My saintly father-in-law, the [Previous] Rebbe recounted about his arrest, that he davened at length, and he fasted every day (he ate in the evening).
The protocol in a prison is, especially in that country, that they need a photograph of the prisoner. And there are specific times when they come to photograph the prisoner.
As the specific time was not known, or they came in a different time, the Rebbe was then in middle of davening; as he was engrossed in meditating on the topic which he was then davening.
Those who came to photograph him, were totally not accustomed to see there a Jew wearing a talis and praying and they certainly were not affected by this.
But nevertheless it did impress them, and they tried to shake him to get his attention. So that they can take the photo.
It seems that the the Rebbe was then holding at a place where its forbidden to interrupt, and didn’t know at all why they came to him. When he turned and saw gentiles standing with a camera to photograph him, he motioned with his hand dismissingly – and they got scared and ran away.
This happened in his jail-cell in Spalerna, accompanied with the guard of the prison.
They later came again to photograph him.
Those who were with him in the prison-cell were beyond themselves; because, at that point there was grave concern regarding the harsh punishment that they plan for him, thus they were greatly impressed. When the Rebbe finished davening the prison officials explained to him the purpose of their coming. And when they came the second time the Rebbe sat down on a chair in his cell with his yarmulke, and he spread out his talis-koton with all the tzitzis, that not only should the two in front be seen, but also the other two.
When they protested, that in a photograph in Spalerno prison its not necessary for the tzitzis to be visible – he answered them that if they want to photograph him – they need to photograph as he looks!
They took the photo with the tzitzis.
We see from here that while incarcerated in prison, under such a brutal powerful regime – he stood with perseverance even for the tzitzis and talis koton.
Their fear was brought on merely by a dismissive motion of the hand. They went away without any argument.
As with all matters which were conveyed to us, there is a lesson and inspiration to be learned by each one of us: we should not be fazed by anyone “at whom the hour is smiling” [forces of evil who are enjoying good fortune] – about which the gemara (Berachos 7b) says that if one is not a tzadik-gomur [perfect tzadik] he must be wary.
Because, when is that a concern, when one is relying on his own merits.
However, when one is doing a shlichus from the Nassi b’Yisroel, the baal hasimcha, who is a perfect tzadik, and he is fulfilling the shlichus sincerely, without making any changes or agendas,
Then he is like the perfect tzadik, and need not be concerned about the evil forces who are “enjoying good fortune”; it is sufficient merely a dismissive wave of the hand, without any extra effort, and they will “fear you”.
The gemara (Shabbos 32b) says “he who is observant in tzitzis, will be privileged to be served by 2800 slaves” [for each corner 700 slaves], and he will rule over them.
While this will be fulfilled in the times of Moshiach, however, the reward comes for our actions in the time of golus, through our avoda, that when we fulfill the mitzvah of tzitzis, which comprises the number 613, as Rashi cites from the medrash Tanchuma, that the numerical value of the (Hebrew) word tzitzis is 600, combined with the 5 knots and 8 threads –
So the Torah and mitzvos causes that the entire world becomes servants to him who observes this mitzva.
And then he brings about that “you should remember” – as the conclusion of the verses of tzitzis “I am G-d your G-d who took you out of Egypt”, and from all constraints and limitations.
And from that redemption we will go to “I will show you wonders” in the true and complete redemption through Moshiach tzidkeinu, speedily in our time.
(Sichas Yud-Beis Tammuz, 5721)
