An affluent Jew, who had become close to Lubavitch in the 5740’s (1980’s), joined the Machane Yisrael development fund. [The Machane Yisrael Development Fund was established in 1984 by the Rebbe to serve as a major financial resource of the Lubavitch institutional network. It was formed by prominent Jewish philanthropists dedicated to the growth of Jewish life and the greater vision of Jewish continuity.]
Once, after the Rebbe addressed the group of supporters, he had an opportunity to approach the Rebbe: “Rebbe, I have become close to Lubavitch only recently. I therefore have not merited a private yechidut (audience). Please accept me to a yechidut.”
The Rebbe suddenly became very serious and sat up straighter in his chair. The Rebbe began talking, but this Jew became so emotional, he couldn’t grasp what the Rebbe was saying to him. But, he caught one thing. The Rebbe said, “as a rule, when one comes to me, I tell him to learn Tanya.”
Adapted from The Weekly Farbrengen by Merkaz Anash, online at TheWeeklyFarbrengen.com
