When a person told the Rebbe at ‘Dollars’ that he once attended a Tomchei Temimim yeshiva, the Rebbe clarified that it wasn’t something that he could get away from.
In a sicha on the seder night 5713 (1963), the Rebbe stated, “Once one has a connection to the Rebbe, even if it is minimal – that only occasionally he learns a maamar, or supports the Rebbe’s endeavors – his fate has been sealed. He will forever have a relationship with the Rebbe!”
On the 15th of Elul 5751 (1991), the day the original Tomchei Temimim yeshiva was established in Lubavitch in 5657 (1897), a man approached the Rebbe on the dollars line.
Although he was not a chossid, he said to the Rebbe that in his youth he had once studied at a Tomchei Temimim yeshiva.
The Rebbe corrected his wording, “If you were once a tomim, you remain a tomim for life. You don’t have a choice.”
(Zorea Tzedakos Matzmiach Yeshuos, Page 136)
From The Weekly Farbrengen by Merkaz Anash
Discussion
We appreciate your feedback. If you have any additional information to contribute to this article, it will be added below.