Eyes of a Tzaddik
The Rebbe rebuilt Chabad, a movement in ruins from Communism and the Holocaust, and made it into the global powerhouse of today. The Avner Institute presents several emotional encounters during the holidays of Tishrei, when thousands of followers flocked to Crown Heights and the Rebbe’s magnetic presence was most intensely felt, exerting influence and creating miracles.
In loving memory of Hadassah Lebovic A”hYom Kippur Reunion
Rabbi Benzion Grossman, of Migdal HaEmek, relates:
Rabbi Menachem Manis Wasserman was an eminent Torah scholar and well-known figure in the shtiblach of Jerusalem during the 1960s. He had emigrated there, in 1949, to rebuild his shattered life after losing his wife and children to the Holocaust. Two years later he married another Holocaust survivor who came from the famous Munk family.
Several years later a son was born to the Wassermans. For these parents, both of whom had undergone so much suffering, this beloved child became the focus of their lives. Unfortunately the boy failed to appreciate the extent of his parents’ self-sacrifice. Slowly he moved away from the Torah lifestyle they had tried so hard to impress upon him. In time he fell into bad company, and was encouraged to abandon Jewish observance entirely.
At age sixteen he abruptly left home without leaving his parents anything of his whereabouts. At first they considered his action some kind of youthful adventure from which he would return in a few days. However, as the days, then weeks, went by, they realized that his absence was of a more serious nature. They even called the police, but every inquiry reached a dead end. The young man had vanished without a trace.
Strange Message
Three months later the Wassermans received an unexpected letter. It bore a United States stamp and postmark, but the writing was their son’s.
There’s nothing to worry about. But don’t bother looking for me, because you won’t find me. I am doing fine out here and have everything I need. Will be in touch.
Although relieved to hear from him, the parents were worried. Who knew what he was doing in America or what would happen to him? They contacted various organizations in the U.S., but all attempts proved fruitless.
Two years went by. Rabbi Wasserman decided that the time had come for him to fly to America himself in search of his son. He knew this would not be easy. In such a large country he had no idea where to even begin.
He arrived there in 1971, just before Rosh Hashana, and decided to spend the Tishrei holidays in New York near the Rebbe. He even managed to secure a private audience.
Explaining to the Rebbe the reason for his visit, he asked for a blessing to find his son. The Rebbe wished him good news, adding, “You should go to New Jersey and lead the prayers on Kol Nidrei. May it all be successful and may you hear good tidings.”
At first Rabbi Wasserman thought that the Rebbe had mistaken him for someone else. He replied that he did not intend to go to New Jersey for Yom Kippur, which he had wanted instead to spend in New York with the Rebbe.
But the Rebbe continued as if Rabbi Wasserman had not even spoken. “There is no need to apologize for not being here for Yom Kippur. It is a great honor to pray with the Jews of New Jersey. May you hear good news.”
Strange Appearance
Realizing he had no choice in the matter, Rabbi Wasserman made a few inquiries about the shuls in New Jersey that needed someone to conduct the Yom Kippur prayer service. He was approached by Rabbi Pinchas Teitz, who headed in a shul in Elizabeth.
That night of atonement was unforgettable. As he strode up to the amud, he caught sight of a long-haired hippie who apparently came to shul on Yom Kippur only.
At the sight of Rabbi Wasserman, the hippie turned pale and seemed about to faint.
“Abba!” he cried.
Rabbi Wasserman stared at the face which underneath the mass of weird hair and clothes became familiar.
Moments later, father and son were reunited in tearful embrace.
Simchas Torah Resolutions
From the diary of a former yeshiva student, 5717 (1956):
About two hours after Hakafos, the Rebbe suddenly entered the sukkah, stood upon a chair, and announced that he would pour of drop of vodka for all those who undertook an increase in their study of Chassidus. As the Rebbe handed out these l’chaims to the yeshiva students and other young men present, he said a few words to some of them. Here are a few examples:
To M.L.: The idea of ‘increasing in Chassidus’ does not just apply to one’s actual study or time spent on it. It also means that one should add to the results of this study, in the realms of thought, speech, and action.
Another student: Becoming proud as a result of one’s knowledge of Chassidus is like placing an idol into the Sanctuary.
When A.H. walked by, the Rebbe asked him why he felt so bad-tempered and hungry if he missed a single breakfast – yet, if one, two, or even three days went by without study of any Chassidus it did not seem to bother him at all!
Foresight
On Erev Yom Kippur 5721 (1960), according to custom, the Rebbe was distributing his yearly lekach, honey cake. When it came to A.’s turn, A. asked for a blessing that his parents leave Russia very soon.
“Amen,” replied the Rebbe. “May you see your father again amid joy and happiness.”
At first A. thought he had not heard the Rebbe clearly. Again he asked for a blessing that both his parents be able to leave Russia. But in response, the Rebbe merely repeated the blessing.
Later that year A.’s mother passed away while still in Russia. His father managed to leave the country three years later, and was ultimately reunited with his beloved son.
The eyes of a tzaddik see from one end of the world to the other.
Tears of Joy
In his autobiography French businessman Yosef Ben-Zakkai writes:
I happened to be in New York during Sukkos 1979. Earlier my Chabad friends in France persuaded me to spend Simchas Torah in “770,” and they also arranged a place for me to stay in Crown Heights.
On the night of Shemini Atzeres I heard Kiddush at the home of one of the Rebbe’s secretaries, Rabbi Binyamin Klein. Then, following the advice of my friends, I hurried back to “770” to find a place for Hakafos.
When the Rebbe walked into the shul everyone burst into song. The atmosphere was electric. I had never experienced anything so holy before. I was deeply affected by the sight of the Rebbe, whose face radiated such spirituality as he danced and sang with the Chassidim. The very walls of “770” trembled as the crowd of thousands expressed their joy.
“This must be how it felt when the Kohen Gadol [High Priest] appeared in the Beis HaMikdash,” I thought. Then I corrected myself: “It must have felt like this when the king himself entered the Beis HaMikdash!”
As I took in the wonderful scene, I barely noticed that I was crying with emotion. I remained in this state of exultation throughout the entire festival. My lack of sleep and the pushing and shoving of the large crowd did not bother me in the least. I felt as if I were in another world where such physical things did not matter.
Gate of Heaven
Two days after Simchas Torah, I was granted yechidus, private audience, with the Rebbe. Following previous advice, I merely asked for a blessing and gave the Rebbe a list of the names of family members. The Rebbe blessed me and added that he was well aware of the assistance I had provided to Chabad in France on a number of occasions.
Then the Rebbe said something which I found absolutely amazing: “May G-d grant happiness in your home and to everything that belongs to you. You should be happy and not sad throughout your life. You must only laugh and not cry. If you do weep, it should be from joy – because happy tears are always allowed, even on Simchas Torah.”
Before I even had a chance to register that he was referring to the tears I had shed during the Hakafos, the Rebbe smiled and added, “You were not even bothered by the pushing and the crowded conditions on Simchas Torah, even though this is something you are surely not used to.
“As you may already know, our Sages say that whenever the Jews went up to see the service of the Kohen Gadol on his way out of the Beis HaMikdash, or to listen to the king of Israel, they would stand crowded together but always had enough room to kneel. When everyone stood upon his own selfhood and separate identity, this made everything very crowded. Yet whenever they knelt, it was in a spirit of self-nullification and unity, which created space.”
He ended with these words: “This is what it will be like very soon, when everyone is in the presence of the King Mashiach.”
As I left the Rebbe’s room, I was still in a state of shock. As I mentally reviewed this amazing meeting, I thought: “`770’ must surely be the House of G-d, and that room must be the Gate of Heaven!”
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