The Tzemach Tzedek used to send food for the Seder [matzah and moror etc] to the guests who came to Lubavitch for Pesach. He would send it in plenty of time before the holiday so the guests wouldn’t have to worry about having it for the Seder. Once Reb Yeekusiel Lipler came for Pesach and the Rebbe sent him the package through his secretary.
As soon as the package was delivered, Reb Yehusiel ate it all. Erev Peach, he came to the Tzemach Tzedek and confessed that he had no matzah and moror for the Seder.
The Tzemach Tzedek asked,”Didn’t you receive the package I sent you?”
Reb Yekusiel answered, ”I ate it as soon it arrived, as it is known , ‘upon receiving something from the Rebbe, it should be consumed immediately so that the nourishment from the Rebbe will help improve one’s understanding of Chassidus and one’s service in prayer.”’
Finally, the Rebbe invited Reb Yekusiel to join his own Seder. At first glance, our Rebbe says, this story needs clarification. Certainly Reb Yekusiel knew that the Tzemach Tzedek had sent him the package for the Seder, so why would he have eaten it immediately!? This incident shows the essential bond Reb Yekusiel had with his Rebbe. Reb Yekusiel didn’t feel his own existence in this relationship so he wasn’t worried about what he would have at the Seder. To Reb Yekusiel’s way of thinking, the package came from his Rebbe “now,” so he must need it “now” to serve Hashem. This story teaches us a lesson about our bond to the Rebbe, as the Mikilta says on the posuk, ‘They had emunah in Hashem and Moshe his servant’ the perfection of faith in Hashem is faith in Moshe his servant.
[sichos pasha pekudi 5734]
