By Anash.org staff
On this day in 5726/1966, 14 Menachem Av, Israeli President Zalman Shazar visited the Rebbe. He was first greeted by a delegation of older chassidim at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan, and then he came to 770 and spent several hours in yechidus. (Shabbos was 13 Av, and the visit took place on Motzoei Shabbos, the night of the 14th.)
Before this visit, much pressure was put on Mr. Shazar that as President of the State of Israel it wasn’t respectful for his position that he travel to the Rebbe. Instead, they said, that the Rebbe should visit him in his hotel, just as many other dignitaries and Rabbinic figures did.
Shazar called the Rebbe and said that there’s much pressure being put on him, and he asked the Rebbe if he would agree to visit him in the hotel. The Rebbe said he’ll ask the Frierdiker Rebbe. On Friday, the Rebbe went to the Ohel, something that which was quite unusual in those days. After a short stay at the Ohel, the Rebbe informed Shazar that the Frierdiker Rebbe said that “fun Lubavitch fort men nisht aroys” (from Lubavitch one doesn’t travel).
On Motzoei Shabbos, at 11:00 pm, the presidential entourage left Manhattan and arrived at 770 close to midnight.
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