Rabbi Lipskar Reached Out to Set the Story Straight

Several years ago, a story was published on Anash.org involving Rabbi Sholom Ber Lipskar of Bal Harbor, Florida. Seeking to ensure its accuracy, Rabbi Lipskar reached out with the exact details of the story, “considering its importance involving our dear Rebbe.”

By Anash.org staff

Several years ago, a story was published on Anash.org involving Rabbi Sholom Ber Lipskar of Bal Harbor, Florida. Seeking to ensure its accuracy, Rabbi Lipskar reached out with the exact details of the story, “considering its importance involving our dear Rebbe.”

Rabbi Lipskar shared the following:

I read the story entitled ‘One Yid’s Tefillin’ which occurred with me. The story was gleaned from the diary of a bochur studying then at 770, which was published in a teshura.

However, the story was apparently recorded at the time based on ‘770 hearsay,’ and although the gist of the story is true, several details were inaccurate. Therefore, for the sake of historical fact, especially considering its importance involving our dear Rebbe, I would like to take this opportunity to  share the precise story:

In Adar 5733/1973, I received a phone call from Rabbi Chadakov that I should approach Mr. Mel Landau to put on tefilin and tell him ‘that the Rebbe is going to the Ohel.’ I could hear the Rebbe on the line during the call.

Rabbi Chodakov told me that I should specifically use good mehudardike tefillin. When I stammered about not having an extra quality pair, I was told that the intent was for me to use my own (‘di eigene’). I was told to come with nice tefillin boxes (mine were worn out). Lastly, I was told that when I finish I should call the mazkirus to report my success.

I did as I was instructed and I went to buy tefillin boxes, but could not find any for sale in Miami. I ended up buying a cheap pair of tefillin for $50 (about $300 today), left the tefillin in the store and took just the boxes.

I went to visit Mr. Landau with the tefillin, and although Mr. Landau had consistently refused my offer for tefillin, this time, when I told him that ‘the Rebbe is going to the Ohel,’ he agreed to put them on.

After I was done, I called the mazkirus office to convey my success to the Rebbe. The Rebbe was at the Ohel, and so they called Rabbi Yudel Krinsky on his car phone. Rabbi Krinsky went into the Ohel to notify the Rebbe, and when the Rebbe heard the news, he smiled.