Yud Shevat was this Friday. The following is a story about the Previous Rebbe’s mesirus nefesh for ahavas Yisroel.
This story relates to the Previous Rebbe’s communal work in the days of the Czarist Russia. At that time the Prime Minister of Russia was Stalipin, who was famous for his dislike for Yidden and implementation of difficult decrees at every opportunity.
There was however, an individual from whom Stalipin learned his leadership skills, had great respect for and would listen to. His name was Minister and General Pabyadanastav. Although Pabyadanastav was far from being a lover of Jews, he nonetheless was a man of faith. He respected religious people and even l’havdil Rabbis. People involved in communal affairs knew that when Stalipin was going to activate a new decree, when all else failed they could try to approach Pabyadanastav to ask for his assistance.
The Rebbe Rashab became aware at that time that Stalipin had prepared a fresh decree against the Yidden. The communal leaders in Petersburg notified the Rebbe Rashab that they had tried every known way and every means at their disposal to influence Stalipin but nothing had been effective. With no other option, the Rebbe Rashab instructed the Previous Rebbe to become involved in trying to avert this decree. The Previous Rebbe went to Petersburg to see what could be done and decided to approach the minister Pabyadanastav. Pabyadanastav agreed to accept a visit from the Previous Rebbe because of his sentiments towards Rabbis, specifically a leader like the Rebbe. The only difficulty was that the minister Pabyadanastav agreed only to meet the Rebbe on Friday night, after the evening meal. Since it was so difficult to get the appointment, there was no other choice than to meet with Pabyadanastav at the time that he required. At that time, Pabyadanastav lived a few miles outside the city, in an area where there were no hotels (that allowed Jews) or any Jews (even highly placed Jews) living at all.
At that time Shabbos started at four o’clock. The Rebbe had a few hours from when Shabbos started until he would meet with Pabyadanastav. Since it was too dangerous and far too cold to wander in the streets, the Rebbe needed to find a place to wait before his appointment and afterwards throughout the rest of Shabbos until after havdalah. Since there were no Jews or hotels, the only possible place the Rebbe could find was the local bar. Although, he would have to wait amongst Russian drunkards and pretend to be involved in their activities an entire day, most particularly on Shabbos, aside from all this, he had to undergo the danger to be found amongst such people who were clearly anti-Semitic. The Rebbe was matzliach in his shlichus and spent the rest of the Shabbos at the bar.
Why would the Previous Rebbe tell us this story? This story teaches us a lesson in the service of Hashem. Even though, according to logic, perhaps one would have not been required to have done what the Rebbe did. One could think, if the Beis Din on high decided that this decree should stand, it wouldn’t help to try to influence the minister. On the other hand, if it was decided from on high then it would happen without any special effort. It is true, that one needs to put in effort in a natural way, which creates the kli for the brachos to come down, as it says, “Yivarechecha Hashem Elokecha bechol asher Ta’ase – Hashem would bless you in all that you do,” that would not include endangering one’s life and losing out on the kedusha of the neshama being able to spend Shabbos davening with a minyan, learning Torah, saying a ma’amer Chassidus etc.
It may be that this logic is true, and follows the ruling of the Shulchan Aruch. Nevertheless, when the Previous Rebbe heard that there is a decree that will cause suffering of Jews, it affected him in the core of his nefesh. In that place there is no place for making a calculation and therefore he did all of the above in the hope that perhaps he would be successful to nullify the decree.
This is the lesson for all of us who follow in his ways and listen to his voice. When we find out that another Yid is suffering physically or even more so spiritually; when we hear that he is lost in the vanities of the world and is far from Hashem and his Torah. True Ahavas Yisroel demands that one be touched to the essence of his nefesh. And therefore it is understood that one does all that he can with the possibility that he may help.
(Adapted from a Yud Shevat Sicha 5720)