Why did the Rebbe give a large tip to a child and why did he double the amount afterward? How did the Rebbe express his gratitude to someone who helped his father? With whom did the Rebbe and Rebbetzin sit on Motzaei Shabbasos and why? * Fascinating stories that were told at a farbrengen in 770 to mark Chaf Av.
In the sicha for Parshas Ki Sisa 5752, the Rebbe says as a practical directive that every Jew is given the ability to accomplish all things from beginning to end and everything in between. In this column, I will share stories about people who made the long, incredible path from one extreme to another.
The Rebbe begins the historic sicha of Mishpatim 5752, in which he shows how events in the world at the time are part of the Geula process, as follows: It is known that all occurrences in the world are by divine providence and contain a lesson and instruction in man’s service of his Maker.”
About shluchim and their yearning for their home base, the place of the meshaleiach, 770. * Although in most cases the Rebbe discouraged the Shluchim from leaving their flocks during the High Holiday season, a time when other Chassidim, young and old, converge on 770 from all parts of the world, their minds and hearts are with the Rebbe in 770.
As Chassidim around the world are preparing materially and spiritually to travel to 770 to spend Tishrei with the Rebbe, it is appropriate to share some stories about Chabad Houses built to look like 770. The truth is, every Chabad house in the world is the Rebbe’s home, but with those special buildings that were modeled after Beis Chayeinu the bond with the Rebbe is felt as soon as you walk in and maybe even before that, with your first look at the building.
The Rebbe explains that the Chabad custom of not washing and eating challa at the third Shabbos meal is because at this meal there is a lofty level of holiness that is a microcosm of the future time, so that for the body just a taste is enough.
“… the deputy mayor is someone who is regularly interested in what is going on with the Jewish people, Chassidim especially. He visited Yerushalayim, and attended one of the big Chassidic courts and saw their magnificent beis midrash. After that visit, he had great expectations of Chabad world headquarters. At first, he was disappointed, but on second thought he said to R’ Slavaticki, “It’s true that the beis midrash of that Chassidic group is bigger and more beautiful, but I want to help Chabad because I see that you are less involved in self-glorification and more committed to the entire world.””
Rashi says that “rayach nichoach” means that Hashem has nachas “that I said and My will was done.” The Rebbe explains that Rashi is responding to the general question: why did Hashem command us to take animals and burn them on the altar? What purpose does this serve? It is the opposite of logic and good sense to burn our possessions! That is why Rashi explains that actually, there is no point to destroying animals; we do it in order to give nachas to Hashem who said to do something and whose will was carried out
A compilation of stories about the Rebbe that R’ Boruch Aharon Huss, of Anash of Montreal, wrote as he heard them from reliable sources, mostly from the protagonist himself.
Authentic Chassidic stories told by R’ Zalman Leib Estulin a”h, as he heard them from the people they happened to.
The Rebbe explains that Moshiach has two main roles: as king and teacher. As king, he raises up the spiritual status of the Jewish Nation as a whole to a level they could not reach as individuals. As rav he guides and teaches the Jewish people, like the leaders of the Sanhedrin in previous generations. We, as Chassidim of the Rebbe, have seen openly for many years how the Rebbe is carrying out these two functions, as king and rav; sometimes both simultaneously and sometimes each separately. On Yud-Aleph Nissan we not only celebrate the birth of our king, the leader of the entire nation and ultimately the entire world, we also need to feel how it is a personal celebration and birth for each of us personally.
Every shliach knows that in addition to his work directing the Chabad House, filling the role of respected shliach, lecturing, setting policy, putting t’fillin on people, giving shiurim, etc. there are times when the shliach himself needs to roll up his sleeves and get involved in the physical work of the Chabad House. This week, we will read about shluchim and mekuravim who schlep boxes of food and renovate buildings, and the blessed results.
November 4, 2014