The Uncharacteristic Practice of the Legendary Mashpia

This week, an audio recording circulating on social media provided an explanation behind an uncharacteristic practice by Rabbi Volf Greenglass, the Mekubal and Mashpia of Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch in Montreal, Canada, who passed away in 2010 at the age of 94.

The audio belongs to Rabbi Zalman Labkowski, Rosh Yeshiva of the Central Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, NY.

He told that the Rebbe would personally receive the letters and notes written to him in the early years of his leadership. Once, the Rebbe was seen reading a letter while walking from the office of the Mazkirus secretariat.

When the Rebbe reached his room, he first stopped and ripped up the letter he was reading into four pieces and placed it in a trash bin which stood at the entrance, known as “Gan Eden Hatachton.”

Bochurim rushed to retrieve the pieces of that letter. They discovered it contained complaints against the fact that bochurim were spending their time preparing Lag BaOmer floats and signs, instead of learning.

According to one account, since then, Reb Volf made it a custom to take part in the preparations for the Montreal parade, which encouraged local Jewish boys and girls to be proud of their heritage.

In the year 5743, Lag B’omer was on a Sunday, and on Motzei Shabbos Bochurim were preparing for the parade which was to take place the next day in Montreal. The bochurim were working indoors, because it was raining that night.

Reb Volf came inside to where the bochurim were working to do his usual work on a plaque for the parade, which read: שמור את השבת לקדשו.

A Bochur then turned to him and said, “it’s raining, what are we going to do [about the parade]?”

Instead of answering, Reb Volf replied, “give me the markers and a placard.”

By the time Reb Volf had finished writing, it had stopped raining, and it didn’t rain until after the parade…