Amidst the Sinai campaign of 5717, the Rebbe commended R’ Binyomin Levin for exerting himself to assist in farbrengen preparations. In fact, preparing the Yud Tes Kislev farbrengen was something both the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin did in their youth.
Get Active!
After an Israeli Major-General joined a 19 Kislev farbrengen, he notified the Rebbe of his “special experience and a feeling of elevation.” The Rebbe replied that as a Tzahal commander, he knows that what counts most is: action.
“Chitas is Like Alef Beis…”
When R’ Shimon Neubort was asked by the Rebbe what he learns for Chassidus, he replied that he learns the daily Tanya. But the Rebbe wasn’t pleased with his reply.
“Together We Fulfilled the Shlichus of the Eibershter!”
In the small zal in 770, R’ Meir Harlig was sitting alone, when the Rebbe walked in and gave him matzos to take to the airport. Upon reporting back, the Rebbe shared powerful words on the meaning of shlichus.
The Eruv Controversy
When the question of building an eruv came up in Detroit, local shliach R. Yankel Krantz a”h consulted with the Rebbe. The Rebbe told him to oppose its construction since it would cause negligence in Shabbos observance and rejected the argument that it would save those who carry.
“There Is No Need To Break Walls or Burst Doors”
Speaking about how he had begged chassidim to learn and spread more Chassidus without avail, the Rebbe choked up and said that even a small effort would bring Hashem’s salvation.
The Rebbe’s Message to Head of World-Class Israeli Hospital
When Dr. Mordechai Shani, the director of the Sheba Medical Center, was in yechidus in the autumn of 5737 (1976), the Rebbe brought up the issue of the place of technology in medicine.
He Either Doesn’t Need the Title ‘Shliach,’ or Doesn’t Deserve It
When Reb Mendel Futerfass tried recruiting 770 bochurim for the Kfar Chabad yeshiva, they said they’d only go if they are “shluchim.” The Rebbe‘s sharp response shocked Reb Mendel.
Take Your Donation Back!
During a Simchas Torah farbrengen, the Rebbe made a promise that pledges to tzedaka made at the farbrengen would bring a five-times return. When some people came forward after Yom Tov, the Rebbe said it was too late.
The Message to Non-chassidishe Bochurim on American Shores
One of the Rebbe‘s first activities on American shores was a public farbrengen on Sukkos for non-chassidishe yeshiva bochurim. At one such farbrengen, before the nesius, the Rebbe explained to them the meaning of a minhag.
How Parnassa Is Dictated
Traveling to the Rebbe, spending time in 770, has always been a cornerstone in the ruchniusdike life of a chossid. In one exchange, the Rebbe explained how this can also affect one’s livelihood.
When He Doesn’t Realize That There’s a Shaila
“Luach Kolel Chabad,” published for the first time almost 100 years ago, is republished every year with relevant updates. The need for such a luach, the Rebbe explained, was to address shailos – or to inform that there is a shaila to begin with.
Don’t Forget Basic Halacha
When American author Herman Wouk became involved in publishing a Chumash in braille for the visually impaired, the Rebbe was pleased but not satisfied, and he suggested a different sefer.
When It’s Good To Be Afraid
As a seminary student, Mrs. Esther (Chitrik) Piekarsky was mentoring high school girls and felt afraid of the responsibility. During yechidus, the Rebbe told her why it was good that she was afraid.
How the Rebbe Inspired Elul in Lubavitch
To utilize the month of teshuva properly, the Rebbe instructed the yeshiva staff to inspire their students with an extra seder of avoda’dike maamarim and by telling stories of how chassidim conducted themselves during this special month.
“Have You Met the King?”
When twelve-year-old Yaakov Hertzog from London, UK, said that he learned about the “King in the field,” the Rebbe asked him if he ever met him. The Rebbe then told him where he could meet the King.
You Can Channel Your Sad Mood
As a bochur, Reb Zalman Gopin, today the Kfar Chabad mashpia, was in a dilemma about regulating his mood. The Rebbe showed him how he could utilize whatever mood he was in to serve Hashem.
To Look Out for Another
One Chof Av before the nesius, the Rebbe prepared to serve as chazan, when he noticed a bochur who had yahrtzeit on that day. What the Rebbe proceeded to do taught Reb Leibel Dubov a great lesson in ahavas Yisroel.
‘The Rebbe Knew Me’
As a bochur, Rabbi Sholom Blank, approached the Rebbe to receive a bottle of mashke and extended his left hand. A nearby chossid told him to use his right hand instead, but the Rebbe knew better.
The Rebbe Described to Him What ‘Olam Haba’ Looks Like
When Naftali Deutsch of Los Angeles asked in yechidus how to share Yiddishkeit with people of different backgrounds, the Rebbe advised him to take into account the audience’s mindset. As an example, the Rebbe explained how to describe Olam Haba.