By Rabbi Sholom Avtzon
As is well known, the [Lubavitcher] Rebbe Rashab (Rabbi Sholom Dovber Schneersohn, 1860-1920) was a forceful opponent of the Zionist movement. As such, the chassidim were concerned that if he would continue in this vein, the Zionists would retaliate and try to harm him. Their apprehension grew when he wrote an extremely sharp public letter against the movement.
The chassidim knew it was out of the question for them to suggest to the Rebbe himself that he reduce his struggle against the Zionists. Instead, they decided to speak to his mother, Rebbetzin Rivkah, and persuade her to suggest that the Rebbe use a more cautious approach. The Rebbe had tremendous respect for his mother, and if she would just mention a word of caution, they were certain everything would be taken care of.
Upon hearing their request, Rebbetzin Rivkah replied in astonishment: “You want me to tell him what to do?! I would never ask him to change his mind or opinion. Evidently, you don’t realize what a gleicheh [straight] mind he has.”
She then related the following story:
When the Rebbe Rashab was a young boy, he and his older brother, Reb Zalman Aharon (the Raza), would visit their grandfather, my father-in-law the Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedek [Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn of Lubavitch, 1879-1866], on a daily basis. At the end of the visits, the Tzemach Tzedek would usually give each one a coin.
In beis harav (the Rebbeim’s family), it was customary for the children to wear a shtreimel (and gartel) when entering the Rebbe’s room to speak with him. The [Rebbe] Rashab and the Raza each had a shtreimel which they would put on before visiting the Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedek.
One day, the Raza couldn’t find his shtreimel, so at the scheduled time, the [Rebbe] Rashab went alone.
Upon entering the room, his grandfather picked him up and sat him down on his lap for a long period of time. He then gave him a five-kopeck coin and kissed him.
When he returned home, he excitedly announced that today, in addition to receiving the usual coin, he received a kiss as well.
The Raza realized that the kiss had great significance and was extremely upset that he had missed this special occasion. Frustrated at his misfortune, he grabbed the coin out of his brother's hand.
The [Rebbe] Rashab cried out, “You can grab the coin Zeide gave me, but you can’t take away the kiss!”
Realizing that what he had done was wrong, the Raza immediately handed back the coin. However, the [Rebbe] Rashab refused to accept it, saying, “You keep the coin and I’ll keep the kiss.”
Concluding the story, Rebbetzin Rivkah said to the chassidim: “If at such a young age he was able to understand the difference between a coin and a kiss, how can one possibly think that now, when he is Rebbe, he doesn’t understand what he should do?! If so, how can I give him advice?!”
I [heard this story from Rav Yitzchok Raphalovitch, who was one of the chassidim who approached Rebbetzin Rivkah with this request.
Reprinted from the Parshas Vayeira 5784 email of the Weekly Story of Rabbi Sholom Avtzon, a veteran mechanech and the author of numerous books on the Lubavitcher Rebbeim and their chassidim.
