At Yeshivas Torah Voda’as, Reb Meir Plotkin befriended an alumnus of the Chabad school in Montreal who the Rebbe succeeded in keeping in yeshiva instead of college. But one day the dormitory phone rang with Rabbi Chadakov on the line with a question from the Rebbe.
Reb Meir Plotkin relates:
Across the hall from me at Yeshivas Torah Voda’as roomed an alumnus of the Chabad school in Montreal. He was very diligent and wanted to continue learning Torah, but his mother wanted him to attend college. Thinking that the Rebbe would be her ally on this issue, she arranged a yechidus for the family.
After she explained the dilemma, the Rebbe responded, “I don’t understand. You are telling me that your son is succeeding in yeshiva, yet you want to send him to college. How can I agree to this?”
The Rebbe went on to test the boy on various Torah topics. As a result of the yechidus, he remained in yeshiva.
One evening, the payphone of the dormitory rang. At first, I ignored it, but it kept on ringing for twenty minutes, so I finally answered.
It was Rabbi Chadakov, and he wanted to speak to my friend. He said that the Rebbe was going to mention his name at the Ohel the next day. But the Rebbe had one condition, that he begin learning Chitas every day. Would he do it? Yes or no?
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.