JEM’s My Encounter with the Rebbe team had the Zchus of interviewing R’ Berel Weiss obm at his home in Los Angeles, on 11 Elul, 5768, September 9, 2008 about his encounters with the Rebbe.
This is a raw excerpt of his interview – no subtitles, etc. – relating his first encounter with the Rebbe.
It was Shmini Atzeres of 5722, and through his relationship with Rabbi Raichik, he was encouraged to come to NY for Tishrei.
Rabbi Raichik told him to go up and say Lichaim to the Rebbe, and if he wants he can mention that he will give a donation. He did just that, and told the Rebbe – i’m pledging $100,000 to the Mosdos! The Rebbe calmly replied his usual response L’chaim V’livracha! He was stunned! “I realized then how great the Rebbe was. He was not fazed by my donation. Had I been by a different Rebbe, he would told the Gabbai to quickly pull up a chair for me, and seat me at the front…”
After Yom Tov when he went into Yechidus, and the Rebbe addressed the donation.
Then at a subsequent meeting, he told the Rebbe that he wants to take his business public. The Rebbe discouraged him, “who needs more baalei batim on themselves?” He said, “What do you mean? I’ll make millions, and I’ll give a million dollars for the Mosdos!” To which the Rebbe replied “And what will you bring me?'” He was a little confused… The Rebbe continued, “How many Blatt Gemara will you bring me??” The Rebbe wanted him to learn a thousand Blatt by the end of the year!
He was not expecting that. But the Rebbe wouldn’t let up. The Rebbe even shared with him a vort that Rashi writes about Zevulun, and concluded, “When Zevulun would go out on their ships, they would take with them a Tanya, a Tehillim’l, a Chumash’l, and learn in their free time! Its time you sat down and learned!!”
While it is difficult to understand the yiddish, it is well worth straining to listen to the original, as the article does not accurately convey the conversations Reb Berl is relaying. The awesome reverence Reb Berl had for the Rebbe and his bracha was amazing. Reb Berl’s tzedaka for large insititutions and gemilus chasadim for the individual yid was something way above the worldly norm. May his maasim tovim give a zechus for his family to continue in his chosidishe ways in their personal lives and for the tzibur of klal yisrael.
Condolences to the Weiss family on their loss. We shoul only hear good news. Thank you JEM for taking these videos. @ 1 it costs probably money to write and apply subtitles. Perhaps you can send them a donation so they can hire more staff.
If you ever been at his main office it is completely full of Seforim book cases from the floor to the ceiling Reb Berel would seat by his desk full of seforim and learn,
At his Levaya it was mentioned that he completed Talmud Yerushalmi 2-times and Talmud Bavli 1 1/2 times,
The way he gave Tzedakah and did Chesed should be set as an example for others whom are capable of giving, and then the world will be a much better place,
From what I understood from him the story went like this.
He went into yechidus and after a few minutes told the Rebbe “oib der Rebbe haist, ich bin michen giben altz tzum Rebbin” (if the Rebbe requests this, I’m ready to give everything I have to the Rebbe)
The Rebbe said I want your nefesh and you can give it to me with 1000 blatt gemorrah.
I think in the video he confused the 10,000 vs 1,000 with another yechidus.
BTW, this interview took place 4 am after a wedding in CH.
Yankee Raichik
He clearly states at 5:10 that the Rebbe asked for 10,000 blatt and they agreed upon 1,000.
So what did he agree to? 100 ?
I heard this story from Reb Berel zt”l numerous times and it was 1,000 blatt.
Yankee Raichik
Isnt there only about 2500 Blatt in the entire Shas ?
Amazing to me at least, the Rebbe asked a businessman not a Rov or Rosh Yeshiva for a gift of 10,000 blatt gemora! (he excepted 1000!!!) How much more should we all be learning.
how did you know that?
your remembered that?
or you checked it up?
11 Elul 5768 was September 11, 2008
September 9, 2008 was 9 Elul 2008
there was no 11 Elul 5768 – September 9 2008.
click here for that year’s calendar:
http://www.chabad.org/calendar/view/day.asp?tDate=9/11/2008
@2 “Read the article”
good comeback!!!
but – please put subtitles. we want to follow along word for word!!!
Thank You JEM!!!
@ 1 “SUBTITLES?”
“This is a raw excerpt of his interview – no subtitles, etc. – relating his first encounter with the Rebbe.”