catalyst for further opportunities to bring achdus between all Yidden and hasten the revelation of Mashiach Tzidkeinu .
B’Birchas Kesivah V’chasimah Tovah
Shloime Drimmer
yaaaay!!!!!