Weekly Chasidic Story #595 (s5769-30 / 27 Nissan 5769)

On the Same Page

He could read the hand-writing of the Tzemach Tzedek in the margins of his copy of the Kabbalah tome, Etz Chaim, the recordings of the teachings of the holy Ari of Tsfat by Rabbi Chayim Vital.

(Connection: yahrzeit date)

On the Same Page

Rabbi Yossele Lubavitcher found himself in a dilemma. Rabbi Schneur Zalman, the Alter Rebbe of Chabad, had passed away, and so had his son, Rabbi Dov Ber, known as the Mittler Rebbe.

He felt the loss maybe more than many of the Chasssidm, since he had been a personal friend of the Alter Rebbe and was also the teacher of his son before he became the successor of the Alter Rebbe.

And now he was faced with a serious, personal problem. He felt it extremely difficult to become the chassid of the young son-in-law of the Mittler Rebbe. He spent sleepless nights, tossing from side to side.

In the end he did accept Rabbi Menachem Mendel, usually referred to as the Tzemach Tzedek, as his Rebbe only because he knew the value of acceptance of the decree of Heaven. The Rebbe, of course, understood his feelings.

Once late at night, Rabbi Yossele Lubavitcher was deeply engrossed in the Kabbalistic tome, Etz Chayim [the teachings of the holy Ari of Safed, as recorded by the only student whom the Ari permitted to write, Rabbi Chayim Vital], delving deeply into fundamental Kabbalistic concepts. After studying in deep concentration, he fell asleep, leaning over his book.

And he dreamt a dream.

In his dream he saw the Alter Rebbe studying Etz Chayim on the same page that he had been studying. The Alter Rebbe raised a question, and as a result of the pure sweetness of the question, Rabbi Yossele decided that he too wished to remain in Gan Eden forever with the Alter Rebbe and return no more to this material world.

"But what can I do?" he thought in his dream, "Against your will you live…'(Avot 4:22).

Then he saw the Mittler Rebbe trying to find an answer to the question. And again, the answer was so sweet that he wanted to remain with them forever.

The discussion went on, and Rabbi Yossele Lubavitcher watched and listened.

The pilpul came to an end, and none of them came to an acceptable conclusion. Then he heard the Alter Rebbe saying: "Since we do not know the answer, let us ask Mend'chik" (the name by which Rabbi Menachem Mendel was called in his youth).

Rabbi Yossele woke up with a start. If this was the case - he wanted to see Rabbi Menachem Mendel at once and strengthen his connection to him.

It was early morning, and when he knocked on the door, the Rebbe himself let him in. Even before he began speaking to him, the eyes of Rabbi Yossele fell on the book lying on the table. It was the Etz Chayim, and it was open at the same page that he had been studying, the one discussed in his dream by the Alter Rebbe and his son. He could even read the hand-writing of the Tzemach Tzedek clearly. It was written with ink that had not yet dried. "My teacher, my grand-father of blessed memory holds this view, and my teacher, my father-in-law of blessed memory, holds that view, and my opinion is…."

Rabbi Yossele understood that people of this kind are not subjected to the ordinary norms of nature. They are not limited by nature and are able to live in this world as well as in the highest spiritual realms at the same time.

Now Rabbi Yossele was able to accept Rabbi Menachem Mendel as his Rebbe with all his heart and soul.

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[Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from "Chassidic Gems", edited by Tuvia Litzman, who heard it from Rabbi Moshe Veshetzky, z'l.]

Connection: yarhzeit of Rabbi Chayim Vital

Biographic notes(in chronological order):
Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (1534-5 Av 1572), Known as "the holy Ari," revolutionized the study of Kabbalah and its integration into mainstream Judaism during the two years he spent in Zefat before his death at 38. Much of Chasidic thought is based on the Ari's kabbalah teachings, as recorded by his main disciple, Rabbi Chaim Vital.

Rabbi Chaim Vital (1543 - 30 Nisan 1620) Student of Rabbis Moshe Alsheich and Moshe Cordevero, but best known as the main disciple of Rabbi Yitzchak Luria and the authoritative redactor of his doctrines, as recorded in Etz Chaim ("Tree of Life"). Pri Etz Chaim ("Fruit of the Tree of Life"), and Shmoneh Sha'arim ("Eight Gates"). Author of several books of his own as well.

Rabbi Shnuer Zalman [18 Elul 1745-24 Tevet 1812], one of the main disciples of the Maggid of Mezritch, is the founder of the Chabad-Chassidic movement. He is the author of Shulchan Aruch HaRav and Tanya as well as many other major works in both Jewish law and the mystical teachings.

Rabbi Dov-Ber Shneuri [9 Kislev 1773 - 9 Kislev 1827], known in Lubavitch circles as "the Mittler (Middle) Rebbe," was the eldest son and successor to Rabbi Shneur Zalman, founder of the Chabad movement. He is the author of numerous deep, mystical texts.

Rabbi Menachem-Mendel Schneersohn [29 Elul 1789-13 Nissan 1866], the third Rebbe of Chabad, was known as the Tzemach Tzedek, after his books of Halachic responsa and Talmudic commentary called by that name. He was renowned not only as a Rebbe, but also as a leading scholar in his generation in both the revealed and hidden aspects of Torah.

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Yerachmiel Tilles is co-founder and associate director of Ascent-of-Safed, and chief editor of this website (and of KabbalaOnline.org). He has hundreds of published stories to his credit, and many have been translated into other languages. He tells them live at Ascent nearly every Saturday night.

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