By Dovid Zaklikowski for COLlive and Hasidic Archives
Mr. Zalmon Jaffe, a businessman from Manchester, England, would never consider missing the Rebbe’s 80th birthday celebration in the spring of 1982. Hundreds of dignitaries, philanthropists and community leaders from across the globe would be traveling to partake in the festivities at Lubavitch World Headquarters for this monumental event.
The Rebbe would deliver scholarly talks, interspersed with intervals of Chassidic song. Commonly, many of the visitors would deliver gifts to the Rebbe, such as antique scholarly volumes, keys to new institutions and honorary proclamations.
The offices of Lubavitch of Manchester wanted to present the Rebbe with a unique gift accompanied by a birthday greeting. A member of the community purchased a beautiful silver wine decanter and opined that it would be an ideal gift for the Rebbe.
At gatherings, the Rebbe would have a bottle of wine in a plain brown paper bag by his side, and the Manchester community felt that a silver decanter would be appropriate.
Mr. Jaffe was unsure if the Rebbe would use the decanter, and telephoned the Rebbe’s wife, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson with whom he was on close terms.
He explained his anxiety regarding the gift and asked her to inquire of the Rebbe whether he’d appreciate it.
The next day, when Mr. Jaffe called back, the Rebbetzin informed him that she had given the message to the Rebbe, but the Rebbe had remained silent.
The community decided that the Rebbe’s silence confirmed that he would accept the gift. Mr. Jaffe wrote to the Rebbetzin, thanking her for her cooperation and informing her that they planned to present the decanter to the Rebbe on his birthday.
Shortly thereafter, Mr. Jaffe received a letter from the Rebbe, with the envelope stamped “Special Delivery, Express.” The letter was complete with a blessing, a Jewish teaching and a postscript:
“Mrs. Schneerson has mentioned to me about the question of a silver wine decanter. I certainly appreciate the good intention and desire. But for practical considerations, I must take the thought for the deed. For, as a matter of principle and practice over the past 30-odd years, I prefer to use a “bagged” glass container that conceals its contents, though I have, thank G-d, silver vessels.
“I cannot go into the reasons for the above here. But one reason, if it will satisfy you, is that I do not wish to make a distinction between me and those surrounding me.”
Find Hasidic Archives latest books on HasidicArchives.com Story Bites: Short Stories to Savor and Dear Rebbe: Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson corresponds with a singer, a writer, a sculptor & a Holocaust survivor, also available on Amazon Prime
