When my zeide’s father — R. Avraham HaLevi of Borshtzovk — weakened, my uncle Rav Shneur Zalman traveled from Korma to visit him. He remained there several weeks until returning home, for he served as a rov in Korma. My father, who was standing there when my uncle parted from his zeide Avraham, heard him say, “ Nu, the first thing is: Be healthy!” And he added, with a nigun, “If not, don’t be afraid of any angel or any seraph — only of Hashem Himself. ”
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Stories from As I Heard Them (Lesheima Ozen) by Reb Zalman Duchman · © The Duchman Family; please share this sheet as printed
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Stories for the week
Parshas MaseiBe Healthy — And Fear Only HashemAs I Heard Them, Vol. 1, p. 295, no. 25 On Foot from Krasnoye: Shavuos 5674 in LubavitchAs I Heard Them, Vol. 1, pp. 143-144, no. 15 In the summer of 5674 (1914 ) the railroad added a fourth class that was half the cost. Normally from Homil to Krasnoye one paid four rubles and five kopeks, but now it was only half as much. I had wanted to go for Shavuos. Taking my tefillin and heading for the train, I told my brother that that evening he should say that I had left for Lubavitch.20 When I returned from Lubavitch, my zeide told me, “You acted correctly; sometimes you have to do things that way. But me — you should have told! I would have given you a three-ruble note for the way!” From Krasnoye I went on foot to Lubavitch. The spiritual pleasure of that Shavuos was extraordinary. The Rebbe — it was the mourning period for his mother, Rebbetzin Rivkah — led the davening [ during the weekdays ]. Such a baal mochin, such a wondrous mind he possessed! Yet, one time, while reciting the Shema and saying “ echad” in deep thought — he snapped his fingers.
The Zeide's Nights: A Singed Gemara BeitzahAs I Heard Them, Vol. 1, pp. 324-325, no. 11 This was my zeide’s daily schedule: he would go to sleep at 12:30 or 12:45 a.m., and wake up at 3:30 or 3:45 a.m. My father told us that until the age of 50 or 55, Zeide never laid down to sleep; he would only doze lightly at the table. I remember that Zeide had a slightly singed Gemara Beitzah at home. “Zeide was sitting and learning, ” my father said, “and dozed off; and the book was scorched by the candle. ” |