Guidance and Leadership

"
Guidance
&
Leadership

Merkaz Anash
Guidance & Leadership
Table of Contents
8. Preface
10. As a Father Cares for his Children
How the Rebbe prepared us for the post-Gimmel Tammuz era
15. The Crown of the Community

The Mashpia as Spiritual Guide, from Dor HaMidbar to Dor HaShvi'i
27. Dare to Emulate

Reb Pinye Korf
34. In The Rebbe's Words

Sicha 12 Tammuz 5718 (1958)
37. Seeking Guidance

Lma'an Yishme'u
Please note:
Cover images are for the purpose of illustration and do not propose to be a comprehensive listing of rabbonim and mashpi'im.
Merkaz Anash does not take responsibility for the kashrus or quality of the advertisers.
"

"
Preface
A bochur once wrote to the Rebbe, outlining his plans for the future year. In the letter, he mentioned that he
had asked his mashpia for permission to go to college, and that his mashpia had indeed given him the necessary
permission.
The Rebbes answer to the mazkirus was brief. "l'varer me hu hamashpia" (determine who is the mashpia). Upon
investigation, the following story emerged. Apparently, the bochur had asked a friend of his to act as his mashpia,
and had asked this mashpia whether he should enroll in college. Evidently, the mashpia, not very impressed with
this scheme, retorted to the bochur "tu vos du vilst" (go do what you want). Armed with such a clear directive, the
bochur subsequently had written a letter to the Rebbe, claiming that his mashpia had given him permission to go
to college.
The story is humorous, and yet, at the same time, can very well cause one to rethink his or her approach to having a
mashpia. We can all see how misguided the Bochur was in his understanding of what a mashpia is all about. However,
how well do we understand the role of a mashpia? Do we truly appreciate the superiority of the mashpia and value
his guidance? Or are we perhaps, in some way, similar to the bochur, choosing someone just to fulfill an obligation
to "have a mashpia" and then follow them irrationally, being that this is "what my mashpia said".
So what is a mashpia?
The Rebbe, on occasion, expressed disappointment when people would excuse themselves for not turning to a
mashpia. Can these people not find someone who has more Ahavas Hashem and Yiras Hashem then them? asked the
Rebbe1. We see that a mashpia is first and foremost a spiritual guide, someone to look up to in matters of ruchniyus,
a person whose devotion to the values of yiddishkeit and chassidishkeit earn our respect. A mashpia is someone who
we can learn from when it comes to our own service of Hashem.
A great example can be taken from the world of business. Someone who is new to a field of business will naturally
feel lost, unable to make decisions, unsure of which direction he should be moving toward. The best thing, under the
circumstances, would be to learn the business from an older, more experienced businessman. Through watching the
experienced businessmans dealings, the newcomer will learn how to go about his own business affairs. And before he
makes a decision, the newcomer will want to know how the older, seasoned businessman feels about this deal. Even
though it is his own business, still, the young businessman values the advice that his older colleague shares with him.
Every bit of advice contains years of knowledge and experience. What the older businessman had to learn the hard way,
through trial and error, can now be learned by merely listening and understanding, through appreciating the wisdom
behind the advice.
In spiritual matters, things are no different. A mashpia is meant to be a person with years of experience and
knowledge. Someone who has the knowledge to guide, and at the same time, has actually worked on himself, who
1. Simchas Beis Hashoeivah 5713 (Lekutei Sichos vol. 24 p. 106). See Sefer Hasichos 5747 p. 71 that even the residents of S'dom recognized the need to appoint a
Rav who is spiritually greater than themselves (Lot, from the family of Avrohom Avinu).

has the experience and the know-how to lead his fellow2.
A mashpia is not merely a wall to bounce ideas off of, nor a crystal ball, to follow blindly. Rather, a mashpia is
someone with whom to discuss our issues, someone who helps us make decisions, and someone who we look up
to and respect.
When we give some thought to the idea of what a mashpia should be, and can be, it may occur to us that quite
possibly, there is room for improvement in this aspect of a chossids life. How many errors could be avoided, how much
misunderstanding could be averted, and how much better could we be serving Hashem if we only knew how to utilize
this tool which is so readily available to those who wish to avail themselves of it?
Hopefully, this compilation regarding different aspects of Asei lecha rav will encourage many to find a mashpia
for themselves, thereby fulfilling the Rebbe's personal request ("bakasha nafshis"), towards our benefit, b'gashmius
and b'ruchnius.
Merkaz Anash
We would like to thank those who have helped us prepare this booklet:
R' Uri Kaploun for his superb editing and insight.
R' Y Browd and Levi Kosofsky for their help in preparing the articles.
R' Sholom Laine from The Print House for printing the booklet.
The advertisers for making this publication possible.
May they all be bentched bebanei chayei umezoinei rvichei, vkol tuv begashmiyus uberuchniyus.
2. See Sefer Hasichos 5747 p. 48 that a mashpia should be greater than oneself in Torah knowledge and actual experience of serving HaShem.
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As a Father Cares for his Children

How the Rebbe prepared us for the post-Gimmel Tammuz era Potent
guidance and direction The chilling events of 2 Adar, 5748 (1988)
sponsored by reb daniel jacobson and family

Gimmel Tammuz, 5754 (1994)
Shock, confusion, pain.
And then the multitude of questions surfaced:
Could it be that the Rebbe did not forewarn us?
May we chas vesholom suggest that this was an error in
the plan?
But the shock was yet to come, ten days after the
histalkus, on Motzoei Shabbos, 2 Adar, 5748.
What would the Rebbe say to us now?
On that evening the Rebbe served as sheliach tzibbur for

Maariv at his home on President Street. Havdala followed,
after which the Rebbe was expected to go upstairs.
And then on a practical level: How does the Rebbe want

the Lubavitch community to be run, and by whom? To
whom do we bring our questions mundane and
spiritual, personal and communal?
Suddenly, the Rebbe turned to the chassidim, ready to

share a sicha. The hundreds present immediately took
their places, and a hookup was hastily arranged to be
heard and watched in 770.
The simple answers to these crucial concerns lie in an

awe-inspiring event, on a Motzoei Shabbos, deep into the
winter of 5748 (1988).
Everyone present understood that something out of the

ordinary was happening. The silence was tense, as the
Rebbe began by saying:
At that time, like a father caring for his children, the

Rebbe specified a coherent plan of action for all of us to
follow.
A very good Motzoei Shabbos to all. May all the

inyanim of Motzoei Shabbos be revealed in a positive
manner.
The histalkus of the Rebbitzin on 22 Shvat, 5748, struck

the Lubavitch world with shock. But what most worried
chassidim was the Rebbe's demeanor. The Rebbe looked
very serious. More than once during the shivah, the
10
Rebbe choked with emotion as he served as sheliach

tzibbur. The Rebbe was clearly anxious, and with him all
the chassidim.
After introductory teachings on various subjects,

including Motzoei Shabbos and the concept of giving
brochos, the Rebbe looked very serious as he proceeded
to say:

The ongoing continuity of Chassidus and of the
Rebbeim until the coming of Moshiach is assured
beyond all doubt. Nevertheless, to counter the
doubt that some people may entertain on the
subject (and the numerical value of sofek equals
the numerical value of Amalek), let us be clear:
My father-in-law, the nasi of our generation,
once related that some years before the passing of
the Tzemach Tzedek [and after the passing of his
Rebbitzin Ed.], someone mentioned to him the
concept of bo'u nachshov cheshbono shel olam.
[In the Gemara, that phrase speaks of weighing and
monitoring one's life in this world, keeping in mind
its sequel in the World to Come. It thus alludes to
the subject of histalkus. Ed.]
Nevertheless, we see that the Tzemach Tzedek lived
and was active as Rebbe for some years after that.
At the time I wondered why this episode was told
to me
This was the first time the Rebbe had ever mentioned
this incident about the Tzemach Tzedek. Indeed, it had
never been printed in the name of any of the Rebbeim
nor had it ever appeared in the chassidic oral tradition.

After cryptically alluding to it, the Rebbe continued:
Indeed, the very discussion of this subject may be

regarded as a segula for good years and a long life.
The first nosi, Moshe Rabbeinu, began passing
on the nesius to Yehoshua immediately on being
commanded to do so, and in the course of his own
lifetime, when he appointed him to wage war
with Amalek. A similar pattern may be observed
with our Rebbeim
The Torah entrusts authority into the hands of
a beis din. They have been endowed and
empowered with this role and this mission.
The Torah dictates that when a person has a
question, he should approach rabbonim. When
necessary three rabbonim, or it could be only
one rov. Alternatively, if it is a private question,
one could speak with one rov, who will discuss the
issue with his colleagues and relay their joint
response to the questioner
Chazal say that one should regard the current chachomim just as those from the
previous generation. One should not say, "If Rebbi Akiva would be with us, I would
learn from him; if Rebbi Zeira and Rebbi Yochanan were alive, I would learn with
them." Rather, he should consider the chachomim of his own generation with the full
respect. This is the meaning of Shlomo Hamelech's words, "Do not justify yourself by
saying that the earlier days were better than these."
) " ",(" "
11

In times bygone, there would need to be a
mashpia as well as a rov, in order to clarify a ruling
from all sides. However, today, when we have the
concept of chassidishe rabbonim, the Lubavitcher
rabbonim incorporate all the required qualities, so
they also have the distinctive quality of a mashpia
[The Rebbe here defined a chassidisher rov as one
who actively studies Chassidus. Ed.]
The Torah commands us to follow the

instructions of the rabbonim in each
generation. Chazal explain that no
matter the greatness of the leading
chachomim, we are obligated to heed
their guidance. Though Yiftach was
no comparison to Shmuel HaNavi in
greatness, the people of his generation
were nevertheless obligated to hold him
in equal regard.
The Sefer HaChinuch writes that
one who disregards their advice is
forfeiting a mitzvas asei and deserves
great punishment: "For this is a firm
pillar upon which the Torah stands,
as can be understood by anyone with
understanding."
)('
12
Therefore, in every city and town there should

be a beis din of chassidishe rabbonim to deal with
the issues that arise. In a place where there are no
three chassidishe rabbonim, a third rov should be
brought in from another place, or alternatively,
one of the townspeople could be chosen by the
rabbonim to join them, as is prescribed in the
Halacha
And so, regarding all questions that may arise,
one should know that their answer already lies
with the rabbonim. All you need to do is ask them.
All Jews, including even those described in [chapter
2 of] Tanya as tzipornayim, have an inborn soul-link
with Moshe Rabbeinu, and with the extension of
Moshe Rabbeinu in every generation. By virtue of
this link, they are animated by all his inyanim, in
gashmiyus and even more so in ruchniyus. In the
words of the pasuk, Tov ayin hu yevorach [Literally,
"He whose eye is generous will be blessed," on
which Chazal comment, Tov ayin hu yevarech "He
whose eye is generous will bless." Ed.]
Toward the end of the thirty-eight minute sicha, the

Rebbe showered his brochos on all those assembled,
including the Rebbe himself:
May we all have arichus yomim, with the blessings
of HaShem for bonei, chayei umezonei, in a plentiful
manner.

Wishing everyone a joyous Motzoei Shabbos...
Immediately after the sicha, the Rebbe distributed

dollars [to be given for tzedaka] to all those present.
Word of this spread quickly, and thousands flocked to
President Street to receive a dollar from the Rebbe's
holy hand.
As the line thickened, the rabbonim, the members of the
beis din of Crown Heights, hastily convened. They
decided they must approach the Rebbe himself.
The leader of the group, HaRav Marlow, after wishing
the Rebbe long life, said to the Rebbe: "This weeks
parsha begins with the words Veata tetzaveh ('and you
shall command') and everyone knows whom the
Veata is referring to"
The Rebbe immediately answered, borrowing a phrase
from the same pasuk: There should be a ner lamaor ("a
lamp to serve as a luminary"), which presumably means
that the leadership of the Rebbe should spread forth to
the rabbonim
The Rebbe then paused, lowering his holy eyes in
thought. After a moment's contemplation, the Rebbe
said, again borrowing a phrase from that pasuk, and
emphasizing the word kosis: I dont mean kosis lamaor.
[The pasuk says that olives should be "crushed for the
luminary."] May the above take place without the kosis
[that is, without a crushed heart]. May it take place with
revealed and apparent good.
As the Rebbe left to go upstairs, he turned to one of the

mazkirim and asked if there was anyone who hadnt yet
received a dollar. Another few people approached, and
the Rebbe handed them each a dollar.
As the Rebbe began to walk up the stairs, another
chossid arrived. The Rebbe turned around, and went

down two steps. With a glowing countenance, as the
Rebbe was standing on the stairs, he leaned over the
banister to provide this last chossid with his brocha.
The sicha was delivered, but understandably not

published. Rightly or wrongly, chassidim could not
entertain the thought.
Six years passed. Gimmel Tammuz, 5754 (1994).
For the first time, the sicha is published in the Kfar
Chabad Magazine, and is circulated among chassidim
the world over. This is the only instruction the Rebbe
publicly gave to adas hachassidim, addressing the postGimmel Tammuz era.
Throughout Lubavitch communities, the Rebbe's words
vibrate. Chassidim analyze the details that had initially
gone unnoticed.
Some dwell on these words: regarding all questions
that may arise, one should know that their answer
already lies with the rabbonim. All you need to do is
ask them.
Others are taken by the next few lines: All Jews have
an inborn soul-link with Moshe Rabbeinu, and with
the extension of Moshe Rabbeinu in every generation.
By virtue of this link, they are animated by all his
inyanim, in gashmiyus and even more so in ruchniyus.
Some point to the Rebbe's words to HaRav Marlow: May
the above take place without the kosis [that is, without a
crushed heart].
All note the connection with the classic maamar that
begins with the words, Ve'ata tetzaveh. That maamar,
the last to be published by the Rebbe, dwells on the
concept of kosis.
Some chassidim observe that exactly 830 days passed
between 27 Adar I, 5752 (1992), the day the Rebbe fell
13

ill, and 3 Tammuz, 5754 (1994). And the numerical value
of kosis is 830
Another chilling connection is made between the Rebbe's
opening words, May all the inyanim of Motzoei Shabbos
be revealed in a positive manner, and his repeated
mention of Motzoei Shabbos throughout the sicha and
that unforgettable Motzoei Shabbos six years later, Gimmel
Tammuz, 5754 (1994)
However, the nucleus of the sicha the obligation to seek
guidance from chassidishe rabbonim is understood by all.

Comfort can be found between the soothing words of
the sicha. The Rebbe has it all planned out. All we have to
do is follow his guidance.
(The boldface extracts from the sicha of 2 Adar 5748

were paraphrased, from the original videotape of
the event, by the editorial staff of MERKAZ ANASH
and on their responsibility alone.)
At the farbrengen of Simchas Torah 1928 ))", the Frierdiker Rebbe was
speaking of the need to be connected to the "head" (the Rebbe), when he turned
to Reb Chatshe Feigin and said, "This is your job, to see that there should be
mashpi'im in every town."
Reb Chatshe asked if he should find someone locally who could serve as a
mashpia, and the Frierdiker Rebbe replied, "Yes, with this they will be connected
to the head."
Reb Chatshe then asked, "Is that because the mashpia is closer to the head?"
14
The Frierdiker Rebbe gave his confirmation.

)49 '(" "
The Crown of the Community

The Mashpia as Spiritual Guide, from Dor HaMidbar to Dor HaShvi'i
The sun beat mercilessly on the endless line of people
who inched their weary way past the tent of the great
Rebbe, the nasi nador. Each of them had something else
on his mind on that scorching desert day: a chicken with
a shayla, a monetary dispute, a spiritual quandary.
Observing his son-in-law's superhuman caseload, Yisro
offered his advice that Moshe Rabbeinu establish a
pyramid of authority, by which he would delegate the
work of guiding bnei Yisrael. Every Yid would thus have
an accessible guide, and Moshe Rabbeinu would be able
to concentrate personally on the truly difficult dilemmas.
communal leadership when the Yidden ultimately

reached their reached their destination, Eretz Yisroel.
Thus, for example, the framework of universal education
that reached its amazing peak during the reign of
Chizkiyohu4 did not hinge on any single individual: it
was obviously manned by hundreds of Torah teachers
deployed throughout the land.
Surviving Golus
Undeniably, the plan called for a compromise on quality.

The thousands of rabbonim could certainly not match
the knowledge or piety of the Rebbe of all Rebbeim, but
at the same time, this was the genius of Yisros vision.
He was helping klal Yisrael mature. True, no one can
substitute the nasi. Nevertheless, in order to survive and
thrive, a healthy community of cared-for individuals
must also have local, accessible rabbonim and mashpi'im
whose guidance can be followed.
Likewise, when our people were scattered in exile, the

scholastic giants of the Gemara shared the onus of
reponsibility for instituting local teaching and spiritual
leadership with each individual community5. And so on,
throughout the Diaspora over the next three millennia,
the Tunisian chacham, the Lithuanian maggid and the
German rabbin, had their visible differences but all of
them served as the navigators whose sense of direction
enabled their respective communities to maintain an
even keel, despite the turbulent waves and the cultural
storms that our nation has been destined to survive.
Moreover, aside from the inevitable compromise on the

quality of leadership, this plan, like many a good plan,
couldnt be realistically carried out as it was drafted on
paper. For a start, of the four qualifications Yisro laid
down for eligible candidates, the Torah relates that only
one was found in all of them.3 This, too, was to be a
cautionary lesson for future generations: spiritual
guides, like all other mortals, certainly have faults. No
one is perfect in an imperfect world but that does not
mean that any society can dispense with leaders.
A secular academic once criticized the religious

perspective of Jewish history as a long list of rabbis.
He wasnt wrong. A person to whom Yiddishkeit means
little has a hard time grasping the significance of the
influence of rabbonim on the remarkable phenomenon
of Jewish survival. Yet the fact is that over the years,
spiritual leaders have served as the compass of their
respective communities by authoritatively setting the
tone in every matter, even the most mundane. Hence,
their part in shaping history cannot be overestimated.
Yisro's plan of delegation continued to be the model for
Yisro's vision thus did not merely service our people in
3. See Sforno, Shmos 18:25.
4. Sanhedrin 94b.
5. See, for example, Sanhedrin 17b.
15

practical questions of Halacha. Beyond that, a spiritual
leader has always served his community as the guiding
light to differentiate right from wrong. His word was
final on all matters, not merely spiritual affairs. Since the
communal rov was steeped in Torah and avodas HaShem,
the clarity of his vision could be trusted concerning the
delicate decisions that influenced the life of the
community. His finger was always on the pulse of the
local shul, of the local educational system, and of the
homes of the community members, monitoring their
progress and inspiring them to proceed along the
lifelong path of Yiddishkeit.
Chassidishe Mashpi'im
This aspect of the role of the communal leader took on
a new dimension with the revelation of Chassidus. The
specific needs that had to be met by the chassidishe
communities, as well as the winds of change in the
world outside, demanded that his guidance be upgraded
to pioneer fresh modes of leadership and inspiration.
Hence the role of the mashpia. In the words of the
Frierdiker Rebbe, Among chassidim, the mashpia plays a
primary role in creating a chassidisher lifestyle. The crown
of the chassidisher shtetl was the mashpia."6 Indeed, it is
impossible to imagine what chassidim or Chassidus
would look like, were it not for the input of chassidishe
mashpi'im, the elder chassidim, over the generations.
To begin with the first flowering of Chassidus Chabad:
When the Alter Rebbe published the Tanya in 5557
(1796), its Compiler's Foreword7 explicitly called upon
chassidim to consult with mashpi'im, whose task was to
clarify the teachings of Chassidus, and to help people
develop as chassidim by applying those teachings in
their lives. Indeed, for the last two hundred years, that
earnest call of the Alter Rebbe is closely studied by every
chossid, even before he begins the study of the Tanya
6.
7.
16
Sefer HaSichos 5703, p. 77.

Page 4.
itself!
The Frierdiker Rebbe describes in a historical essay the
early development of the position of mashpia as follows:
After the first fifteen years [of the Alter Rebbes
leadership, until 5540 (1780)], the community of Chabad
chassidim in White Russia numbered about 30,000. The
Alter Rebbe entrusted twelve individuals with the holy
task of traveling to the communities of chassidim in
cities and villages, in roadside inns and on the estates of
landowners.
"In addition to reviewing Chabad chassidic teachings in
public, these emissaries would farbreng with chassidim
to draw their hearts close to one another; they monitored
the conduct of the chassidim in their various places of
residence; appointed mashpiim and madrichim8; saw to
the organized collection of funds for the running
expenses of the Alter Rebbes household; and encouraged
Yidden to engage in agriculture. By 5555 (1795), those
emissaries estimated the number of Chabad chassidim in
White Russia and Ukraine to be 70,000.
(Apparently the Frierdiker Rebbe intended the article for
a wide audience of readers who would not be familiar
with the insiders' Chabad jargon. He therefore added
footnotes to explain the meaning of terms such as
farbrengen, maamad, and shadar. Interestingly, he
differentiates between the terms mashpia and madrich.
The footnote defining mashpia reads: It is the custom of
Chabad chassidim in every town, and in larger cities in
every shul, to appoint an individual to publicly teach
Chassidus both from a text and by repeating chassidic
discourses by heart. The footnote on the term madrich
reads: In the early years of the development of Chassidus,
there would be one elderly individual in every town who
would serve as the community's guide.)
8.
In some cases the Alter Rebbe himself would appoint mashpiim
in specific towns. For example he appointed R' Shimshon Melamed to be the
mashpia of Beshenkovitch (Sefer HaSichos 5700, p. 66).

Elsewhere, in a lengthy sicha on mashpiim, the Frierdiker
Rebbe9 makes it clear that the role of a mashpia includes
more than the mere academic task of teaching Chassidus.
As the very word mashpia indicates, the primary
function of a mashpia is to influence. The approach in
each case always varied of course according to the
personality of the mashpia and the specific needs of his
listeners. The guidance required by a yoshev ohel who
was steeped in Torah and davening, detached from
worldly affairs, was obviously unlike that needed by a
baal eisek, as precious as his avoda might be in the eyes
of HaShem. Recognizing the varying needs within his
specific community, a mashpia learned to divide his
time judiciously. Much also depended on whether he
held a full time position or whether he also served as
the local rov, shochet or melamed. Thus, as the Frierdiker
Rebbe mentions in another sicha,10 a prominent mashpia
by the name of R' Avraham Ber Babruisker earned his
living as a bookbinder.
The Mitteler Rebbe

So crucial was the function of a mashpia in the eyes of
9.
Sefer HaSichos 5702, p. 52.
10. Sefer HaSichos 5700, p. 155.
the Alter Rebbe that he appointed his son, who was to

succeed him as the Mitteler Rebbe, to serve as the
mashpia of the yungeleit in Liozna, alongside the noted
chossid R Aharon Strashelye, who was the mashpia for
the older chassidim.
A description of the Mitteler Rebbes activities in this
role can be found in an essay of the Frierdiker Rebbe11,
in which he records the impressions of an undercover
visit to Liozna by one of the leaders of the Haskala
movement. In one of the rooms adjoining the Alter
Rebbes shul, a young man, who he later discovered was
the Mitteler Rebbe, was delivering a shiur in Tanya to
twenty-three young men who listened to him intently.
Twice a week the Mitteler Rebbe gave a class to two
such groups of that size.
With love and devotion, as well as uncompromising
demands, the Mitteler Rebbe paved the way as one of
the earliest mashpi'im of Lubavitch. For generations
thereafter, hundreds of mashpi'im would follow in his
footsteps, blending care and concern with rigid
requirements, in order to bring out the best in their
students. It is significant that the Mitteler Rebbe
11. Yoman Admur HaRayatz, Vol. 8, p. 41.
Chazal say that one who is knowledgeable in Torah but did not receive
guidance from talmidei chachomim is reckoned an ignoramus. Since he has
not been taught the principles according to which one should approach
Torah scholarship, he is likely to apply incorrectly that which he has learnt.
)( "
17

personally was so detached from worldly things that he
did not know what a coin looked like. Nevertheless,
during his nesius he established dozens of farming
settlements ("colonies," as they were called) in southern
Russia, thereby providing a home and a livelihood for
some 27,000 Yidden, most of them unlearned but pious
chassidim.
As the geographical map of Lubavitch chassidim
expanded, the role of mashpia took on a new form.
Certain mashpi'im were appointed to travel throughout
the farflung communities to deal with their specific
concerns. Most notably, the Mitteler Rebbe appointed
his renowned chossid, R Hillel of Paritch, as their
itinerant mashpia, to inject them with inspiration,
direction and practical advice on how they could
enhance the commitment and experience of their
Yiddishkeit. Although these Jews were generally very
unsophisticated, R' Hillel, himself a scholar of stature,
forged an exceptionally close relationship with them.
From this point on, he dedicated his life to guide and

help them in all their spiritual as well as material needs,
and they in turn were extremely receptive. Whenever he
visited a village, the villagers would give him an
exuberant welcome.
His work is described by the Frierdiker Rebbe in these
words: "Reb Hillel was a mashpia with mesirus nefesh. He
would invest the greatest efforts into helping one
individual follower develop. The merest villager was
dear to him.... For each individual he had something
distinctive a story, a vort, and sometimes a niggun. He
always gave something that would strike a chord within
the soul of the particular yungerman who stood before
him."12
Even after R' Hillel was appointed as the rov of Bobruisk,
in the year 5612 (1852), he would still spend several
months a year doing his rounds throughout the colonies.
So deep was his bond with his mushpo'im that before his
Reb Chaim Klien, the director of The Heichal Shlomo Institute in Yerushalaim, had an interesting
yechidus with the Rebbe.
The Rebbe asked him, Who is the Rov of the shul, where you daven on Shabbos? Reb Chaim
answered that there was no official Rov. To this the Rebbe replied, If you seek my advice, then
on Friday nights, for Kabbolas Shabbos, take your son to a shul where there is a Rov. It makes
no difference which shul as long as there is an officiating Rov.
A Yiddishe child must know that at the end of davening, he approaches the rov to wish him a
gut Shabbos and the child will look forward to receiving a gut shabbos back from him
18
(As told by Simcha Raz in his book Sipurei Tzadikim page 342)

passing he asked to be buried among them in Kherson,
very far from his rabbei'im in Lubavitch. Little wonder
that over the years he has been looked upon as the
mashpia par excellence, a role model of what a mashpia
should be.
Another renowned mashpia of that era was a chossid by
the name of R' Yosef, who became a wagon driver on
the directive of the Alter Rebbe, and in his old age, on
the Mitteler Rebbes instruction, undertook the
responsibility of directing chassidim in the town of
Beshenkovitz.13
However, the role of mashpia was not limited to those
few chassidim of eminent stature. The Mitteler Rebbe
made it a rule that all chassidim traveling to and from
Lubavitch should teach and inspire their fellow
chassidim in all the villages they passed on the way.
This naturally infused new life in all those communities14.
Thus, every chossid who had had an encounter with the
Rebbe in Lubavitch was able to be mashpia on others. In
addition, as chassidishe communities took root,
townsfolk would elect their own full time mashpia, or a
number of mashpi'im for the various local shuls.
The Tzemach Tzedek

It became standard at that time for chassidim to make a
point of settling in towns where there were chassidishe
communities with mashpiim.15 In fact, the Tzemach
Tzedek set up yeshivos and kollelim, not necessarily large
ones, under the direct supervision of eminent chassidim
whom he handpicked personally, in all the big chassidic
communities.16 This comprehensive network thus
ensured that no community that requested a mashpia to
guide them in their avodas HaShem was left without
one. A child growing up in a chassidisher kehillah would
13. See Introduction to Pokeiach Ivrim.

14. See Kuntres Limud HaChassidus.
15. See Sefer Hasichos 5702, p. 53.
16. The Tzemach Tzedek and the Haskala Movement, p. 33.
be taught to observe the local rov and the mashpia as

they went about their avodas HaShem as they davened,
learned and farbrenged. He knew that when his father
was at a crossroads in his life and had to make a difficult
decision, he would seek the counsel of the rov or the
mashpia.
In many a case the mashpia had to be begged, cajoled
and pressured by the local Anash to take on the position.
Every community had its own favorite anecdotes about
how they finally managed to drag their mashpia out of
his pnimiyusdike life among his seforim into the town's
bustling olam hazeh. In some cases it was only through
the direct intervention of the Rebbe of the time that a
chossid agreed to take on the responsibility. After all,
the challenge confronting a mashpia has never been
easy. As the Frierdiker Rebbe used to say, a mashpia is a
funnel. On one hand, he must channel the lofty chassidic
teachings of his Rebbe down to ordinary chassidim
yet at the same time, he must take care not to lose one
drop of that life-giving elixir.
The Rebbe Maharash

Under the watchful and caring eyes of the Rebbe
Maharash, the garden of Chassidus, that had been
tended by dedicated elder mentors of one generation
after another, blossomed further and produced
succulent fruits warm and earnest chassidim who
were imbued with zest in their avodas HaShem. He relied
heavily on his mashpi'im in their task of guiding those
chassidim. At yechidus he would ask each mashpia about
his progress and would direct him as to the approach
that would best suit his particular community.
In Vitebsk, for example,17 a group of intellectual
yungeleit, baalei moichin, formed their own minyan. Their
mashpia, who served as their baal tefilla, would daven
very quietly and thoughtfully in chassidishe parlance,
moichindik.
19

At his first yechidus with the Rebbe Maharash, around
Rosh HaShana 5627 (1866), the Rebbe asked him his
usual question: Where are you holding? which meant
to ask at what point in his avoda had he left off, not long
earlier, with the Tzemach Tzedek.
When the mashpia told the Rebbe that he served as a
baal tefilla, the Rebbe told him, A baal tefilla stands on a
pedestal. If he does his job properly, he is meritorious
and brings merit to the public; if not, he sins and brings
sin upon the public.
The mashpia later related how the Rebbe "touched his
heart and gave him a new neshama." And when he
returned to Vitebsk and davened the first Kabbalas
Shabbos there, he davened with such passion that people
passing by stopped to see what had happened: that
davenen seemed to be more passionate than Kol Nidrei.
The Rebbe Rashab

Lubavitch, 5643 (1883). Times were tough, parnassa was
hard to come by, and the Haskala and the Zionist
movements were eating away at the fabric of Yiddishe life
throughout Europe. To make matters worse, the Rebbe
Maharash suddenly passed away, leaving a bereaving
community.
Although most Yidden were still frum, the vibrant life of
Chassidus threatened to wilt. The Frierdiker Rebbe
described this period as the churban of Lubavitch,18
because it would take roughly ten until the Rebbe
Rashab would assume leadership. During this time,
chassidim begged and pleaded with the Rebbe Rashab
to become Rebbe, but to no avail. He immersed himself
in learning and davenen, and had to travel much of the
time, due to his ill health. However, he still invested
considerable effort to ensure the welfare of his
chassidim.
(1897) was another milestone, and when its bochurim

went home they would light up their surroundings. In
fact, as part of their eating arrangements, they would
dine at various homes in Lubavitch. The Frierdiker
Rebbe, the educational director of the Yeshiva, explains
that this was arranged in order to penetrate the homes
of the baalei batim!
It seems that the purpose of the Yeshiva was to create
leaders of chassidim to train mashpi'im who would in
turn inspire the many chassidim throughout the region,
and beyond. Thus, in addition to the rabbonim and
shochtim and mohalim that the Rebbe Rashab sent out,
even as far away as the isolated communities of Gerusia
(Georgia), he likewise dispatched mashpi'im far and wide.
One example is the chossid by the name of R Aharon
Belinki of Bobruisk, who was sent to serve the chassidishe
community of Moscow.19
After years of work, complaints began to be heard from
many shuls throughout Russia, that the study of Chassidus
was too difficult for the regular participants in the
shiurim. One could only imagine the nachas that the
Rebbe Rashab had when he received such complaints.
Finally, the fruits of his labors were beginning to show
people now realized that something had been lacking,
and were hungry for Chassidus! In order to satiate that
new hunger, he wrote and published a booklet of original
maamorim, dedicated to the needs of the participants of
the shiurim, entitled Kuntres Uma'ayon20. It deals with the
trials and challenges confronting a Yid in business and
with his social pressures and worries, offering him
advice on how to overcome them and still remain
focused on the Will of HaShem.
During that trying period, the study and practices of
Chassidus were falling into a state of neglect. Many
longtime chassidim who could have been studying
The opening of Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim in 5657

18. Igros Kodesh Rayatz, Vol 3 p. 404.
20
19. Shemuos VeSippurim, p. 91.

20. See Introduction to Kuntres Umaayon.

Chassidus and adhering to its requirements were not
doing so, and the involvement of others waned.
Observing their plight and concerned for their
ruchniyusdike welfare, the Rebbe Rashab worked to
develop a plan that would breathe life into his chassidim
and awaken them from their slumber. Accordingly, in
the course of a consultation with the esteemed chossid
R' Yaakov Mordechai Bespalov, the Rov of Poltava, who
was a close confidant, he once suggested sending out
itinerant mashpi'im to visit the various towns. In each
town they would establish a regular shiur of Chassidus,
farbreng with the townsmen, and guide them in the
ways of Chassidus; this would inspire them to begin
living a true chassidisher life.
While in principle the Rebbe Rashab agreed with Reb

Yaakov Mordechai, he saw a need for a more practical
option, because sending full time mashpi'im to a town
and supporting them long term would require major
funds which he did not have at the time. He therefore
opted to send the choicest graduates of Tomchei
Temimim, who were steeped in Chassidus and avodas
HaShem, to travel throughout Russia and inspire
chassidim everywhere to lead a chassidisher life. In a
letter to his son, the Frierdiker Rebbe, describing his
discussion with Reb Yaakov Mordechai, he expressed
the hope that in the near future, with the help of
HaShem, he would be able to implement the ideal
option of having resident mashpi'im in every community.
R' Yaakov Mordechai, however, raised the concern that

while the mashpi'im would no doubt succeed in inspiring
the local chassidim to begin a shiur of Chassidus and to
apply themselves to it, he feared that perhaps the
inspiration might be short-lived. He argued that in
order for the chayus in Chassidus to endure, there would
have to be a resident mashpia in each town who would
constantly inspire the local people to grow.
How dear this ideal urging mashpi'im to teach Chassidus

was to the Rebbe Rashab, we can learn from his last
will to his son, the Frierdiker Rebbe: Yosef Yitzchok,
try hard to establish the study of Chassidus in the city,
which I have begun, and which (thank G-d) has been
well accepted. I am certain that Anash will assist you
with this work21
21. Chanoch LaNaar, p. 51.
The Rebbe Rashab told his son, the Frierdiker Rebbe: One must spend time in the
close company of elder chassidim (raibn-zich arum eltere chassidim colloquially,
"hanging around elder chassidim"). When I was younger I would spend time with
Reb Shmuel Ber and Reb Chaim Ber during the few weeks that they spent in
Lubavitch. I then spent three-quarters of a year applying what they spoke about.
)( '
21

The Rebbe Rayatz
The Frierdiker Rebbe understood this instruction to
mean strengthening the concept of mashpi'im in all
communities.
The catastrophic effects of World War I and the Russian
Revolution of 1917 had demolished the structure of many
organized Jewish communities. Communist persecution
forced thousands of rabbonim to flee the country en masse,
leaving their flocks stranded. The future looked bleak for
Yidden at large and also for adas hachassidim. And it was
during those fearsome times, in 5680 (1920), that the
Rebbe Rashab passed away, leaving his only son to tackle
the situation. And tackle it he did, head on.
The Frierdiker Rebbe saw the role of mashpia as inspiring
his fellow chassidim to forge ahead with mesirus nefesh,
especially during those difficult times, when
communication with the Rebbe was often impossible.
He immediately mobilized some of the most learned
chassidim to accept the yoke of directing Anash and
others through those trying times. They were all aware
that this meant endangering their lives, but with
chassidishe fire they dived right into the task at hand.
The historical work documenting the Frierdiker Rebbes
efforts to fortify Yiddishkeit in Soviet Russia, entitled
Toldos Chabad BeRussia HaSovyetis, describes the
Frierdiker Rebbes campaign to arrange for mashpi'im in
cities and towns across Russia. One letter cited there,
penned in the winter of 5682 (1922) by the celebrated
chossid Reb Chonye Morozov, who served as a secretary
of the Rebbe Rashab and of the Rebbe Rayatz, states: In
the winter of 5681 (1921) the Rebbe established a fund
called Kupas Rabbeinu with the goal of bringing into
fruition the directive of the Rebbe Rashab about
expanding the regular study of Chassidus and of Torah in
general. This fund was to cover the expenses of mashpi'im
who traveled from town to town in order to teach
Chassidus publicly, and to support yungeleit who taught
22
Chassidus. Thus, for example, R' Yisrael Jacobson records

in his memoirs22 that in 5685 (1925) the Frierdiker Rebbe
appointed him as the mashpia of Homil and paid him a
salary of forty rubles a month.
To further his campaign, the Frierdiker Rebbe addressed
numerous letters to chassidim at large and to individuals,
urging them to accept the position of mashpi'im, and also
to influential activists to ensure that their respective
communities would accept those mashpi'im. In addition
to organizing classes and study groups, each mashpia
was expected to set up three fundraising campaigns
for Kupas Rabbeinu, for Colel Chabad in Eretz Yisroel, and
for the Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva, which continued to
function for long decades even after its classes were
hounded and driven underground.
In a letter23 appointing R' Shmuel Bespalov, a son of the
above-mentioned rov of Poltava, as mashpia of Kharkov, the
Frierdiker Rebbe outlines his strategy to divide Russia
into regions and to appoint one individual to oversee the
activities for his entire region. Dozens of chassidim, young
and old, duly fanned out throughout Communist Russia,
encouraging Torah learning among Anash, arranging
clandestine farbrengens, and fighting to keep the fire of
Chassidus ablaze despite the seemingly impossible odds. It
was only due to the selfless dedication of those chassidim,
and the affectionate support and cooperation of their
communities, that Chassidus, and Yiddishkeit itself, survived
Stalin's ruthless regime.
One of the well-loved mashpi'im of Anash was R'
Shlomo Chaim Kesselman, later the mashpia of the
Central Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva in Lod and later in
Kfar Chabad. Twice he was exiled and imprisoned for
his work. Once, when speaking of the sterling work of
the mashpi'im, the Frierdiker Rebbe exclaimed,24
"There will come a day when the hem of Shlomo
22. Zikoron Livnei Yisrael, p. 100.
23. Igros Kodesh of the Rebbe Rayatz, Vol. 1, p. 77.

Chaims garments will be holy!"
Another revered mashpia was R' Yeine Kahn (hyd).
During the most trying periods, through the bloodthirsty
purges and then through the infamous famine, R' Yeine
encouraged and reinvigorated his fellow chassidim as
day after day they doggedly went about their lifethreatening tasks.
A glimpse into the influence of such a mashpia can be
obtained from an anecdote related by R' Mendel
Futerfas. At one point he informed R' Yeine, the local
mashpia, that the time had come for him to leave his
work on behalf of the underground network of the
Tomchei Temimim Yeshivos, because he realized that
the police were trailing him.
He writes: R' Yeine listened silently, and waited for me
to finish. He then raised his flaming eyes, gazed through
me with his most penetrating look, and said, as if to
himself: Kumt ois, az mesirus-nefesh hot eich a gvul

('That means that even mesirus nefesh has a limit').
"Those sharp words cut into my heart, and changed my
plans. They cost me another twenty years in the Soviet
Union, many of them in prison, and for that I am
eternally indebted to R' Yeine.
In Our Generation
From the beginning of his nesius, the Rebbe constantly
encouraged the communal rabbonim and mashpi'im and
upheld their standing in the eyes of Anash. In Montreal, for
example, the Rebbe personally appointed R' Peretz
Motchkin as the mashpia in the year 5714 (1954), and
directed the community to give him a salary. The Rebbe
wrote: "If you ease his worldly burdens, he will be able to
help you in your ruchniyusdike life." In the remote chassidic
community of Melbourne, R' Zalman Serebransky set the
tone as its mashpia, and in Paris, R' Nissan Nemenov stood
When the Rebbe established Tze'irei Agudas Chabad in order to utilize the
energy of the young chassidim in spreading Yiddishkeit, he discreetly requested
some of the eltere chassidim to supervise their activities and offer advice.
The Rebbe writes to them in a letter: "If Chazal say that the 'demolition' of elders
is ultimately 'building,' how much more so the 'building' of elders. However, your
advice should be given in a gentle manner that won't make the young men feel
unimportant."
)( " '
23

at the helm of the community. And the large kehilla of Kfar
Chabad received an explicit directive from the Rebbe to
elect a team of mashpi'im, a vaad ruchni, to uphold the
desired standards, to inspire individuals, and to give
direction to the community at large.
Although the Rebbe often instructed people seeking his
advice to consult with elder chassidim and mashpi'im, in
the early years there werent many substantial Anash
communities other than those mentioned, and they
already had mashpi'im.
When introducing the initiative for

appointing personal mashpi'im, in addition to
the already-appointed community mashpi'im,
the Rebbe set criteria regarding whom one
should choose as a mentor.
Firstly, said the Rebbe, a mashpia must have
the three qualities that characterize Yidden
in general: he must be compassionate,
bashful and kind visibly so, and to a degree
appropriate to his position.
Secondly, Chazal teach that one should
learn Torah from a rav who resembles a
malach. This means that the rav should be
far removed from personal bias and envy, so
that he can advise a fellow Jew without any
personal interests involved.
24
)196 ,236 '(" " "
A turning point came with the farbrengen of Chof Kislev

5737 (1976). The Rebbe said that in the times of the
earlier Rebbeim, every kehilla had a mashpia who was
responsible for arousing and guiding the local chassidim
in their avodas HaShem. The Rebbe then spoke at length
about reinstituting this concept. He suggested that in
large kehillos there could be a number of mashpi'im, who
would divide their respective spheres of influence
among the various shuls or according to the
responsibilities involved. During the next few months
the Rebbe continued to encourage this new venture,
adding that mashpios/madrichos should also be appointed
in every community for the local women and girls.
After raising this topic at every opportunity throughout
that winter, the Rebbe expressed anguish that to date,
the efforts that had been made to elect mashpi'im were
not to his satisfaction. Understandably, the prevailing
sentiment was, "Why appoint a mashpia if we have the
Rebbe?" But then, on the 28th of Adar, the Rebbe
surprised everyone by announcing that he would hand
out a signed copy of Kuntres Ahavas Yisroel to all those
who had been nominated as mashpi'im.
Lubavitch communities worldwide heeded the call.
Scores of mashpi'im were elected, and they each received
a signed kuntres from the Rebbe. The main Lubavitch
community, Anash of Crown Heights, elected four highlyrespected elder chassidim to serve as their mashpi'im: R'
Abba Pliskin, R' Avrohom Drizin (Mayorer), R' Elya Chaim

Roitblat, and R' Yehoshua Korf, aleihem hasholom.
Another thirty people were appointed to provide
guidance and inspiration to shuls, groups of Anash, or
certain blocks in the neighborhood, and a flyer was
distributed with the names of the mashpi'im who had
been appointed.
issues personally. But the Rebbe persisted. In private

and in public, he explained that the time had come for
chassidim to learn to listen to the voice of authority
within adas hachassidim.
Still, the Rebbe still felt that not enough was being
done. On more than one occasion, he took the mashpi'im
themselves to task, for not being sufficiently dedicated
to their mission. As one example of many:25
During the summer of 5746 (1986), the Rebbe

initiated another campaign Aseh lecho rav,26 asking
that all chassidim should appoint, in addition to the
communal mashpia, a personal rov. This rov was to be
a personal mentor, to whom a chossid must report
periodically, and who should be consulted before
making major decisions. During the following months
the Rebbe elaborated on how one should choose a
mashpia, provided the Torah sources on the
importance of this project, and highlighted its
imperative necessity in our times.
"The mission of every mashpia and mashpiah is not to

wait until someone brings you a glass of tea or a cup of
juice and begs you to share a chassidisher vort, and only
then to say something to him and even then, not
bother to explain it, on the pretext that anyhow a
chassidisher vort never goes to waste.'
"Better yet, the mashpia assures himself that since the
Alter Rebbe promised that whoever is mekushar to him
will be safe, there's no need to even say a vort.... So the
mashpia goes off to learn by himself.
"This is not the kavona of our Rebbeim! The Rebbeim
expect every mashpia to personally approach chassidim
and inspire them.'
It was during this period that the Rebbe began to
buttress the authority of rabbonim throughout the
Lubavitch community worldwide, beginning with the
institution of Vaad Rabbonei Chabad of Eretz Yisroel in
5738 (1978), the organizing and support of the Crown
Heights Beis Din in 5746 (1986), and laying the
foundation for the Vaad Rabbonei Lubavitch of the
U.S.A. in 5750 (1990).
As part of this program, the Rebbe would often direct
people asking for advice to the rabbonim of their city.
Naturally enough, chassidim would often feel frustrated;
they would have preferred that the Rebbe address their
25. Sichos Kodesh 5740, Vol. 3, p. 303.
Personal Guides
On one occasion, the Rebbe said he had heard that the

horooh had not been fulfilled by everyone. He made it
clear that it was not a suggestion, but the obligation of
every Lubavitcher chossid. At one point the Rebbe
"threatened" that when he received a letter from a
chossid, he would ask him the name of his mashpia...!
Within days, naturally enough, there was not a chossid
to found without a specific aseh lecho rav. Elder
chassidim sometimes appointed themselves a rov many
years their junior. R' Mendel Futerfas, for example,
chose his former talmid, R' Velvel Kesselman; R' Mottel
Kozliner chose HaRav Ganzburg, who was forty years
younger than he; and the legendary R' Yoel Kahan
elected HaRav Heller to be his rav. The project reached
a crescendo when the Rebbe himself joined the
campaignm by choosing HaRav Piekarski to serve as his
personal rav.
26. See sicha of Shabbos Parshas Devorim, 5746.
25

After Gimmel Tammuz
However, despite everything the Rebbe had explained,
and despite all the efforts of chassidim in electing
communal rabbonim and mashpi'im, and despite every
individual chossid's appointment of a personal aseh lecho
rav, the Rebbe nevertheless continued to be consulted
in times of need. Evidently, most chassidim didnt feel
themselves worthy to give guidance, and most people
wished to write and correspond with the Rebbe, rather
than with a mashpia.
Hence the gaping vacuum after Gimmel Tammuz. How
are we to deal with the multitude of questions, mundane
matters, issues of viewpoint and opinion, spiritual
deliberations and communal concerns? During this time
of he'elem vehester, to whom are we to turn for answers?
But the truth is that the Rebbe had foreseen this
situation, and for some years had been directing his
chassidim how to continue by turning to mashpi'im
and rabbonim.
In a unprecedented half-hour sicha on Motzoei Shabbos,
2nd Adar 5748 (1988), ten days after the histalkus of the
Rebbitzin ah, the Rebbe explicitly directed, and clearly

spelled out, how chassidim should conduct themselves
after Gimmel Tammuz.
The Rebbe spoke of the authority of chassidishe
rabbonim, and instructed that regarding all questions
that arise, three rabbonim should be consulted.
(Details of the Rebbe's directives at that time are
presented in As A Father Cares For His Children, in this
publication.) Indeed, the week after Gimmel Tammuz,
the Kfar Chabad Magazine printed this very sicha,
transcribed from the recording.
There is an axiom in Torah that the more vital something
is, the more effort does the yetzer hora exert to resist it.
In this light it can be stated that the political climate
after Gimmel Tammuz was not fertile ground in which
the instructions in that sicha could properly flourish.
Accordingly, as chassidim dedicated to the Rebbe and
bound with love to his wishes, we must hold dearly on
to his words in that sicha, and implement them, during
the present challenging interval between Gimmel
Tammuz and the imminent Geulah.
The Frierdiker Rebbe related: During the time of the Tzemach

Tzedek, one could find eltere chassidim visiting Lubavitch year round.
The younger chassidim would service them ("shimush"), and this
enabled them to watch the eltere chassidim daven, eat, learn and
interact with others.
Very often this would
impactof
theayoung
chassidim even
more befell
than
In response to someone's
report
misfortune
that
a
their own study of Chassidus. As Chazal say, "Being of service to Torah
woman in Australia,
the Rebbe
wrote:
"Do
youproduces
thinkathat
sages is superior
even to Torah
study,"
for study
learnedwhat I
person, whereas shimush produces an oved HaShem and a chossid.
spoke about Aseh
lecha rav does not apply in your community?"
26
() ' " "
)( "
Dare to Emulate
Anyone who knows Kingston Avenue knows Reb Pinye
Korff. You can find him any day walking an elder
chossid, listening to a person in need, or simply walking
deep in thought, as one would imagine a chossid walks.
A legend in his lifetime, this exemplary masmid and
mekushar has served as the mashpia of the Oholei Torah
Yeshiva for the past forty years, and in that capacity has
taught most American Lubavitcher bochurim. He is
widely revered for his davenen and yiras Shamayim and
envied for the fact that he was once actually beaten for
teaching Chassidus.
Chassidim relate that when he was a bochur, he once
approached his mashpia, Reb Peretz Motchkin of
Montreal, to ask him for advice on a personal matter in
avodas HaShem. Reb Peretz later exclaimed to his
friends: "His questions remind me of the sincerity of the
bochurim in Lubavitch in the good old days." Indeed,
Reb Pinye's own live memories of pre-war chassidim
make him a rare baal mesora, a blast from the past.
To watch Reb Pinye daven is not something I can
transmit on paper. To hear him farbreng, youve also got
to be present to experience. However, one thing I
believe can be encapsulated in print his advice.
His acute intuition, his pure chassidisher chinuch, and his
earnest dedication to darchei haChassidus, all blend to
create a towering personality a genuine chossid
whose lifetime of intense avoda has produced a sharp
perception that is cloaked in an unassuming, even
simple, personality. Hundreds flock to him, not only for
his wellspring of chassidishe mayses, ideas and feelings,
but also for practical guidance on dealing with
contemporary realities. And despite his humble
demeanor, his opinions on these challenges ring loud
and clear.
To interview Reb Pinye sounded like a wild idea. Though

certain that he would refuse, I decided to give it a shot
anyways. What did I have to lose?
So one fine Tuesday morning I go to 770 in search of
the mashpia. There I see him, stooped over a Likkutei
Torah, teaching a group of focused baalei batim. As he
leaves to go home, he is stopped by former talmidim, by
recent baalei teshuva, and by old friends his first fans
from his yeshiva days.
Patiently, I await my turn. To my surprise, as soon as I
approach him with my request, he peers up, and says in
his thick Russian accent: Farvos nit? ("Why not?")
Here we have our first insight into Reb Pinye. He doesnt
shy away from media and doesnt flee from kovod. It is
simply insignificant to him. So, if its something
worthwhile, something someone can gain from, then
farvos nit?
And so there we were, at the back of 770, deep in
conversation, me asking and Reb Pinye answering. As I
spoke, his head was bent, his snow-white beard spread
over his chest, listening carefully. Each time, as soon as
I finished, he looked up and shared his measured words.
Here they are, as he said them.
Q: Why must the way of life, ideals and values of

Chassidus be transmitted davka through living
chassidim? Isn't studying Chassidus and getting
hadracha from a sefer enough? Why is there a need to
farbreng with and listen to eltere chassidim, and to
spend time in the company of chassidim?
A: It is true that one can receive guidance and inspiration
through learning the maamorim, sichos, igros etc.; in
27

fact, those are the primary source. In the Frierdiker
Rebbe's sichos and letters in particular, the reader will
find a treasury of chassidishe stories, anecdotes, and
history, that will inspire him, change his outlook and
imbue him with true chassidishe values.
However, even once inspired, translating those words
into practical application especially when that involves
changing one's entire lifestyle and value system is
often very difficult. A person may feel that he needs
proof that it is actually possible to live a chassidishe
lifestyle in the "real" world.
So as a first answer to your question: when one sees a
living individual who in his day-to-day life personifies all
that Chassidus stands for, this changes his perspective.
He begins to view Chassidus as something practical and
relevant.
Q. In other words, an elder chossid serves as a dugma
chaya, a living example, for younger chassidim. Why is
the Rebbe not enough of a living example?
A. There is a story told about Reb Abba Pliskin. The
Rebbe had once instructed this chossid "to instill in the
bochurim a warm relish for Chassidus" (arain-gebben a
lachluchis in di bochurim).
Some time later, at a yechidus, he asked the Rebbe how
he was to go about doing this. The Rebbe replied that he
should tell them stories about chassidim. The Rebbe
emphasized that he meant specifically those about
chassidim, for when hearing sipurei tzaddikim, people
can think that it is too far removed from them.
Stories of the Rebbeim are certainly of utmost
importance: they instill in us emunas tzaddikim, teach us
vital lessons and so on, but that's not to say that we can
compare ourselves to the Rebbe, or that we can attain
the Rebbe's level and emulate his accomplishments
(although we certainly can, and should, strive to attain
at the very least a minute resemblance). The Rebbe's
levels and accomplishments can hardly serve as a
28
practical and relevant example for the average person to

live up to in his day-to-day life.
With regard to chassidim, on the other hand, one feels
that there is some relevance, and that with effort and
persistence, he can succeed in attaining their level and
living up to their example.
Q. I'm under the impression that in years gone by there
was more of a stress placed on observing older
chassidim, listening to them and watching them daven.
What was your experience in this area?
A. After we ourselves finished our own davenen, there
was always plenty of time left to observe the elder
chassidim as they continued davenen in their own
unhurried and deliberate style. The deep impression
these men made upon us is immeasurable. In the letters
of the Frierdiker Rebbe we find a vivid description of
davening the way it was in the chassidishe shuls in the Old
Country, and the effect it had on the youth1:
"How good and how pleasant was the house of HaShem in the
chassidishe communities! Even during weekdays, and how
much more so on Shabbos and yom-tov, one could find a
number of people davening with such dveikus and intensity,
that upon entering the shul, one was taken aback or even
overawed by the G-dly scene that met his eyes
In various corners of the shul, both in the mizrach side and in
the maarav side, these lamps of HaShem, these mortal souls,
stood burning with the holy anointing oil, as the spirit within
them dominated the matter. Some wept from the depths of
their heart and the innermost recesses of their soul; others
stood in a state of delight, with a voice that aroused true
intention, a feeling of attachment and love of HaShem,
culminating in an all-encompassing outpouring of the very
soul; while yet others were engrossed in an other-worldly
contemplation of abstract concepts of G-dliness, yearning in
silence, in a bond of essence to Essence.
1.Igros Kodesh of the Rebbe Rayatz vol 1 p. 330

Each individual on his own level knew that the study of
Chassidus was his cherished portion in life, and that avodas
hatefilla was the gate to the higher realms to perceive
G-dliness and to behold the glory of HaShem. He was well
aware that his first priority in life was the refinement of his
natural and materialistic middos, and the predominance of
the soul and the spiritual over the body and the material.
Even the little children and the youth found a nest or a perch
behind the doorposts, from which they could warm their
hearts next to the fire of these chassidim, where they could
sit at the feet of these anshei maaseh. And at other times
they would wait around with an inner bittul, hungry and
thirsty to hear at least a word, a mere droplet, from the
mouths of the wise and elderly chassidim who had come to
the house of learning, whose lips were uttering truly great
words. This thirst served as a salvation for these
youngsters, enabling them to proceed along the true
derech."
Indeed, observing chassidim and watching their davening
has always been a great thing. But still, in my day, the
primary time for guiding and inspiring chassidim of all
ages was always a farbrengen. There, an elder chossid
would open up and share his own feelings and thoughts,
and would often talk about chassidim of earlier
generations. The focus in all of this, the main reason for
our desire to come to a farbrengen, was to receive
instruction and guidance.
Q. How did this eagerness to hear from older chassidim
express itself
A. True, some were the prying and inquisitive type
(krichers). They would try probing and asking questions,
hoping to hear stories and recollections, and indeed
from time to time they did succeed in "squeezing"
In the winter of 1950 ))", the Frierdiker Rebbe discussed the necessity for
chassidishe guidance. He said: "Nowadays, many chassidim are completely off
track. It is often the loud youngsters, lightheaded and spiritually insensitive,
who arrogantly jump to the head table, and thus they remain naked without
a knowledge of Chassidus, and even without middos tovos and a geshmak in
davening. For, as the age-old chassidic saying goes, 'Everyone needs chinuch, even
a Rebbe who is the son of a Rebbe and the grandson of a Rebbe.' "
)350 '(" '"
29

tidbits to nourish the soul. But I wasn't that type. My
friends and I would go and seek out farbrengens simply
because we wanted to hear from chassidim, to be around
chassidim. Whether it was this chossid or the other, was
irrelevant; we just wanted to be at a farbrengen, to hear
chassidim.
sheer power of his mesirus nefesh.
Q. But why did you have to go listen to many different

chassidim? Why wasn't one moreh derech (mentor)
enough?
Q. It sounds as if in your times there was a thirst to

listen to from elder chassidim. Today that doesn't seem
to be the case. Many of today's youth don't even aspire
to reach the levels of the elder chassidim they do know,
let alone chassidim of previous generations. The
prevalent feeling is that the elder chassidim are
products of a bygone era from a totally different
society, making them impractical to emulate.
A. For a mashpia, everyone had one chossid whom they

looked up to in particular, and from him they primarily
received guidance. But they would still be open to
absorbing good things from a variety of chassidim. After
all, from every chossid, each according to his distinctive
soul-root, one can learn something valuable whether it
is the depth of his meditation, the warmth of his spiritual
emotions, the spontaneity of his ahavas Yisroel, or the
A. I see this "generation gap" perspective as one of the

challenges of this generation. When I was young, we
didn't view the eltere chassidim that way; we most
certainly had derech eretz towards them and recognized
that they were on a much higher level than we were, but
we didn't see them as hailing from another planet. There
wasn't this "mechitza" separating the generations. The
way we saw it, they were once young people like us,
The Rebbe Rashab told his son, the Frierdiker Rebbe: One must spend time in the
close company of elder chassidim (raibn-zich arum eltere chassidim colloquially,
"hanging around elder chassidim"). When I was younger I would spend time with
Reb Shmuel Ber and Reb Chaim Ber during the few weeks that they spent in
Lubavitch. I then spent three-quarters of a year applying what they spoke about.
)( '
30

who lived in the same world and had the same struggles,
and through working on themselves and receiving
guidance from their mashpi'im, they eventually became
who they are. So if we worked on ourselves, we could
also become like them. It's not that we thought that we
actually resembled those elder chassidim, but why not
at least try to be like them?
Q. Where does the current attitude stem from?
A. In my opinion it comes from the secular culture
around us, where the youth feel they are more advanced
and knowledgeable than their parents and grandparents,
and than anyone or anything that is associated with the
previous generation. Not too long ago, the prevailing
opinion was that the older a person was, the wiser and
more knowledgeable he became, but today, the
prevailing attitude is quite the opposite. Unfortunately,
this view has crept into our circles as well.
Q. In fact, it seems that today people are more critical
and less forgiving of faults: "this mashpia has this fault,
that mashpia has another fault." Why didn't this
problem exist back then?
A. This response might surprise you, but people were
critical then as well. There were always critics
"chachomim" who thought they knew better; big
chachomim, little chachomim
Those, however, who were not as hot-headed; they still
had some bittul, and didn't see it as their "holy duty" to
find faults in all of the mashpi'im and rabbonim.
Q. But what is so wrong with being reasonable? Isn't it
true that mashpi'im have faults?
A. First of all, it is not our task to judge others. We
often don't know the full story about any set of
circumstances or about another's motivations. And if
this is true regarding any fellow Jew, then surely an
older person, and in particular a true chassid, is entitled
to receive the same tolerant and unjudgmental attitude.
And even if one is convinced that he is indeed qualified

to stand in judgment, why must he busy himself with
such foolish endeavors? What benefit will be derived?
There is a story about a famous chossid called Reb Abba
Persson. Reb Abba was a wealthy businessman, and
notwithstanding his stature, his conduct in certain
matters was such that, at least from a chassidic
perspective, it may have been considered questionable.
Another prominent chossid of that time, Reb Chonye
Morozov, is remembered as a personal secretary to the
Frierdiker Rebbe and one of his closest confidants. In
his youth, however, he had a wild side to him: he could
be even seen jumping on to a trolley while it was in
motion. Anyway, one day this young bochur was sent to
stay with Reb Abba for a while in order to learn and
receive guidance from him.
Reb Abba once chastised him regarding a certain matter,
and without skipping a beat Reb Chonye responded,
"But you too have many faults!"
"True," Reb Abba replied, "but if you focus on other
people's faults, you will never become a mensch."
One must focus on his own shortcomings, not on
someone else's. One ought to learn and grow from the
positive qualities of those who can be emulated, instead
of trying to justify one's lack of avoda by proving that no
one is perfect.
Q. Were you ever critical of certain eltere chassidim?
Did you admire some more than others?
A. Most definitely. It's not that we were in denial! And it
is obvious that even the greatest chassidim aren't
perfect. So there were certainly differences: some
chassidim we admired more, and others, not as much.
But we were always eager to listen to every chossid. As
I mentioned earlier, from every chossid there is what to
hear and what to learn.
The problem with some critics nowadays is that they
31

aren't willing to look up to anybody! This mashpia has
too much gayva, and that one is too bittuldik; this one is
not inspirational enough, and the other, albeit very
inspirational, is not as knowledgeable as I am.
It is certainly in order that one should admire one
chossid more than another, and to appoint as his
personal mashpia the chossid whom he regards most
highly. The problem begins when one doesn't admire
anyone, and no one is considered worthy of being
listened to.
I remember when I was very young, I already had a
leaning as to whom I would like to learn from and
emulate. In my eyes, my opinion already carried
considerable weight.
When I was around the age of bar mitzva, we were living
in the Displaced Persons camp in Poking, Germany. Reb
Yisrael Neveler was my top role model, and until today I
hold his memory in the highest regard. He was a fiery
chossid, full of joy and warmth. His yiras Shamayim was
remarkable. He exuded an inner strength, and was
unusually passionate and expressive.
In addition to Reb Yisrael, I decided at that time that I
saw a certain emeskeit in two particular Chassidim, who,
in comparison to others, werent considered to be
outstanding. I couldn't help but admire their sincerity,
their emes, their yiras Shamayim and straightforwardness.
For them it was a fact of life that what Chassidus demands
must be carried out without excuses or shortcuts. There
were other chassidim who were more widely respected,
but I appreciated these two more.
Later, when I moved to France, there were also many
chassidishe Yidden, including Reb Nissan Nemenov, who
was the official mashpia, and of course I participated in
his farbrengens and so on. But there, too, certain
chassidim stood out whom I really looked up to and
admired. And when I came to New York, this sequence
repeated itself; I took well to some and had less
32
admiration for others.

For broad guidance as to the most appropriate path to
follow in one's avoda, one needs a particular mashpia.
But to supplement that with all the other good things
that can be heard at a farbrengen, there is always
something to hear from everyone maybe it's not always
100% to the point, but there is always something to
receive. So as a rule, I went to all the farbrengens of
every mashpia.
To summarize:
Everyone has faults and shortcomings. Period.
It is not unreasonable to have tremendous respect for
someone and consider him worthy to be listened to and
learned from, even if he isn't perfect.
It is okay and natural to admire certain eltere chassidim
more than others. Those whom you look up to and feel
you have the most to gain from, are the main ones you
should be observing and listening to.
Even after you have your mashpia and elterer chossid, you
should listen to other chassidishe Yidden as well, since
every chossid has something unique to offer.
Q. How does this all relate to the members of the Anash
community?
A. Firstly, to ensure that there are mashpi'im who match
the above-mentioned description. There must be
general mashpi'im, mashpi'im for every shul, for every
block, and so on etc. This must be implemented
regardless of the time, effort and money it might call for.
Once this is in place, people need to show an interest.
This can be expressed in a number of ways: attending
the farbrengens and shiurim and being attentive, pleading
with the mashpi'im to give more shiurim and farbreng
more often, and so on.
All of this will nurture healthy relationships between the
mashpi'im and the yungeleit, ultimately bringing about
inestimable good for the entire community.

Q. And how can the mashpi'im, for their part, help to
improve the situation, and in particular to inspire the
younger generation to become more involved in
Chassidus, Torah and yiras Shamayim, at a time when
there are so many distractions and challenges?
A. It goes without saying that the mashpi'im need to be
devoted, to feel a sense of responsibility. They need to
invest effort and time in the yungeleit and in the younger
generation to farbreng with them, to arrange shiurim,
to listen to them, to encourage them, to show them
that they truly care and that they are there to help them
out. They need to be involved.

When this is in place, the younger generation too will
respond with eagerness and enthusiasm. If they feel
that someone is truly devoted and sincerely cares about
them, they will receive what is being said with open
arms. Only when they sense that their concerns and
issues really matter to someone, will it be possible for
mashpi'im to speak of expectations or even offer
criticism; only then, instead of confronting indifference
or negativity, will the mashpi'im reap the desired results.
The Tzemach Tzedek once said, "The level of chassidishkeit has gone down."
He went on to explain that in the days of the Mitteler Rebbe, first the melamdim and
rabbonim were admitted for yechidus, and only then would the baalei-batim take their
turn. Now, he said, the baalei-batim enter first. (After all, they have important matters to
discuss; besides, they are the ones who support the rabbonim.) Only afterwards are the
rabbonim and melamdim admitted.
When the elder mashpia, Reb Groinem, related this story, the temimim in Lubavitch asked
him why the Tzemach Tzedek did not reverse the order to the way it had been in the past. Reb
Groinem, in true chassidic tradition, explained with a story:
"There was once a villager, a simple yishuvnik, who would occasionally visit the rov of the
nearby town and ask him all his shaylos. One day he arrived at the home of the rov and found
him at a meeting discussing a serious matter with his colleagues. When the meeting ended,
the villager presented his shaylos, and then asked the rov if he could know what was the
matter of such great concern.
"The rov explained that since it hadnt rained for a while, they were deliberating whether they
should declare a day of fasting and davening for the much-needed rain, to save them from
possible famine. The villager, astonished, offered his counsel.
" 'I have a far simpler solution,' he said. 'Whenever my cat runs into the house and crouches
near the oven, rain begins to fall shortly after. All we must do is grab the cat, place it near the
oven, and the rain will surely follow!' "
The mashpia concluded: "In the days of the Mitteler Rebbe, the baalei-batim admired and
respected the melamdim and rabbonim and gave them precedence. But now that the situation
has declined and they no longer respect them, rearranging them in the correct order is no
more helpful than putting the cat near the oven to bring the rain."
)( " '
33
In The Rebbe's Words

Sicha 12 Tammuz 5718 (1958) Free Translation
Knowing Ones Place
The Times before Moshiach
There is a halacha in Shulchan Aruch that says, "All those

judging a din Torah must be talmidei chachomim and
upright people; one should not judge a din Torah unless
one knows this to be so." The commentaries (Smeh and
Nesivos) add, "One should never judge a din Torah
together with baalei batim, for it is known that the
understanding of baalei batim and the understanding of
Torah are completely contradictory."
The protocol used to be that the baalei batim would

present their shailah to the Rov and ask for a psak din.
Later, as the generations progressed closer to the times
of Moshiach and people became more impudent, the
baal-habus had an opinion of his own ("sam sapozhnik"),
and together with his shailah, he would tell the Rov of
the various opinions and sources on the subject.
Since this was said in addition to what is mentioned in

the Shulchan Aruch, it is understood that though they
are fine upright talmidei chachomim [and he, the baalhabus, surely has smicha]; yet, since he spends much of
his time in the outside world, it is impossible that the
worldly perceptions ("hanachos ha'olam") do not affect
him
The baalei batim must therefore know their place and the
place of the Rov:
The Rov must be totally immersed in davening and
learning, serve as a guide for the baalei batim, and not be
drawn after desires and interests. The baalei batim must
support the Rov and raise his position in authority and
riches, like the kohanim, who were obligated to raise the
position of their leader the kohen gadol. For just as
every Yid is called a "kohen," the Rov is considered to be
the "kohen gadol".
The baal-habus must bear in mind, that though the Rov
depends on him for support, nevertheless he remains an
"ordinary kohen" and may not enter the area designated
for the "kohen gadol". He is indeed a holy kohen, yet the
kodesh hakodoshim is only for the kohen gadol.
34
Later yet, as they came even closer Moshiach and felt

the need to increase the 'signs of the time before
Moshiach', they would ask the shailah and then add: "If
you will pasken according to my liking, you will be my
Rov; but if not, I will find someone else!"
Where does such a mindset come from? It was an
outcome of the earlier mindset. When the baal-habus is
allowed to enter the 'kodesh hakodoshim' and give his
opinion on various issues, this eventually leads to a
situation that the baal-habus leads the way and the
Rabbonim become their servants.
Therefore, in order to ascertain the Torah's opinion on
the matter, it is important to explain to the baalei batim
that although they are kohanim, they are not the kohen
gadol, and may therefore not mix into rabbinic decisions.
Furthermore, in a situation where the Rov is lacking the
inner strength to firmly state the true Torah ruling, it is
the obligation of the baalei batim to strengthen him.
They must put the Rov in his position and tell him: "Rule
over us!"
Learning from the Reform

In fact, regarding this matter, something can be learned
from those who call themselves 'Reform', who have

recently begun to place their Rabbi at their head, and
do not permit anyone who opposes him to have a place
in the shul and community.
When the baalei batim will strengthen the Rov and he
will lead them on the right path, then the baalei batim
will merit brachos in their physical matters.
In this world, the accepted practice is that majority
rules, and it should therefore follow that if the baalei
batim oppose the Rov, the right should be with them.
However, we have "one Torah", the Shulchan Aruch,

which can only be applied by those who are immersed
in davening and learning and have no involvement in
worldly matters, even in the most kosher way.
In other words, the baalei batim should be active
primarily in the area of gemilus chassadim, and the Rov in
the area of Torah and Avoda. Then, when each of them
will fill his position, the community will be raised to be
a holy community and a holy nation.
One day, during his early years in Homil, Reb Aizel Homiler farbrenged with
the local baalei batim and told them: "The true 'mizrach' is at the back of the
shul, where the melamdim sit. You should listen and learn from the words of
the melamdim just as you listen and learn from the Rebbe's words."
From that day on, the baalei batim began to appreciate the chassidishe
melamdim, and the town of Homil became bright.
When the Frierdiker Rebbe related the above, he added: "In the past, people
would study not only the words of a Rebbe but the words of a chossid. The
young people would listen to the old folk, the baalei batim would listen to
the melamdim and things were brighter."
)96 '(" "
35
Clear Directives
Time and again the Rebbe would advise and demand of
the chassidim to seek counsel by Rabbonim.
In an instance of dispute between chassidim the Rebbe
wrote: "As is customary amongst Yidden to follow the
advice of the local Rov."
In one hand written response the Rebbe writes: It is

most surprising that they are asking such a question [to
the Rebbe] from overseas! It is well known for many
years the instruction of the Shulchan Aruch to consult
the local Rabbonim. The Rebbe then instructed the
secretariat to return any information enclosed.
In another hand written note the Rebbe sums up the

appropriate practice: "Balei batim follow the instructions
of Rabbonim, and not the other way around."
On the importance of having a ruchniyusdike advisor:

"Can it be that you do not know that one must have a
mashpia ruchni."
And finally this direct message: "Have you heard about

the order of asei lecha Rav? Will you fulfill it?"
In response to a bochur who asked the Rebbe for advice,
the Rebbe replied: "Our Rebbeim have established the
position of mashpi'im in Tomchei Temimim so that one
should speak to him and ask him advice etc. in all the
above mentioned matters."
36
Seeking Guidance
Throughout the generations of chasidei Chabad, chassidim
always understood that it was not enough to hear
Chassidus from the Rebbe and go into yechidus, it was
crucial to have an elder chossid to direct them in their
avodas HaShem. After hearing a directive from the Rebbe,
in public or private, the chassidim would review the
Rebbe's words with 'their' elder chossid, who would guide
them on how to apply it correctly. While everyone had
heard the Rebbe speak, the chassidim understood that
it was specifically the elder mashpi'im who understood
the full depth of the Rebbe's words and its appropriate
application.
Today, when we must draw guidance from the Rebbe's
words in the past, it is even more crucial for us to turn
to the elder chassidim today, to be guided on the correct
understanding and application of the Rebbe's words.
Receiving Hadracha
Chazal say that one who is knowledgeable in Torah but
did not receive guidance from talmidei chachomim is
reckoned an ignoramus. Since he has not been taught
the principles according to which one should approach
Torah scholarship, he is likely to apply incorrectly that
which he has learnt.
() "
In a letter to a certain elterer chossid, the Frierdiker Rebbe
pleads with him to farbreng with the younger chassidim:
"Guidance in Chassidus can only be transmitted from
one chossid to another, just as one candle is lit from
another. It has been the practice of Anash throughout
the generations to devote time to hearing a rich vort
from eltere chassidim.
"My father, the Rebbe Rashab, praised this practice
and once told me, 'This practice has produced true

chassidim! In whom will you find the meaty essence
of Chassidus? Only in those who, like humble disciples,
cleaved closely to eltere chassidim (sheshimshu es ziknei
hachassidim). Their perceptions are distinctively superior.
Many think that Chassidus is haskala, scholarship; that
is a mistake! Chassidus means recognizing how Elokus
permeates everything. And this recognition has always
been brought about through eltere chassidim.' "
()" " " '
The Frierdiker Rebbe related: Chassidim would often ask
eltere chassidim to explain to them the meaning of the
words they had heard from the Rebbe at yechidus.
Reb Hillel Paritcher writes: Whoever wants to walk in
the paths of Chassidus must be connected to the tzaddik
of the generation, such as the Rebbe. In addition, one
needs to have an elder chossid who will teach him and
explain the Rebbe's teachings and Chassidus. This will
enable the chossid to see and hear Elokus.
( ' ,321 ')" "
Guided Thinking
The Tzemach Tzedek would often direct yungeleit to the
eminent chossid, Reb Hillel Paritcher, to be guided in
the ways of Chassidus. Reb Hillel in turn would entrust
each newly-arrived yungerman to the hands of two elder
yungeleit, who in addition to explaining the basics of
Chassidus, would most importantly tell him sippurim
about the Rebbeim and about chassidim of earlier
generations. They would retell each story numerous
times, until it penetrated the yungerman and he knew its
details well. They would then ask him what lessons in
refining one's middos, in yiras Shomayim and hashgacha
protis could be learned from the story. They would
urge the yungerman to toil, as one does in serious study,
37

to find the lessons, and they would help him in his search.
Finally, they would tell him what lessons they had been
told by their own madrich, Reb Hillel.
On the first three Shabbosim of a newly-arrived yungerman,
Reb Hillel would relate a sippur in addition to the teachings
of Chassidus that he delivered every Shabbos. After the
sippur they would all sing niggunim, and then discuss the
lessons to be derived in avoda of the heart and the mind.
Reb Hillel explained the reason for this procedure: "The
beginning of avoda is 'Adam ki yakriv mikem' a person
has to offer of himself to HaShem. Those words appear at
the beginning of Sefer Vayikra. However, in order that one
should know that he is an adam, and how an adam should
conduct himself, the seforim of Bereishis and Shmos, which
are mostly sippurim, come first."
)( " " ' "
One Yom-Tov, at a seuda with his chassidim, the Frierdiker
Rebbe related the following.
When a chossid is actively involved in his shlichus he
is mekushar to the Rebbe. His entire being is bound to
the Rebbe. He walks like a chossid, eats like a chossid,
and sleeps like a chossid. However, this is only true of
chassidim who have a mentor and accept guidance. If,
however, one is his own teacher and guide, the above
does not apply.
The Rashbatz would tell the story of a Russian non-Jew
who found a pair of tefillin. Grabbing them by the straps,
he headed for the market to sell his new metzia. A yid
walking by was shocked to see a non-Jew holding tefillin
by the retzuos and dragging the batim on the ground.
Not Relying on Oneself

During the reign of Yoshiyahu, King of Yehuda, Necho
the King of Mitzrayim prepared to pass through Eretz
Yisroel on his way northward to wage war against Ashur
(Assyria). King Yoshiyahu was aware that HaShem had
clearly promised that even a "sword of peace" would not
pass through his land, and therefore warned the King of
Mitzrayim to keep his troops at a distance. That warning
was ignored. Yoshiyahu thereupon confronted them in
battle, where he was showered with arrows and died.
Chazal explain that despite the fact that it seemed so
clear in the Torah as he understood it, he should have
sought the advice of the Navi Yirmiyahu. He would have
been taught that his generation was not worthy of this
special promise.
( ",-) ' "
On one occasion, when King Yannai was celebrating a great
victory, an evil man called Elazar ben Po'ira persuaded the
king to believe that the hearts of the chachomim were
against him. To prove his point, he advised the king to put
on the tzitz of the kohen gadol and watch their response.
When Yannai did as he was advised, one elder spoke up:
"Your majesty! It is great enough to be king; leave the
kehunah for the children of Aharon."
The king, infuriated, expelled all the chachomim from
the feast. And Elazar ben Po'ira, seizing the opportunity,
incited him to kill them all.
Yannai was hesitant amd inquired: "What then will become
of the Torah?"
He asked him in astonishment, Where did you get those?
Elazar was quick to reply, "The Torah is written and

available to whoever wants to learn it."
The non-Jew responded arrogantly, Ya sam sapozhnik! ("I

myself am a cobbler!), as if to show off his craftsmanship
by claiming to have made them himself.
Yannai, duly convinced, killed all of the chachomim, leaving

the world void of Torah learning until Shimon ben Shetach
eventually restored the Torah to its original glory.
The Frierdiker Rebbe concluded, The lesson is self

understood...
(462 ')" ''
Chazal charge Yannai with apikorsus (heresy), for though

the Torah shebiksav is written, one must have teachers to
guide him to a proper understanding of it, through the
38

oral tradition of the Torah shebe'al peh.
This, according to some, began the development of
the karo'im, a group of Yidden who did not follow the
chachomim and used their own understanding to explain
the Torah.
( " ' ",) "
Everyone who says Ashrei knows those words: v'es kol
haresha'im yashmid "and He will destroy all evildoers."
Well, there once lived a man who, realizing that he was
not particularly righteous, was afraid of cursing himself.
He therefore decided to omit the word haresha'im
("evildoers"), so that the verse now read, "and He will
destroy all." And in due course, his children all baptized.
(The root of yashmid also denotes apostasy.)
The medieval author of Sefer Chassidim explains that
although this man's intentions were good, he was
punished for not having consulted the chachomim of his
town. They would have explained to him that though
Dovid HaMelech himself had a wicked son, Avshalom, he
nevertheless did say this posuk, since HaShem will do as
He chooses.
()' ' '
Following the Elders
advise one to build, one should listen to the elders, for

the "demolition" of the elders is ultimately "building,"
whereas the "building" of the youth will ultimately bring
about destruction.
In this context they point to the following story:
After the passing of Shlomo HaMelech, his son Rechavom
ascended the kingly throne. A delegation of Yidden soon
approached him, asking that he treat them gently and
not overburden them with taxes. Rechavom told them,
"Return in three days and I will answer you."
He then turned to seek the advice of the elders who had
stood before his father. They told him, "If you treat the
people gently, they will serve you faithfully throughout
all of their days."
Dissatisfied with this approach, the king then consulted
some young friends and they told him, "Be firm with the
people. Tell them that you will be even more demanding
than your father."
At the end of three days the people returned, and the
king answered them as his young friends had advised.
Infuriated, the people rebelled against him and chose
Yerovam as their king.
( ",, ,) '
Chazal say: One should always heed the counsel of elders.

Even if the elders advise one to demolish and the youth
Rava said: "How foolish are those people that stand up for a sefer Torah but not
for a talmid chacham" because of the degree to which the Torah empowers
them to interpret its words.
)( " "
39

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"

Guidance & Leadership

How the Rebbe prepared us for the post-Gimmel Tammuz era

15. The Crown of the Community

27. Dare to Emulate

34. In The Rebbe's Words

37. Seeking Guidance

Guidance & Leadership

Guidance & Leadership

Rabbi Shimon Helinger - Director

Guidance & Leadership

As a Father Cares for his Children

sponsored by reb daniel jacobson and family

What would the Rebbe say to us now?

On that evening the Rebbe served as sheliach tzibbur for

And then on a practical level: How does the Rebbe want

Suddenly, the Rebbe turned to the chassidim, ready to

The simple answers to these crucial concerns lie in an

Everyone present understood that something out of the

At that time, like a father caring for his children, the

A very good Motzoei Shabbos to all. May all the

The histalkus of the Rebbitzin on 22 Shvat, 5748, struck

Rebbe choked with emotion as he served as sheliach

After introductory teachings on various subjects,

Guidance & Leadership

nor had it ever appeared in the chassidic oral tradition.

Indeed, the very discussion of this subject may be

Guidance & Leadership

The Torah commands us to follow the

Therefore, in every city and town there should

Toward the end of the thirty-eight minute sicha, the

Guidance & Leadership

Immediately after the sicha, the Rebbe distributed

As the Rebbe left to go upstairs, he turned to one of the

chossid arrived. The Rebbe turned around, and went

The sicha was delivered, but understandably not

Guidance & Leadership

guidance from chassidishe rabbonim is understood by all.

(The boldface extracts from the sicha of 2 Adar 5748

The Frierdiker Rebbe gave his confirmation.

Guidance & Leadership

The Crown of the Community

communal leadership when the Yidden ultimately

Undeniably, the plan called for a compromise on quality.

Likewise, when our people were scattered in exile, the

Moreover, aside from the inevitable compromise on the

A secular academic once criticized the religious

Yisro's plan of delegation continued to be the model for

Yisro's vision thus did not merely service our people in

3. See Sforno, Shmos 18:25.

Guidance & Leadership

Sefer HaSichos 5703, p. 77.

Guidance & Leadership

The Mitteler Rebbe

the Alter Rebbe that he appointed his son, who was to

11. Yoman Admur HaRayatz, Vol. 8, p. 41.

Guidance & Leadership

From this point on, he dedicated his life to guide and

12. Sefer HaSichos 5703, p. 80.