The Greatest Rebbe Story Ever Told

Several weeks ago, as we are walking home from shul, my daughter asked me a question. It’s not the first time my children ask me this question. When they read a personal story of the Rebbe in the Hachayil magazine or hear a story in class – I’m asked the same question.

“Tatty, do you have a Rebbe Story?”

I’m not always excited to be asked this question by my children. Sure, I have “little” stories here and there, but not that one personal story of the Rebbe that would mesmerize or impress the masses. Certainly, whatever stories I do have aren’t “significant” enough to just pop into my mind just like that. All these years, and I grew up in Crown Heights, was at the Rebbe so many times… no story?!

Or, do I?

As I walked towards home, my mind walked to a very good destination. First, it was just wandering, then the journey took a positive direction. I realized that we all have a Rebbe Story! Every single follower of the Rebbe has a story because every single one of us is a Rebbe Story!

Think about it: the fact that we are interested in knowing another Rebbe Story – is a Rebbe Story! The fact that we are so excited and intrigued by stories of the Rebbe, so many years after Gimmel Tammuz – is our Rebbe Story. The reality that our children who never even had the ability to see the Rebbe – live with and are excited about The Rebbe – is a Rebbe Story.

We may not even realize it. We may not have the objective ability to “see ourselves”, but the truth is that we are all infused with the Rebbe. The way we think, the way we approach matters especially other Jews and situations – is influenced by the Rebbe. I’m not just referring to official Shluchim and Shluchos. Rather, to anyone who has grown up in the auspices of the Rebbe – directly or indirectly. The way we think, the way we care, the way we are always looking out to help or influence any situation, the way we are so quick to turn almost any encounter into a positive one of teaching and giving – this is our Rebbe Story.

Whether you are in business working with Jews or non-Jews, whether in the medical field or employed by someone else – we are always thinking, at least in our Chabad sub-conscious beings – how to be of help, how to enhance another’s life. This is perhaps the ultimate Rebbe Story. This isn’t exclusive to the so-called Chassidishe ones. Anyone who has grown up with the Rebbe’s inspiration and teachings is a walking Rebbe Story and most likely, will never be able to shake off this amazing gift which the Rebbe implanted in all of us (even the so-called OTD one, have it deep in their genes and persona!)

This perhaps the greatest Rebbe Story. It may be so subtle that we almost don’t even notice it. It is perhaps like our breathing – it’s so part of us, it’s so obvious that we don’t even recognize it. Unless Chas V’sholom one stops breathing for a few moments – one doesn’t even realize that they were breathing. We may not stop to listen to our story. But we all are Rebbe stories.

Before I conclude, I do have a fresh Rebbe Story!

On the Wednesday before Shavuos, one of my Mekuravim called me to share good news. He’s been tied up in a lengthy litigation battle over an international investment. His partners were posing the threat of tremendous loss for him and the other investors. This has been going on for several years and has tied up most of his funds. All along we have been writing to the Rebbe and he has traveled several times to the Ohel to Daven. In time for Shavuos, he won the final appeal and B’ezras Hashem will see considerable relief and profit.

After saying Mazal Tov, I was quick to remind him that now he needs to go to the Rebbe to inform him of the good news and to say thank-you. “Of course, but you have to come with me,” he said. It doesn’t take much arm-twisting to get me to go to the Rebbe, so I agreed.

I did explain that we are about to go into Yom Tov and as he was leaving Thursday after Shavuos for a few weeks in Israel – this leaves us with very little time to go. We decided the best option would be to take the last flight out of Miami on Tuesday and return on the first flight Wednesday morning.

I must confess that I had a lot to write to the Rebbe. Complaints, worries, doubts and whatever else the Yetzer Hara served up very well. I was going to seize this unexpected opportunity to really pour out my heart. When we arrived, I explained to my friend that it’s most appropriate to first learn from the Rebbe’s Torah before writing the ‘Pan’ letter. I know he doesn’t speak any Yiddish at all, so I looked for something “easy” in Hebrew. I found a relatively short Sicha in Likutei Sichos and we sat down to learn.

He read, I read, and explained. We weren’t even halfway through the Sicha and I already had the answers to all the questions and issues I was going to write about to the Rebbe. I did end up writing but in a totally different tone. So now even I had good news to deliver to the Rebbe; that I’m in a much better state since the Rebbe has already answered my letter even before I wrote it.

So, I do have another Rebbe Story! I’m certain that anyone reading this has or will experience “Lo Yaazov Es Tzon Mar’isso.” The Rebbe is with us – and that’s is our Rebbe’s Story.