By Dovid Zaklikowski for COLlive and Hasidic Archives
Rabbi Jacob J. Hecht was worried. The grand parade in honor of Lag B’Omer was a few days away, and he, the organizer, was not sure it would go smoothly. He worried about the weather, the floats, and the performers.
Most of all, he worried about the children. Would they come? And if they came, would they enjoy it?
The day turned out to be beautiful, and the parade was an unqualified success. Thousands of young children showed up to see the floats depicting Torah themes and listen to the music and speeches. The Rebbe delivered a talk to the children and saluted the soldiers who participated.
As the last float disappeared from sight, Rabbi Hecht thanked the police and his staff. The Rebbe, who was beside him, added that they should thank “especially the boys and girls, the children of Abraham, Isaac, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah.” Then he began singing a lively melody.
Before he left, Rabbi Hecht turned to the Rebbe and said that he hoped he had been satisfied with the event.
“Very much,” the Rebbe replied, adding, “What is with you? Why were you worried about how the parade would turn out?”
Rabbi Hecht responded that the Rebbe had “schlepped me out of my worried state!”
“Schlepped you out?” the Rebbe scoffed, “Uplifted!” He lifted his hand above his head (in the photo by Avremy Raskin) and repeated, “Uplifted!”
Find Hasidic Archives latest books on Amazon Prime Footprints: Colorful Lives, Hugh Impact and Kosher Investigator
