By Dovid Zaklikowski for COLlive & Hasidic Archives
Rabbi Yaakov Yehuda (“JJ”) Hecht was attending a Chassidic gathering in 770 Eastern Parkway when the Rebbe asked him to come to his office following the event.
At that meeting, the Rebbe asked Rabbi Hecht to travel to Toronto, Ontario, in order to mediate a dispute between two community activists and to meet a philanthropist.
Rabbi Hecht soon thereafter traveled to Toronto to fulfill the Rebbe’s bidding. The evening prior to his return to Brooklyn, he attended a relative’s wedding.
The night wore on, and the wedding continued in full verve. Rabbi Hecht had an early flight, and was anxious to get some sleep, but wanted to partake in the traditional Sheva Brachos that are recited following the meal.
Rabbi Hecht decided to putter around the hall and ventured to another floor where a famed Chassidic Rebbe was holding personal audiences with community members. He met the gabbai and in discussion, Rabbi Hecht complained that the wedding was dragging on, preventing him from sleeping before his flight.
The gabbai commiserated and responded, “As we say in our circles: business before pleasure.” Rabbi Hecht was put-off by the remark, as it insinuated that the Jewish tradition of reciting blessings following a wedding is simply a chore.
The wedding came to an end, and Rabbi Hecht returned to New York the following morning in time to attend prayer services in 770. At the end of the services, the Rebbe asked Rabbi Hecht for a report. Rabbi Hecht delivered an update in the hallway of the Rebbe’s private office.
As the Rebbe was turning the key to his office, Rabbi Hecht said loudly, “How wonderful is our lot!” The Rebbe turned around and asked Rabbi Hecht to what he was referring.
Rabbi Hecht told the Rebbe about his disconcerting discussion with the gabbai of the Chassidic Rebbe, and how glad he is that similar sentiments are not shared in Chabad circles.
The Rebbe responded, “If I would have known that you would repeat lashon harah, I would not have wanted to be a part of it.”
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