listen to thy elders

Rabbi Lipszyc's Story of the Week #37. Sponsored in honor of the birthdays of Hindy, Miriam Devora & Boruch.    Generally speaking, Rabbi Shemtov had a good understanding of what the Rebbe’s approach was in different situations. One example was when the Rebbe spoke about doing a certain project (unfortunately, I don’t remember exactly what it was,) and we were all excited and wanted to implement it the very next day. Rabbi Shemtov cautioned us not to jump into it, we first need to hear clarification from the Rebbe as to what he wanted us to do. This sounded really crazy to the rest of us, as the sicha seemed very clear cut. In fact all the other shluchim throughout the United States immediately began to implement this project, the very next day, according to what seemed to be a clear cut hora’ah. Several days later the Rebbe publicly addressed the issue saying that all those who acted with alacrity, meant well but completely misunderstood what he had wanted. The Rebbe then went on to say what he really wanted, and it was entirely different than what we had initially understood. How Rabbi Shemtov perceived this, I have no idea, but he definitely seemed to understand something most others, even other shluchim, didn't. So perhaps you can understand my pleasure in the few times, when I saw things differently than Rabbi Shemtov, and the Rebbe concurred with me.  The first time was in 1975. Israeli President Ephraim Katzir was being presented an Honorary PHD Degree in Law at the University of Michigan. I felt, that since Rabbi Kagan and I were hoping that in the near future we would be opening a Chabad House on that campus, Chabad should have a noticable presence at that event. There were two parts to the program: The awarding of the PHD would be held in the auditorium and be open to the public. Afterwards there was to be a VIP reception on one of the upper floors by invitation only. Of course, if Chabad was to make an appearance, we would also have to be invited to the reception, as anything less could be perceived as a slight to the the Rebbe and what Chabad on campus represented. I knew that the dean who was organizing the event was very close to and an admirer of Mr. Osias Zwerdling, so I approached Mr. Zwerdling and asked if he could get Rabbis Shemtov, Kagan and myself invited to the reception. He felt that it would be no problem. Before, following through I told him I just want to double check with Rabbi Shemtov. When I spoke to Rabbi Shemtov about it, he felt that before we do something like that, we should check with the Rebbe. “But,” he continued, “if the Rebbe gives the ok, we need to present him with a gift. What kind of a gift are we going to give him?” I said, “It seems obvious that it should be the book about Chabad activities in Israel – Challenge, Israel.” Some time earlier, at the Rebbe’s behest, Mr. Bentzion Rader, an English businessman had authored a book about Chabad activities in England, titled Challenge. In it, he also superficially added a little about Chabad activities in other places around the world, including just a drop about the U.S.A. and Israel. When he had an occasion to meet with the then President or Prime Minister of Israel, he gave him the book. Seeing how little was mentioned about Israel, the leader of the Jewish country remarked that the work of Chabad in Israel is surely deserving of its own book. When Mr. Rader mentioned this to the Rebbe, the Rebbe encouraged him to write another Challenge for Eretz Yisroel. It was this book, which had come out not too long before, that I recommended that we should present to President Katzir. Rabbi Shemtov felt that surely Chabad in Israel had already presented him with that book. I agreed with his assumption but felt that even if he already had one, we needed to also give one to him, since he represented Israel. However, I felt perhaps we could give him the set, (the one about England as well.) Rabbi Shemtov, didn’t agree. Meanwhile, he called Rabbi Hodakov, (the Rebbe’s main secretary,) and asked if we should go to the event. Rabbi Chadakov answered in the affirmative. So Rabbi Shemtov asked his advice as to what gift we should present him with, and Rabbi Hodakov answered, the book “Challenge: Israel.” Rabbi Shemtov asked in surprise, “but surely he already has that?” Many times when shluchim would call Rabbi Hodakov, the Rebbe himself would be on the line. This was one of those times. So when RabbiShemtov asked the last question, the Rebbe himself answered, “so you’ll give him both books, about England and Israel.”  The story however didn’t end there. I gave Mr. Zwerdling the go ahead to get us the invitations. To our surprise, (Mr. Zwerdling’s as well as my own,) the organizer refused Mr. Zwerdling’s request. That is, he extended Mr. Zwerdling an invitation, but refused to give invitations for we three rabbis. However, since the Rebbe had already given us the go ahead, to accept this setback was not an option. So Rabbi Shemtov called Mr. Irwin Cohen, chairman of Chabad of Michigan. Mr. Cohen was one of the most prestigious lawyers in the State of Michigan, a most respected philanthropist throughout the state, and a long time close friend of this dean. When he heard what had happened, he offered to personally call the dean. The dean, suspecting on whose behalf Mr. Cohen was calling, would not pick up the phone. Mr. Cohen, was sure that it must just be either a miscommunication, or that the dean was just too busy. There was no way that the dean would purposely ignore him!  So Mr. Cohen told Rabbi Shemtov that he would meet us at the auditorium in Ann Arbor, (where the presentation would be given,) get us front row seats, and after the awarding and presentation, he would get us into the reception. He got us the front row seats, but whenever he tried to catch the dean’s attention, it was obvious that the dean was purposely avoiding meeting his eye. After the ceremony, as the group was marching off the stage, Mr. Cohen got up from his seat walked over to the stage and in a loud whisper called the dean by his first name.  The dean ignored him. By this point Mr. Cohen was quite embarrassed and irked at how his friend was treating him, especially in front of us. So Rabbi Shemtov said, this is not the right place to try and arrange this, let’s go upstairs where the reception is being held, and let’s see what can be done there.  We all went upstairs, but of course, there were guards there and without official invitations we couldn’t get into the room. Mr. Cohn and the dean exchanged glances through the doorway, and it was obvious he wasn’t letting any of us in. Mr. Cohn was fuming at the personal insult. Suddenly, President Katzir turned toward us, and when he saw three rabbis, his face lit up in a big welcoming smile.  With outstretched arms he came to the door calling out “Ah, Chabadniks!  Come in, come in!” With that the guards moved out of the way, and president Katzir himself led all four of us, Mr. Irwin Cohn and RabbisShemtov, Kagan and myself into the room with the reception. With pictures being flashed over and over with us and the President, it was clear that we had became the center of attention. As soon as we tried to hand the gift of books to President Katzir, the Israeli security moved in, to whom he said in reprimand, “What?! These are Chabadnikim -- you suspect them?!” Despite the dean trying to get President Katzir to divert his attention from us, he kept up a conversation with us, including our introducing Mr. Cohn to him, for quite some time. There was no question, despite all of the dean’s attempts to keep us out, that the Rebbe’s will had won out.  When Mr. Cohn would have nothing more to do with this dean, the dean wrote a long letter to Mr. Cohn bemoaning the fact that he would allow Chabad to come between such good friends of more than 50 years, to which Mr. Cohn responded, “No, you let your own personal feelings come between what I thought was a 50 year friendship.” I do know that Rabbi Shemtov tried to patch up that friendship, although I have no idea if he succeeded.  To receive Rabbi Lipszyc's Story of the week via Whatsapp add the number 513-456-7595 to your phone contacts, and then send a text to with the message "Join".  Support Rabbi Lipszyc's work by Donating at https://chabadcrimeaorg.clhosting.org/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/2511910/jewish/Crisis-Relief/lang/en or sending checks to: Chabad of Crimea World Friends, 1601 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11213