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By Rabbi Gershon Avtzon

There is a well-known story and saying that is attributed to the Chasam Sofer. The Chasam Sofer was once giving a shiur and he said an amazing insight into the Gemara. He then told his students: I will never be upset if you say over my insights in your own name (as if they are your own), but I will be upset if you say over your insights in my name!

Many people have asked me how I felt after certain individuals put out a forged article with my name as the author, in which they intentionally espoused ideas and views that I am strongly against. I would be lying if I would say that initially I was not hurt, after all the only thing that truly belongs to a person is their good name, but after a very short while I realized that I need to change my direction of focus. Instead of focusing on the brazenness of the action, to try to think about what lesson I could take from this event.

We all believe that everything that happens to us is by divine providence. Thus if something like this happens, while not excusing the perpetrators, it should be taken as a lesson in Avodas Hashem. This is the approach that the Rebbe taught us and this is how we have to approach every situation.

There are many personal lessons that I have taken from this and I would like to share one of them with the public as it is something that we all have to take more seriously: The importance of quoting the Rebbe accurately and the pain the Rebbe has when his Chassidim are not careful about this important concept.

Let me share a story with you: In 1982 a certain professor wrote an article in which he claimed that there is no contradiction between the age of the world according to Science – in which they claim the world is millions of years old! – and the opinion of the Torah. He claimed that there is no problem saying that even according to the Torah the world was created in stages and thus the world existed for millions of years. To back up his preposterous claim, he (mis)”quoted” a letter of the Rebbe and claimed that the Rebbe agrees (Cha”v) with his thesis.

Chassidei Chabad were furious that someone could brazenly misquote the Rebbe in such a way and Rabbi Yosef Hecht shlita – Shliach of the Rebbe and Chief Rabbi of Eilat – called this professor and expressed his anger and frustration that this professor could do such a thing to the Rebbe. The professor heard what Rabbi Hecht had to say and responded that he is entitled to his own understanding in the words of the Rebbe!

Rabbi Hecht was shocked by this answer and wrote the whole story to the Rebbe. The Rebbe responded with a shockingly strong answer (printed in Likkutei Sichos volume 30 page 267 and Igros Kodesh volume 35 page 44 #11,931): “The great pain that I have is not so much from the fact that he (the non-Chabad professor) acts this way (twists the Rebbe’s words completely to fit his theses), rather from the fact the Anash act this way and even more (worse).” The Rebbe then continues to address the shock that he has that the professor could come to such a misunderstanding in the Rebbe’s words.

This answer from the Rebbe should make every Chassid tremble and push us to make a true soul-searching calculation: Are we careful not to allow our preconceived notions and ideas affect the way that we understand, internalize and share the Rebbe’s words? Do we realize how much pain the Rebbe has from such behaviour? Should we be more careful and considerate in the future?

I would like to add a personal feeling: In today’s world, anything a Chabad Chassid says is being viewed by the outside as the words of the Rebbe. This is even when the Chassid is not quoting – or misquoting – the words of the Rebbe directly. On 3 Shevat 5752, the Rebbe told us that in a situation where the Rebbe’s words can’t physically be heard by people, the Chassidim of the Rebbe turn into his “Aharon” – his spokesman – to the world. This is how the world views us and we must think, speak and act accordingly. In their eyes and minds, and it is the truth, we are the real representatives of the Rebbe and we never want to say something that will shame the Rebbe’s name and cause him pain.

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Rabbi Gershon Avtzon is the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Lubavitch Cincinnati and a well-sought-after speaker and lecturer. Please feel free to share your thoughts on the above by sending me a R’ Avtzon email: [email protected].

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