Authentic Chassidic stories told by R’ Zalman Leib Estulin a”h, as he heard them from the people they happened to.
THE ALTER REBBE’S PROTECTIVE PRESENCE
I knew one of the elder Chassidim (from the Chabad Chassidim of Kopust), R’ Yechiel Luria. He told me that in his youth he went to Liozna where he met a very old man, about a hundred years old, whose mind was clear. The man told him two things he personally remembered about the Alter Rebbe who was then called the Maggid of Liozna:
1-Before one of the holidays, many Chassidim came to join him. The zal could not contain them all and it was decided to hold the holiday farbrengen in a palatial but old and neglected building that was located in the forest on the edge of the town. Even the large hall there was quickly filled by Chassidim, and the building which was not in use for years began to make ominous creaking sounds.
Rebbetzin Shterna, who was in the room adjacent to the hall, told the Rebbe: What do you want from the Chassidim? It is dangerous to remain here! Listen to the creaking sound!
The Alter Rebbe reassuringly replied, “If so, they can leave.” Everyone left and only the Rebbe remained until the last ones left. As soon as the Rebbe left, the building noisily collapsed.
2-On Simchas Torah the Rebbe would do hakafos with his students and the rest of the Chassidim would watch and rejoice on the sidelines. One year, the Rebbe drew one of the householders of the town into the circle. Dance, dance, he urged him.
The Chassid danced and danced until he tired. Continue dancing, urged the Rebbe, and the Chassid danced until he had no strength left at all and only then did the Rebbe leave him alone. This was regarded as most astonishing.
A few months later, this Chassid became very sick. The doctor who visited him told the family that he would not be able to recover, according to the natural order of things.
That same night, a messenger was sent by the family to the Alter Rebbe. A light was still lit in the Alter Rebbe’s home and the messenger knocked on the door. When the Rebbe opened the door, the messenger said that the father of the family was mortally ill.
The Rebbe told him: He danced well on Simchas Torah and there is no reason for concern. Go in peace and Hashem will send him a complete recovery.
Of course, the man fully recovered.
OF COURSE
THREE HUNDRED!
I knew a Chassid from Moscow by the name of R’ Boruch Tappelson (Refaelson) who told me about how his father became close to the Tzemach Tzedek:
My father was the rav of a town and was considered a Misnagdic rabbi. He received a low salary, but since he was expert in the monetary laws, he also served as an arbitrator in dinei Torah which earned him some money.
One day, he was asked to arbitrate in some serious dispute. According to his plan, he would be able to return to his town for Shabbos. The din Torah ended to the satisfaction of both sides and he was paid, but on his way home he realized that it was taking too long. If he did not want to risk spending Shabbos in the forest, he had better find a Jewish place for Shabbos.
He soon saw that he was near the town of Lubavitch. Oh well, he thought. After all, the Chassidim are G-d fearing. I will go there.
As he looked for a place to stay, he met a Chassidic rav from his area. After exchanging greetings and the obvious questions the rav invited him to stay with him. He was quite willing and joined him, but for the t’fillos he joined a side minyan. He excused himself by saying that davening with the Rebbe took longer than he was accustomed to and could cause him bittul Torah.
The next day, when they finished the meal, the Chassidic rav went to rest. My father commented: It’s a long day. It would be better to learn a bit and then rest.
No, said the Chassidic rav. Toward evening, the Rebbe says a maamer and I rest so that I will be alert when I listen. I advise you to do the same.
What about bittul Torah, asked my father. I’d rather learn another daf of Gemara than run to a farbrengen with the Rebbe.
The Chassidic rav tried to convince him that Chassidim who were outstanding Torah scholars as well as great rabbanim made great efforts to come, just to be in the Rebbe’s presence. Hashem had arranged things so that he arrived here without any bother. Would he forgo the privilege which required no effort?
Each remained true to his convictions. The Chassid went to rest. About an hour later he jumped up and began quickly heading toward the Rebbe’s beis midrash. My father was still learning. When he saw how quickly the Chassid left, he wondered about the great importance attributed to the maamer. He saw more and more people running down the street, rushing to get a spot. He began to think that maybe it was worthwhile, after all, to go and hear the maamer. He went back and forth in his mind.
He finally decided that since he could not concentrate on his learning in any case, he would go and see what was happening. As he approached the big zal, he saw the Chassidim pushing inside. The zal was packed and he pushed in too. He thought: If I came already, at least I should hear a bit. Within a few minutes he found himself standing opposite the Rebbe, listening to how the Rebbe spoke about the vegetative power which has an infinite aspect to it since from one seed come many seeds.
As he spoke, the Rebbe said, “Out of one seed can come even three hundred seeds.” This phrase annoyed my father and he thought: Three hundred – really? As though the Rebbe counted them! And the Chassidim believe this. True, the Chassidim believe whatever they are told …
He was still thinking these thoughts when the Rebbe suddenly turned in his direction and said: What three hundred? Of course, three hundred! Rabbeinu Bechayai says so. And then the Rebbe continued the maamer.
The Chassidim who heard this wondered about it while my father understood it quite well. This affected a complete change in him.
After Shabbos, my father went to the Rebbe for a private meeting and as they spoke, the Rebbe asked him whether he would agree to learn with his grandchildren. He even promised to pay him more than the salary he received as a rav. After experiencing the Rebbe’s ruach ha’kodesh, of course he agreed.
R’ Boruch concluded: My father became so connected to the Tzemach Tzedek that he would say: If the Rebbe would tell me to put my finger through a cement wall, I would do so immediately with complete faith that my finger would go through.
WHEN THE REBBE ADJUSTED THE T’FILLIN SHEL ROSH
The old Chassid known as R’ Peretz the Elder told me, “One morning, after I donned tallis and t’fillin and waited with the other Chassidim for the Rebbe Maharash to come in, I began feeling terrible pain in my head. The pain was unbearable. It felt like my head was going to explode. I sat down dizzily without sensing what was going on around me.
“In the meantime, I did not realize the Rebbe had entered the beis midrash. Everyone stood up and only I remained seated. The Rebbe passed me and as he did, he straightened the t’fillin on my head so they would be centered. Then he continued to his place. The pain vanished instantly.”
A SIGN FROM HEAVEN
IN THE KITCHEN OF TOMCHEI T’MIMIM
R’ Leib Ravzin told me how he came to be accepted to learn in Tomchei T’mimim:
I heard about the yeshiva and greatly desired being accepted as a talmid there. After being interviewed by the dean, the Rebbe Rayatz, I was told I was not accepted. The entrance requirements were tough and I had not made the grade. I was very disappointed and did not rush to go home. After such a long trip and after finally arriving in the place I had yearned to be, where was I rushing?
I remained in the vicinity of the yeshiva and in order not to starve, I decided to go to the kitchen after the meal and take leftovers. As I ate from the leftovers, the Rebbe Rashab suddenly walked in. I stood there, frozen in place.
The Rebbe gently asked me, “Bachur, what are you doing here?”
I poured out my heart, emphasizing that it was very important to me to learn in yeshiva. The Rebbe told me he would take care of it and after a short while, I was called back to the Rebbe Rayatz who informed me I had been accepted.
The Rebbe Rayatz explained the reason for the change: Generally, my father does not get involved in which talmidim are accepted. He relies on my judgment. But in this case he felt he had to get involved. The reason? Because usually, the Rebbe does not enter the kitchen except on rare occasions. That day, as he was deep in thought, his feet carried him to the kitchen and since this was out of the ordinary, he realized he had come there for some purpose.
As he wondered what spiritual reason brought him there, he found you. After hearing what you had to say, he realized that heaven deemed you fit for the yeshiva. That is why he decided to change the protocol and have you accepted.
DOING THE MITZVA IN A MORE BEAUTIFUL MANNER
R’ Leib Ravzin told me:
I was once walking around Lubavitch in the winter while dressed in summer clothes. The Rebbe Rashab saw me and asked, “Do you know how to be mehader (punctilious) in the mitzva of ‘be very protective of your souls?’”
I remained silent, having no response.
The Rebbe said, “By wearing a scarf.”
THE ONLY SALVATION FROM CHEMICAL ATTACK, WITH THE REBBE’S BRACHA
R’ Leib Ravzin also told me:
When I received my draft notice, I went to the Rebbe, like the rest of my friends, to ask for a bracha to be exempt. The Rebbe had three responses. One who received a bracha with the wording “Hashem should help that they won’t look you at all” (or “won’t lay their eyes on you”), knew he would get an easy exemption. One who received a bracha with the wording, “Hashem should help you,” knew he would be released but it would be difficult or he would only get a temporary postponement. And one who received a bracha with the wording, “Hashem should help you wherever you may be,” knew that he would be drafted and the Rebbe’s bracha would protect him.
I received the third blessing and knew what awaited me. I went to the draft office and naturally, my attempts at getting myself exempted did not work. I was drafted but felt calm. I knew that the Rebbe’s bracha was with me.
Indeed, during the battles I experienced the following. It was during World War I and one of the tough battles between the Russians and the Germans. During a lull in the fighting my fellow soldiers decided to let loose a bit. Of course, their victim had to be a Jew and who was a Jew? Me! They grabbed me and began throwing me around like a ball, tossing me from one to the next. I felt as though my bones were dislocating. This went on a for a long time until they finally tossed me aside. I lay there on the ground and remained lying there silently. First, in order not to arouse their interest and second, because I simply had no strength to get up.
In the meantime, the unit returned to the front. After resting a while, I got myself up and headed in the direction they had gone. When I reached the battlefield, I was shocked to see that they were all lying there, dead. That was one of the few times the Germans used chemical warfare which caused many losses on the Russian side.
I stood there, astounded. In my ears echoed the Rebbe’s words, “Hashem should help you wherever you may be.”
I was still considering what to do next when a rescue delegation came from headquarters. I heard them talking excitedly, “We heard they used gas and we came to see whether there was anyone to save.”
Since I was the only one there, they were very happy to see me and they sent me to back to the command center to recover from the experience. I even received a medal for my bravery as the only soldier who survived from his unit.
DO NOT REMOVE
YOUR YARMULKE
R’ Bentzion Maroz told me about his miraculous release from the army:
Before we had to present ourselves, I went to the Rebbe Rashab for a bracha and advice about how to proceed. To my surprise, he referred me to the draft office which was run by an avowed anti-Semite. The Rebbe also told me to be careful not to remove my yarmulke and that I should visualize his face.
When I went to that city, I first went to one of the wealthy Chassidim of the Rebbe Rashab to ask for his help. When this Chassid heard where I was coming from, he rejoiced. First, we farbrenged. We sat down, we said l’chaim, I reviewed all the sichos and maamarim that had been said recently, and we were in another world.
When dawn broke, he went to daven and to take care of things for me. When he returned, he said he had spoken with one of the doctors on the committee and hoped for the best.
When I went over there, I did not need any doctor. When I was ordered to undress for an examination, I vehemently refused to remove my yarmulke as I visualized the Rebbe’s holy face.
My stubbornness made a commotion and that anti-Semite, who was the head of the committee, came over to see what was going on. When he saw me insisting that I remain with my head covering, he began to shout, “Do we lack insane people? He is crazy. Send him out of here!”
THE DAY WILL COME
Another story from Bentzion Maroz:
One time, when I went for yechidus with the Rebbe Rashab, I asked him about what is explained in Tanya, chapter 18, that even the lowest of the low is ready to give up his life for Kiddush Hashem. How come I don’t feel I can do that?
The Rebbe answered: The day will come when you too will reveal this power.
Many years later, during World War II, I was sick and hospitalized. It was around the time of their holiday. Some youngsters saw me there, an old man with a white beard, and they decided I looked the part of the gentleman who gives out gifts on their holiday. They ordered me to join their celebration.
At first, when I saw their threatening faces, I was afraid to refuse. I was already thinking how perhaps it was not outright forbidden, because after all my role would merely be to distribute gifts, especially when this entailed danger to my life, for these drunkards were likely to kill me if I did not accede to their request.
Then I recalled that yechidus in which the Rebbe foresaw that a situation would arise when I would need to reveal the power of mesirus nefesh within me. I immediately refused and boruch Hashem, they left me alone.
AT THE REBBE’S DISCRETION
At a farbrengen of the Rebbe Rashab, when R’ Yaakov Landau who told this story was present, some wealthy Polish Chassidic Jews were present too. The Rebbe spoke about tz’daka and turned to them and said they should put down their money and give it al daati i.e. in a way that the Rebbe could use his discretion as to what to take.
One of the wealthy men responded immediately. He took a wad of bills from his pocket and put it all on the table. However, his colleagues were afraid lest the Rebbe take a large sum from them and they delayed in taking out their money.
During the farbrengen, the Rebbe took a small sum from the wad of bills and returned the rest to the wealthy man. When the other wealthy men saw that they had been nervous for nothing and they wouldn’t lose much, they wanted to put their money down too, but the Rebbe refused and said, “Now it is too late.”
FROM WHOM DID THE REBBE INHERIT HIS FRUMKAIT?
R’ Landau told me that the Rebbe Rashab was a very great machmir (stringent). On his travels, he did not sit on an upholstered seat because of fear of shatnez. After a trip, he koshered the utensils he used while traveling in fear lest they came in contact with something forbidden. And many other stringencies.
The Rebbe Rashab once said to R’ Landau: I inherited my nature to be stringent and my frumkait from my grandfather, R’ Avrohom of Brody (the Rebbe Rashab was a descendent of his through his mother, Rebbetzin Rivka).
HALF AWAKE
AND HALF IN A DREAM
R’ Landau told me that following the passing of the Rebbe Rashab, he was in a terrible financial state. In order to keep himself alive, he had to get hold of some cash with which to buy some merchandise that was recommended to him, through which he could earn a bit of money. He poured out his heart at the Rebbe’s gravesite.
After doing so, it occurred to him to speak to the Rebbe Rayatz to see whether he could be of help. When he went to the Rebbe, the Rebbe told him he had nothing, but he would make an effort to get him the money he needed from mekuravim.
After obtaining the necessary money for him, the Rebbe Rayatz said, “Before you came here, my [deceased] father came to me when I was half awake and half dreaming. He said to me, ‘Yankel came to me in bitterness and poured out his heart. I ask you to do what you can to help him.’”
IN THE MERIT OF
REVIVING THE REBBE
R’ Yaakov Landau would often say, “It is to my credit that I revived the Rebbe Rayatz.” He told me the story:
In the early years of the Rebbe living in Rostov, I accompanied him on a trip to Moscow. On the way, the Rebbe felt uneasy and he said, “I sense that the Cheka (the secret police that preceded the KGB) are following us.”
Shortly after we returned to Rostov, the police surrounded the house and were posted at the doors, allowing people to enter but not to exit. They quickly piled everything they considered suspicious, notes, calculations, letters, etc. on the table in one of the rooms. They put some documents there that could be considered the most incriminating due to their content – letters arousing worldwide public opinion against communist coercive tactics. (In his letters to the Rebbe, R’ Landau said it was a call against the regime called, “Kuma Yisroel L’Menuchasecha”).
The Rebbe stood there, his face white. I realized what the Rebbe was concerned about and decided to take action. I slowly approached the table and at an opportune moment I quickly slipped the incriminating documents into my pocket. Over the next few minutes, I shredded them with my fingers into little bits. When the job was done, I asked to be excused, saying my stomach hurt and I had to go out. Unwillingly, the commander sent me with an escort to the outhouse where I emptied the contents of my pocket until nothing remained.
When I went back inside, I waited for the right moment and whispered to the Rebbe, “I burned the chametz.” The Rebbe’s face changed completely, for he understood what I meant. His color returned and I saw that I had revived him. (This story appears with certain changes but this is how I heard it from him many times).
Afterward, they asked a Jewish seamstress who was there, to translate a page of calculations of income and expenditures of the network of Yeshivos Tomchei T’mimim that they found among the papers.
This seamstress did not know how to read and write in Hebrew but she cleverly made believe she could read. After a few seconds she said to them, “This is a grocery receipt! What do you need this nonsense for?” And she threw the papers in the garbage.
THE GASHMIUS OF A JEW
R’ Mendel Leib Abramson, may Hashem avenge his blood, told me:
After the communist revolution, the economic situation deteriorated, especially for religious Jews. It became quite desperate.
When the Rebbe Rayatz went to Moscow, the economic situation was so bad that I did not have the few coins in my pocket that I needed to pay for the trolley to go and see the Rebbe (although he had been well off before communism). I had to walk a long way.
When I had yechidus, I handed the Rebbe three full pages. The Rebbe took the pidyon nefesh and answered all my questions.
When I began to walk out, he called me and said, “Until now, you asked about spiritual matters. What about material things?”
“I don’t care about gashmius at all,” I said with a dismissive motion of my hand.
The Rebbe smiled and said, “It doesn’t bother you, but your gashmius affects me greatly,” and he blessed me and my situation improved a bit.