From the COLive Inbox:
This is the first time in years that Rabbi Shmuel Lew went on the Mitzvah Tank. He does Mivtza tefillin; but mostly in his office, or on his travels. What happened now?
On Thursday night at Hakofos in Lubavitch House of London, at about 2 am, there was a crowd. But there was a small circle, only about 5 people dancing, and he felt an urge to join them.
They said to him: This is an exclusive group; only people who go on the tank at least once a year are in this dance.
Rabbi Lew answered, “this is the group that I want to be part of; I promise to go at least once this year on the tank.”
And so he joined them.
Later, they asked him when he will choose the day to go; will he wait until the end of the year, 29 Elul, or near then, to fulfill his pledge?
He said no, he will go the first chance after Yomtov; who knows, maybe he will then go a second time!
And so, there he was, which was good, since none of the regulars could go that day (except for one).
Amongst the people whom he met were two young men with shaven heads, piercings, etc. Yes, they were Jewish, and they said they were actually on their way to Rabbi Yossi Simons, to put on Tefillin. They were brothers, from a frum family.
Turns out, they also were on the way to keep a resolution. At hakafos at Heichal Menachem shul in London, they had promised Rabbi Simon that they would come to him (at Tzivos Hashem) that day, to put on Tefillin. They apologized to Rabbi Lew, but wanted to keep their word to Yossi.
Simchas Torah Hachlotos are a powerful force.
i spot the best father in the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yasher Koach to Rabbi Simon – whose always looking out for Yiddishe neshomos, non stop working on his Shlichus – an amazing person
We love u Rabbi Lew!
one with a shaved head the other wirh a scribbled? head. That was me and my brother. cool that they wrote about us. By the way we are from Kfar Chabad and if the attitude there was like the community in Golder Green, Kfar Chabad would look different.
Can someone translate that into English? (And go Rabbi Lew!!)
זה אני ואחי ממש מגניב שכתבו עלינו אגב אנחנו מכפר חבד ואם היה שם יחס כמו שהקהילה בגולדרס גרין כפר חבד היה נראה אחרת!!
,,,and a big yashar koach to Rabbi Yossi Simons…
Shmuel Lew = Real.
May Rabbi Lew and the two bochurim go from strength to strength!
When the Rebbe gave dollars at farbrengen, sometimes it was to – or through- the tankistin. They had the honor of passing by and receiving a packet of dollars, and then would distribute to the Klal. So, yes, sometimes you have to earn it
Very nice article.
BS”D #7 it seems to me that # 4 was just making a joke
Yes, we are no longer in kindergarten, not everyone wins.
Those that go the extra mile, DO get rewarded!
Not, what the world has come to, its ALWAYS been like this, stop trying to change it!
I purposely did not write ‘former student’ as Rabbi Lew continues to teach me with his example, warmth and earnestness. I loved this article!
Gives me great memories of Carmelli bakery on Golders Green Road.
An exclusive circle for dancing? What’s the world coming to?
This article shows Rabbi Lew’s great humility and good naturedness. His whole life is a mitzva tank!
From a shlucha, one of Rabbi Lew’s many students
Inspires us all!
Inspiring piece. Everyone, even the bubbes and zaides, even me, can broaden our mitzva and mivtza horizons.