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By Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht

The youthful Harav Shlomo Zalman Hecht – the Rebbe’s Shliach to Chicago, and Harav Shmuel Levitin, elder Chossid and Mashpia of 770, were in earnest discussion, sometime in the early 1940’s, as they stood in the foyer—today the Gan Eden Hatachton—that is situated adjacent to the steps leading up to the Previous Rebbe’s residence.

Suddenly, Rav Yoshe Ber Soloveitchik, who had just arrived at 770 ascended the steps going up to the Previous Rebbes residence. Around ten to fifteen minutes later, Reb Yoshe Ber, who was already serving as the Rosh Yeshivah of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) of Yeshivah University, came over to Reb Shmuel and Reb Shlomo Zalman. He exclaimed, “You have no idea of what a Gaon (Torah genius) the Rebbe is.”

They asked him what occurred by the Rebbe that he is in such great excitement. He answered them, that he and his family are remarkably close to the Beis Harav. And therefore, when he has something that he considers to be a big chidush (novel idea) in Torah learning he seeks to share it with a very learned Torah scholar. In NYC there are few people whom Rav Yosha Ber can share it with. Therefore, he decided to visit the (Previous) Rebbe and share with him his newfound chidush in Rambam.

The Rebbe received him in his holy study (Cheder Hayichidus) and Rav Yoshe Ber shared his chidush in Rambam, that if correct, would establish a new principle and way of interpreting several topics that the Rambam discusses.

Having listened to Rav Yoshe Ber, the Rebbe reached out to his seforim holder, a carousel of holy Torah Seforim (books), and removed a volume of the Rambam.

The Rebbe opened the Rambam and pointed with his holy finger to a specific Halacha. Indicating that Reb Yoshe Ber, look and see what is written. Upon reading it he realized that his attempted chidush in the Rambam was not correct. All this occurred with the REBBE not saying having to say a word.

Reb Yoshe Ber said to Reb Shmuel and Reb Shlomo Zalman, can anyone fathom what an incredible gaon the Rebbe is? The world needs to know this!

Note: This episode was related by Reb Shlomo Zalman Hecht to his younger brothers my father Reb Avrohom Dov and R’ Sholom Hecht.

***

A Chossid of Russia and a Chossid of America

The Bochurim of 770-Zal (the older students in the study hall) were engrossed in their studying, when Reb Chaim Leiberman, the Previous Rebbes, assistant came in to the Zal and went over to the Hatomim Avrahom Dov Hecht, the Rebbe is asking for you to present yourself upstairs, in his study. He quickly made his way up and stood before the REBBE filled with awe and apprehension. The Rebbe said, “Avraham do you know the difference between a Chossid of Russia and a Chossid of America?”

He did not answer – waiting for the Rebbe to continue. “An American Chossid is like a piece of paper when ignited immediately catches fire, it gives off a big flame, and just as quickly extinguishes. A Russian Chossid, however, is likened to a piece of coal. It takes effort for it to ignite and catch on fire, however, once it is ignited, it retains the flame and continues to warm for a long time.”

Having concluded the Rebbe said to him “You may go now.”

This happened between the years 1941 and 1943.

Note: In discussing this episode with my father, I asked, what may have been the reason for this rare occurrence that the REBBE had you appear before him. My father replied, that in the ZAL amongst the Bochurim Temimim, there was a bit of competition between the American boys and those that originated from Russian families. The Rebbe put it to rest, knowing full well that he (Avrohom Dov) would share this with all the students in Zal.

***

On Shlichus in 1945 in Boston, MA, to open Achei Temimim parochial day schools, the young newly married Reb Avrohom Dov Hecht was walking Sunday morning in the heavily Jewish and Irish Roxbury neighborhood.

His goal was the registration of Jewish children for the boy’s school, and he was not meeting with much success. The doors were being slammed in his face by irate parents who said to him “young man why are you not serving in the Army, there’s a war going on. ”

To add to his consternation two fellows – in their early teens passed by him – misidentifying him as being a clergyman from another faith.

One teen says to him “Good Sunday morning Father, and the other fellow snickers and says, “He’s NO father he’s got no children.”

Recalling that everything that a Jew sees or hears is a lesson to be derived according to the teachings of the Bal Shem Tov, my father realized, its true. He has not yet succeeded in enrolling any children in day school.

He wrote and sent a letter to the Previous Rebbe opining that he may not be capable of doing this kind of work. He feels that he is not worthy enough to accomplish the task.

Within a few short days he received the Rebbe’s response by mail. There the Rebbe pointed out that “humility (anivus) that is misplaced, derives its source from haughtiness (ga’ava).”

He immediately redoubled his efforts and in a short while was able to establish two separate schools, one for boys and one for girls, with each having hundreds of students.

Note: Each Shlichus has its challenges. One should never give up. The sincere and heartfelt efforts (Mesiras Nefesh) for sharing the light of Torah and Chassidus will break through the darkness of exile and hasten the revelation of MOSHIACH NOW.

***

Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht serves as director of Beth Israel Chabad of Westport/Norwalk CT., and is a Member Presidium Rabbinical Alliance of America

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