The twentieth of Cheshvan, this year corresponding to this coming Thursday, 21st of November, is the birthday of Rabbi Sholom DovBer (1860-1920), the fifth Chabad Lubavitch Rebbe.
When Rabbi Sholom DovBer was a very young child, he visited his grandfather, the Tzemach Tzedek, to receive a blessing on his birthday.
No sooner had he entered the room than the boy burst into tears. “Why are you crying?” the Rebbe asked his grandson.
“I learned in this week's Torah portion that G-d appeared to Abraham after he performed the mitzvah of brit mila (circumcision). Why doesn't G-d appear to me too?” the young child wept in earnest.
The Tzemach Tzedek explained that when a tzadik, a righteous person, decides to circumcise himself at the age of 99, he is truly deserving of G-d's revelation!
There is much to be learned from this story. First and foremost is the power of a positive and well-planned Jewish education. We see from this incident how educating a child in a true Torah way cultivates a fervent desire for holiness and a sincere yearning for G-dliness and the great leader he later on became.
Another story which took place many years later afer he assumed leadership as Rebbe, illustrates the high esteem in which he held every individual.
One of his close followers, Reb Monye Monissohn, was a wealthy gem dealer. Once, when they were sitting together, the Rebbe spoke very highly about some of the seemingly simple, unlearned Jews.
"Why do you make such a fuss about them?" Reb Monye asked the Rebbe.
"Each one of them has many special and noble qualities," explained the Rebbe.
"Well, I can't notice any unique qualities," replied Reb Monye somewhat surprised.
The Rebbe remained silent. A while later, he asked Reb Monye if he had brought any of his diamond wares with him. Indeed, Reb Monye had brought a package of rare diamonds yet suggested to the Rebbe that he display them later, when they could be seen to their best advantage via the natural daylight.
When the perfect time arrived, Reb Monye led the Rebbe into a different room and arranged the diamonds near the window for him to see. Reb Monye pointed to one gem in particular, extolling its beautiful color and quality.
"I can't see anything special about it," the Rebbe said.
"That is because you have to be a 'mayven' to know how to look at a diamond!" explained Reb Monye.
The rebbe smiled and replied, "Every Jew, too, is rare and precious. But you have to be a mayven to know how to look at one!"
