Reb Meir Weiss of Kiryat Vizhnitz related:
Each week, Reb Shmuel would travel with the Imrei Chaim of Vizhnitz to a place that had some fresh air, so he could rest. This was especially essential after the Rebbe suffered a stroke. Reb Shmuel was always happy and calm next to the Rebbe. I once had the privilege of accompanying them.
The Rebbe was resting and had dozed off for quite some time. Suddenly, I saw that Reb Shmuel was not as calm as he usually is; he kept glancing at his watch and then at the Rebbe’s face to see if he was waking up.
I asked him, “Reb Shmuel, what is the matter? Why do you seem nervous today?” Reb Shmuel told me that it was already 1:30 in the afternoon, and in two hours, he had to catch a flight to Hong Kong for a business trip.
“Then why did you come with the Rebbe?” I asked, taken aback.
“Would I have been able to forego this?” Reb Shmuel replied. “I hope that the Rebbe will wake up soon and I’ll be able to get a brachah.”
I told him that if it was late, he could leave, and I would take a taxi to return home with the Rebbe.
“But I won’t travel without a brachah from the Rebbe!” Reb Shmuel exclaimed.
It should be noted that missing a flight to Hong Kong in those days meant waiting a week for the next flight, as well as losing the cost of the ticket and missing business appointments. But without a brachah from the Rebbe, Reb Shmuel wasn’t going.
A few moments later, the Rebbe woke up and we returned to Kiryat Vizhnitz. When Reb Shmuel took leave of the Rebbe, he blessed him warmly and said, “Go in peace, and come in peace, and you should have siyata diShmaya and hatzlachah!” And with that brachah in hand, Reb Shmuel departed on his business trip.
