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By Rabbi Gershon Avtzon, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Chabad Cincinnati
This past week, 30 Shevat, was the 7th Yahrtzeit of my dear friend, Rabbi Chaim Schneuz Zalman Baras A”H. We grew up together since kindergarten and he served as the leading mashpia at our Yeshiva in Cincinnati. As close friends, we would discuss many personal things as well as develop many chinuch ideas.

Using Opportunities 

I remember once talking to him about the balance that educators have to figure out when it comes to the investment of their time in their spiritual children, their talmidim, and their own biological children. In the middle of the discussion, he said the following: A parent that is in tune with his role as his child’s educator, will view every interaction as a chinuch opportunity. Every simple interpretation — whether a meal, a walk to shul, or even playing a game — could and should be used as another tool and opportunity to educate, bond and build up the child.

This concept of taking advantage of the opportunities presented to us is true to all aspects of our shlichus as Chassidim of the Rebbe. We never know the results of our actions and we just need to take advantage of the opportunities that allow us to act.

A Soul Transformed

On this topic, I want to share an amazing story that I heard first-hand.

Some background first: There is a couple, both balei teshuva, that had been blessed with many children, baruch Hashem, many of whom I personally know. I was always so impressed that these parents, who did not grow up in the Chabad community, were able to raise such Chassidishe and dedicated children. It is truly amazing that all their married children serve as Shluchim of the Rebbe all over the world.

I recently had the opportunity to walk somewhere with the father of the family, who is close to 80 years old, and we had 20 minutes of time together. I casually asked him to tell me his story, and this is what he told me:

“I was actually born and raised in Crown Heights in the 1940’s when the Rebbe Rayatz was alive in this world, but I had no personal connection to Chabad at all. I went through college, traveled the world a little, and at a certain point I was living somewhere in Upstate New York. One day, I decided to go to the local Jewish center to connect with other local Jews. I drove to the center and it was closed, but there was a sign on the door that there would be a lecture in the shul that was adjacent to the Jewish center.”

“Since I was already there, I waited and attended the lecture. The lecture was given by Rebbetzin Rochel Altein, who together with her husband, Rabbi Mordechai Altein, were shluchim to the Bronx, and I was fascinated by what she was saying. After the lecture, I approached her and asked her if there was a place I could learn more about the type of mystical and spiritual Judaism she described in her lecture. She recommended that I contact her father, the legendary Chassid Rabbi Yisroel Jacobson, who has recently founded “Hadar Hatorah” – a special Yeshiva for Balei Teshuvah. I contacted him and ultimately became a full-fledged Lubavitcher Chassid.”

The Canceled Lecture 

Here is the “punchline” of the story: “Years later,” continued this special Chassid, “I met Mrs. Altein and I reminded her how her lecture literally changed the trajectory of my life and the life of my family — and really the lives of all those which are positively affected by my children and grandchildren on shlichus. She then revealed something fascinating: She was not even supposed to be giving the lecture that night!

When the shul advertised the lecture, they had asked a non-Chabad person to give the lecture. The morning of the lecture, the speaker called in sick. The shul panicked as they had people coming and nobody to speak. They were advised that in situations like this, where last minute mesiras nefesh is required, the only people that would agree are Chabad. They called the Alteins and asked the Rebbetzen to come speak in a few hours.

She was going to decline, but her illustrious husband, Reb Mordechai, told her that shluchim of the Rebbe need to take advantage of every opportunity to teach Yidden about Yiddishkeit. She quickly prepared something and drove the distance to give the lecture. She had no idea what tremendous impact that lecture would have on one individual which has now expanded to over 100 descendants.

A Chassid is a lamplighter and a soldier. We have a goal to accomplish, to get the world ready to greet Moshiach Tzidkeinu, and we must look to use every opportunity we have to accomplish that goal.

On a Personal Note

It is an honor to mention the work of Rabbi and Rebbetzin Altein A”H. Although I did not know them personally, they had a tremendous effect on my life. They were the ones that were mekarev my mother’s parents to Chabad and encouraged my grandparents to move to Crown Heights and send their children to Chabad mosdos. If you feel that you are receiving any benefit from these articles, it is (also) in merit of the devotion of this special couple that used every opportunity to spread Yiddishkeit.

Please feel free to share your thoughts on the above with me by sending me a personal email: [email protected]

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