3 Crazy Things Moshe Rubashkin Just Did In Broad Daylight

When it comes to R’ Moishe Rubashkin, there’s one thing we can all agree on: the man doesn’t tiptoe.

Even while hosting thousands of visitors in his home (it’s a normal brownstone, not the type of property where you can add a guest wing)…even while erecting and decorating a 300-foot sukkah (Chandeliers. Three hundred feet lit up by chandeliers.)…even while ensuring that this sukkah is plumbed with three separate water and seltzer stations (the man has plumbed seltzer into his front patio for strangers – sit with that for a bit)…and even while personally taking the initiative to make sure every guest’s needs are met, Reb Moshe can’t just assess the colossal masterpiece and conclude, “I’ve reached my goal.”

If all of this wasn’t already crazy – and, let’s be real, this production is completely crazy – Rubashkin has really out-done himself this week with three moves that normal people just don’t make.

Move 1: The Stone Pizza Oven. In a house where gourmet food is prepared for thousands of people daily, the director is having a commercial-sized stone pizza oven installed in time for yontif. Reb Moshe’s vision is to serve his guests fresh-baked fleishig pizzas by night on Simchas Torah. Standard plebian fare, no?

Move 2: The Hygiene Bazaar. On Tuesday, Reb Moshe oversaw the delivery of yet another mountain of hygiene products, available to his guests free of charge. His partner in this undertaking is Rabbi Eli Hecht, and the two of them have been met with a flood of positive feedback. Tuesday’s delivery was the second of its kind this month, but this one included several additional mind-boggling elements. Eli Hecht’s delivery covered table after table with boxes of deodorant, packages of undergarments in all sizes, packs of new socks, soaps, toothbrushes, floss (next year, they’ll have an actual dentist in the sukkah offering free dental cleanings next to the toothpaste table, now accepting sponsorships) – with a line out the door.

Move 3: The Extension. Because 300 feet is only sufficient for meals. For dancing, you obviously need more sukkah! An expansive section is being added to the inviting, dignified monstrosity (and you know that means more chandeliers), which already consumes half a block and three-quarters of the width of President Street.

It’s one thing after another with this guy – because that’s how the Rebbe approached his own holy work. When a chossid sees his Rebbe living l’chatchila arriber, going to every length to help a fellow Jew, undaunted by the scale of the undertaking, the chossid realizes that such work builds a kli for tremendous bracha.

But why this ludicrous sukkah production?

Because the Rebbe cared so deeply for his orchim. In Reb Moishe’s words, “This is our way to say, ‘Thank you, Rebbe’, and it’s our way to be connected to the Source and the brochos!”

For decades, the Rebbe paid half the cost of airfare for chassidim in need who wished to come to Crown Heights for Tishrei. Upon their arrival, the Rebbe held an annual farbrengen in honor of his orchim, during which the Rebbe gave over new chassidus, year after year. Not many hold such a status with the Nossi Doreinu.

A chossid looking to spread good, help others, and address social problems in his community can take a hint from his Rebbe, follow in his Rebbe’s footsteps, and live by his Rebbe’s values.

If you’re Moshe Rubashkin, you build a breathtaking, enormous hachnasas orchim operation for the Rebbe’s guests each Tishrei. If you’re not Moishe Rubashkin, and you want your avodah to reflect the Rebbe’s priorities, then you can partner with Reb Moshe and give to Avraham Avinu’s Tent today.

It’s now Hoshana Rabah. Today is a traditional opportunity to give extra tzedakah to temper the harshness of pure justice from Above. The Rebbe gave extra on this auspicious day, so follow the bracha and give where the Rebbe gave.