On Shabbos Parshas Nitzavim 1968-69, during a Fabrengen a few days before Rosh Hashana, the Rebbe discussed, with much nuance and anguish, various problems that had, as of late, occurred in 770. Among the issues raised was with access to the roof not being secured. The Rebbe was concerned for the safety of the children. He also spoke disapprovingly about the fact that there were no cups available in 700 for guests, making it difficult for them to get a drink if they needed. Many who were present at the time were miffed, not understanding the connection between the auspicious days of the year they were living through and the content of the Sicha. Including those wondering was one of the Mashpiim at the Yeshiva in Newark who sat with the bachurim to explain. He said “Here we are just a few days before Rosh Hashana, at a time when we crown Hashem as King, (known as Biyan HaMalchus) and because of us the Rebbe needs to get involved these kind of issues? “We need wake up and do more in our avodah to prevent the need for the Rebbe to pay attention at such an auspicious hour to things that are the responsibility of Chassidim.”
There is another story told involving Shimon Goldman that occurred on the first night of Rosh Hashana. The Rebbe was, during that time period, davening in the upstairs shul for Rosh Hashana. Reb Shimon happened to be davening in the hallway where he had found a place to stand. On the Rebbe’s way back to his room from the shul, he noticed Reb Shimon and called him to his room (Imagine the hisorrarus teshuva he must have had!). The Rebbe told him that on Erev Rosh Hashana he had seen his pregnant wife and his child fall down in the street. The Rebbe said that it is known that Malachim escort children and place pillows in front of them to cushion when they fall (implying that surely his child is ok). The Rebbe wanted to know if his wife was feeling better and that he should see to it that she takes care of herself.
In a similar vein, once during a Yechidus after Tishre an individual was asked the following question by the Rebbe. The Rebbe had seen this individual’s son before Rosh Hashana without glasses, and later during tekios he saw him with glasses. His question was; “How are your son’s eyes?”
On Shabbos Parshas Nitzavim 1974 the Rebbe spoke about the level of learning of the Bachurim in Yeshiva and how changes were necessary. The Rebbe wanted to dispatch Bachurim to different Yeshivas. He required that all Bachurim write to the Hanohala of the Yeshivas who would decide and then direct them to which Yeshiva to attend. The Rebbe added that he wanted the list completed no later than the following Monday morning, Erev Rosh Hashana before he would leave for the Ohel. Because of this, on that Motzei Shabbos and the following Sunday there was a big tummul involving Yeshivas all around the world; Kfar Chabad, Montreal, Lod, France etc, to complete this request on time. During the Rosh Hashana fabrengen, the Rebbe dedicated a Sicha for those Bachurim that had been assigned to Yeshivas and were planning to go. At the end of the Sicha the Rebbe said that the Bachurim should say LeChayim.
A question that runs through all these stories is; what is the significance in these details in such an auspicious time? Would it not be better to defer these details for a time while we focus on the awesomeness of crowning Hashem as King (Haktaras HaMelech)? Should we not be completely absorbed in developing a rich inner core of spirituality that a true servant of HaShem most appropriately needs to face the Master of the Universe in prayer on the Day of Judgement? In general the answer is yes! It is true that we must do teshuva, and that requires a strong focus on realizing that “We are your servants and you are our Master”, that “We are your children and you are our Father”, and that we are all one as we stand together to hear the sounding of the Shofar on Rosh Hashana, as we crown Hashem as the King of Israel and the King of the Universe. The point in these stories is that our service cannot be only found in generalities. That orientation needs to carry over into all the details. It must penetrate and encompass every aspect of our lives. If someone does not have cup to have a drink, something is missing in Malchus. If a child and his mother are hurt, their wellbeing is inseparable and essential parts of the wholeness of Hashem’s Kingdom. The wholeness of Hashem’s Kingdom includes a young boy and his ability to see properly. These are not mutually exclusive ideas; they are one and the same! Everything is relevant to within Hashem’s Kingship. Resolving the placement of Bachurim in the Yeshiva system needs completion Erev Rosh Hashana before going to the Ohel, and they are part and parcel of the LeChayim on Rosh Hashana!
In conclusion the bottom line is that on Rosh Hashana we cry out to Hashem that we are your servants and we will do anything that you want 24 hours a day and 7 days a week in all aspects of daily living, both spiritual and physical.
Hashem surely accepts our prayers and everyone is blessed with a good and sweet year with a Kasiva vaChasima Tovah L’Shana Tovah uMesuka for the community at large and each and every individual in particular. And all of the above together with Hashem’s Kingship fully revealed in this physical world with coming of Moshiach.