The Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, he devoted his entire life to the material and spiritual well-being of the Jewish people. Living at a time when the Communist Soviet regime set the destruction of Judaism as one of its prime goals, the Rebbe spared no effort in opposing their edicts, to the point of endangering his own life numerous times. When the Rebbe finally escaped from Europe in 1940, he was physically broken by the terrible tortures he was subjected to by the Communists. But, although he was confined to a wheelchair and in a weak physical condition, the Rebbe's spiritual strength was completely intact. Noting that "America is not different," [from Europe] the Rebbe set about actualizing his goal of bringing a strong, vibrant Judaism to these shores.
How is a personality such as the Previous Rebbe developed and nurtured? The answer is a complex one, for a Rebbe is inherently possessed of a special type of soul, one which is tied to the souls of all the Jewish people.
The Previous Rebbe, having been an assiduous observer of his surroundings and having written his observations in many volumes of his memoirs and commentaries, has provided us a fascinating record of his childhood.
An only child, the Previous Rebbe had a very deep relationship with his father, Rabbi Shalom Dov Ber, the "Rebbe Rashab," who took tremendous pains in educating and grooming his son for the formidable task which lay ahead.
In his diary, the Previous Rebbe described a particularly poignant and telling incident in his youth, which gives us a precious insight into the awesome preparation of a Rebbe.
When the Previous Rebbe was fifteen years old, his father asked him to be his personal secretary. He was given tasks to perform, including frequent meetings with great rabbis from other parts of Russia and dealing with the Russian government.
In his diary, the Previous Rebbe wrote:
On Thursday, 12 Tammuz, it was my fifteen birthday. My father took me to the Ohel, [the holy resting place] where my ancestors, the Rebbe Maharash and the Tzemach Tzedek, are buried.
When we arrived at the small shul next to the Ohel, we went in, and my father opened the holy ark and said, "Today I am bringing my son to fulfill Your service. When an offering is given up to Hashem, two sides are involved -- the one who is giving it and the tribute itself. Just as Abraham our Father bound his son, Isaac, so that he would not have any imperfections, I also want to offer my son to You in the most fitting manner."
Suddenly, my father burst into tears. Even though I didn't really understand what was going on, I began to cry, too. Then we sat together next to the open ark and learned half a chapter of Tanya [the basic book of Chabad Chasidic philosophy by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of Chabad Chasidut].
"I want to make an agreement in front of my ancestors," my father said. He told me to stand in front of him. Then he laid his hands upon my head. "Today I am giving over to you the task of devoting yourself to the Jewish people, physically and spiritually," he said. My father then explained to me, at great length, the idea of dedicating oneself completely to this service.
My father went into the Ohel while I waited inside the shul and recited Psalms. I could hear my father also saying Psalms and sobbing. It made me very nervous, and I started to cry. My father opened the door of the Ohel and told me to come inside. "Come in, and my father, the Rebbe Maharash and my grandfather, the Tzemach Tzedek, will bless you." I was afraid. At first, I could only stand there, unable to move. Then I recovered a little and entered the Ohel. My father had lit seventy-two oil wicks. He led me close to my ancestors' graves and put his hand upon my head. I could hear him crying with heartfelt sobs, and I was deeply moved to see the tears running down his face.
At this point in time, the Rebbe Rashab began to pass on to his son, Yosef Yitzchak, as many of the duties he could during his lifetime. It was around this incident that there was an important meeting of leading rabbis scheduled to take place.
The Rebbe Rashab was invited, but was unable to attend. In his stead, he sent the fifteen-year old Yosef Yitzchak, but because of his youth, he sent Rav Shmuel Bezalel with him.
The Rebbe Rashab, however, instructed the older man, "Know that even though I am sending you to accompany my son, you should not interfere or even help him. He must take care of things himself."
Reprinted from The Rebbes, Chish Printing
