By Fitz Rabin
It happened last Friday, Erev Shabbos Parshas Tazria-Metzora. I was walking down St. Johns between Kingston and Albany in Crown Heights when Randy stopped me: “Excuse me, sir, can you please tell me who that is?”
Just about where we were standing, there was a storefront with multiple pictures of the Rebbe prominently displayed in the front window and Randy wanted to know who the man featured – the Rebbe – was.
Chaza”l say “Megalgelin Zchus al yedei Zakkai”, “meritorious individuals are afforded meritorious opportunities”. I immediately was grateful and excited for this meritorious opportunity, and asked Randy “What do YOU see in the picture?”
Why did I do that? Why ask him a question first instead of simply answering him? Besides, what difference does it make what he sees?
To me, “teaching” someone who the Rebbe is – is not merely the relaying of information.
Because the Rebbe is not a “personality” but a “Possibility”. The Alter Rebbe explains that the life of Tzadik is their “Emunah, Yirah, and Ahavah,” not their flesh. What I understand that to mean is that the Rebbe functions like a carrier wave so that any time an individual moves higher up the ladder from materialism and separation to spirituality and oneness, the Rebbe’s life acts as wind blowing from behind supporting him. Then the individual’s energy merges with that of the Rebbes, and the force for Gd and for goodness increases in the world.
That’s why I wasn’t just going to tell him some “historical narrative” about the Rebbe.
No. This would be an opportunity to have the Rebbe BE PRESENT. To have what the Rebbe actually is about to come to LIFE for Randy and for me in our speaking.
This is why I began by asking Randy, “what do you see in the picture?”.
This was intentional.
Because when someone asks “who is that?” it typically beckons a conversation about the history – “His Story” – of that man.
However, I wanted Randy to get that the Rebbe is not merely a “historical figure.” The Rebbe is NOW. The Rebbe is Emunah, Yirah, and Ahavah. The Rebbe is a force of good rooting for YOU right here and right now.
By asking him, “what do you see in the picture?”, the context of the conversation shifted so that the Rebbe would not merely be discussed like a personality from History, but a possibility that is present right now.
Plus, by eliciting from Randy what HE saw in the picture – strength – HE got connected with the Rebbe in a way that is meaningful and difference-making for him. And now that he has more context for exactly what that “strength” is about, each time he will pass the picture, he will see the possibility of strength for his own life, his own divine mission, and purpose of existence.
VIDEO:
Reach the writer at fitzrabin@gmail.com
Fitzi you’re the Man
Love this !
BH
We should start some sessions in the park
Creating G-ds space.
Teaching the local kids the Sheva mitzvahs! Like urgently . The rebbe spoke about it a lot ! It’s a shlichus that is CRITICAL that’s been overlooked for way too long !
Let’s do this crown heights
We need a girls group and a boys group
In a sicha I learned just yesterday (thank you, Shliach Rabbi Azimov in Beit Shemesh), the Rebbe talks (in the context of Ahavas Yisrael) that we shouldn’t wait for someone else to “do it”; rather, we should do it ourselves.
Surely this applies to your idea?! Just think how much light you can bring into the world this summer by starting this group! Go for it!
What a beautiful dialogue. Thank you for sharing.
Randy found the perfect person to ask his question to.
Wow, what a beautiful moment.
R. Fitz, your eloquent way of answering and engaging is an example for us all.
Randy, may we all learn from you and your desire to connect to your fellow neighbors.
Thank you for sharing and inspiring!
I watched the video 3 times. You beautifully and eloquently encapsulated who our dear Rebbe was and in just a few minutes! You can see how touched he was from your words.
Excellent explanation
We need more of these types of encounters with the people in our neighborhood
As owners we are proud that after many years, once again our home serves as a place of Kiddush Shem Shamyim. A sure sign of the Geulah coming very soon אמן!
This was a most articulate, dignifying, meaningful expression of the Rebbe.
Complete Kiddush Hashem which brings achdus bein adam l’chaveiro.
Therefore, would add:
The Rebbe inspired us to live and express this G-Dly presence through the
VENUE of LOVE!
Ahavas Haborei, expressed through Ahavas Habriyos – achieves our Creators ultimate presence and purpose for this world.
Yasher Koach !!!
Amazing