"Why did your parents merit such outstanding sons?" Chasidim once asked Reb Yehuda Leib, the Alter Rebbe's brother. The sons to which they referred were the Alter Rebbe, Reb Yehuda himself (head of the Rabbinical Court of Yanovitch), Reb Mordechai (head of the Rabbinical Court in Arsha) and Reb Moshe (head of the Rabbinical Court in Rodnia).
"By virtue of our mother's exceptional character, her love of Torah, and fear of G-d," replied Reb Yehuda Leib. "Let me relate an incident which reflects her unique personality.
"Our father, Reb Baruch, was a businessman whose affairs required that he travel occasionally. On one of his trips outside Russia, he brought back a gift for our mother, an expensive, fashionable, overcoat.
"At that time, we were being tutored by a private teacher. Shortly after father's return, Mother noticed that our teacher was not as enthusiastic and motivated as usual. Sensitive to what was happening, Mother tactfully asked him about the change in his disposition.
'My wife has been upset lately. She complains that I do not give her presents like Reb Boruch gives you,'" answered the teacher.
"Immediately, Mother went over to the closet in which the costly overcoat hung. She took it out and handed it to the teacher. 'Please give this to your wife. I hope she will be pleased. I have only one concern, that you study with my sons with joy and enthusiasm.'"
Reprinted from From My Father's Shabbos Table by Rabbi Yehudah Chitrik
