י״ח תשרי ה׳תשפ״ו | October 10, 2025
One Hundred ‘Only Children’ on the Front
When the Yom Kippur War broke out, leading rabbonim in America declared a public fast, but the Rebbe disagreed, urging that the response must be simcha. When Reb Simcha Elberg told the Rebbe that some rabbonim had sons fighting on the front lines, the Rebbe shared a poignant reply.
Rabbi Sholom Ber Chaikin of Cleveland relates:
When the Yom Kippur War broke out, the Rebbe immediately began demanding an increase in simcha. Throughout the Yom Tov Sukkos, the Rebbe encouraged holding Simchas Beis Hashoeiva farbrengens, being joyous in a festive spirit.
During this period, the Agudas Horabonim of the USA and Canada announced a tainis, but the Rebbe held that an emphasis should be placed on simcha.
In a private conversation, the Rebbe shared his disapproval with Reb Simcha Elberg, a leader in the Agudas Horabonim, and added that the proclamation was not consistent with halacha to abstain from fasting on chol hamoed.
“Indeed,” Reb simcha replied. “But you must understand the circumstances. In fact, some of the rabbonim in the committee have their own children in the army on the battlefield.”
“I also have one hundred ‘only children’ on the front,” the Rebbe responded, referring the reserves from the Lubavitcher Chassidim that were called to serve.
(As heard from Rabbi Sholom Ber Chaikin)
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