Taxi Rides

Whenever the Rebbe rode in a taxi, he always sat next to the driver, despite the fact that doing so might be unfitting for a Rebbe. Most of the drivers were Jews, and his purpose in sitting next to them was to engage them in conversation with the hope of having some influence on their religious observance. There were many cab drivers upon whom he prevailed to start putting on tefillin, and he himself purchased pairs of tefillin for drivers who promised that they would put them on daily, even if just for a few moments.

Yisroel Safrin author. As featured in the Monsey Mevaser 'Klal Personalities' series.