By Dovid Zaklikowski for COLlive and Hasidic Archives
Known for concealing his emotions, there were two times that Rabbi Yechezkel “Chatche” Feigin openly cried.
The first took place shortly after he was married. He became involved in a business in order to support his fledgling family, but in a turn of events, the Rebbe Rayatz asked him to become a mashpia (mentor) in a Lubavitch yeshivah. When the Rebbe saw that Rev Chatche did not want to give up his enterprise, he said, “Nu, we will push it off to another time.”
The following Yom Kippur, when the Rebbe was reciting the Haftorah, Reb Chatche stood close by. The Rebbe emphasized and loudly said the verse, “Before G-d, he runs.” Reb Chatche understood that the Rebbe was referring to him, and he broke out in tears. He accepted the position.
The second time came after the Rebbe appointed him to be a personal aide. The position took up most of Rev Chatche’s day, and he had little time for Torah study and prayers. This pained him greatly and he told this to the Rebbe, asking that he be given time for his personal spiritual needs.
“In Gluboke,” the Rebbe responded, “there is need for a new yeshivah.”
Reb Chatche understood that the Rebbe was not accepting his complaint, and he began to cry. The Rebbe began to cry along with him, and said, “I have the same issue, but should I just sit by with folded arms?”
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The first time was when the Rebbe Rashab passed away.
I heard the story that he cried 3 times.
It’s true, but the story that was told about him crying twice was what R’ Mendel told over. R’ Mendel saw him cry twice. By the histalkus this was told over by R’ Berel Rifkin iirc