rebbe maharash – Melava Malka Stories

Heartfelt tears of a mother saves her family

In the annals of Chabad, who has not heard of Reb Peretz Chein z”l, the prodigious Chasid of the Alter Rebbe, first Chabad Rebbe. His progeny today are leaders and shakers and movers around the world numbering in the thousands. Reb Peretz merited to live during the lifetime of six Chabad Rebbes, beginning with the Alter Rebbe till the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Yet his family from the Shaltiel clan, a well respected and knowledgeable Jewish family who were leaders among the Jewish people for many centuries, were not previously Chassidim. How did he come to become a Chasid?

The Rebbe at the casino

My grandfather, the Rebbe Maharash, once set out for Paris, together with two gabba’im (attendants), Reb Leivik and Reb Pinchas Leib. He was also accompanied by two chassidim, Reb Monye Monensohn and Reb Yeshaya Berlin (who was also a nephew of the Rebbe).
On their arrival, Reb Yeshaya asked the Rebbe Maharash where they should proceed to and was told, “To the Alexander Hotel” – one of the largest hotels whose guests included royalty. The Rebbe Maharash put him at ease: “You can’t speak French…, so I’ll do the talking.”

Excerpts from the Previous Rebbe’s Memoirs 1

It was imperative that I leave our country because the period from my arrest until my fortunate departure was a time of stressful pressure, intense suffering, and awesome terror. G-d be praised that we remained alive. “Give thanks to G‑d, for He is good!”

The Rebbe Maharash And The Old Men

The Rebbe Maharash would travel for health purposes, using the opportunity to visit and consult with overseas rabbinic and communal leaders on matters of public concern. At this particular trip he traveled incognito, accompanied only by his assistant, the gabbai Pinchas Leib. The Rebbe Maharash relates:

How The Rebbe Maharash Helped A Jew Come Back To His Roots

B”H

It was late in the afternoon when Rebbe Shmuel, the Maharash, accompanied by his two gabbaim arrived in Paris, France. The purpose of the trip was still unclear to the two escorts. Before leaving, the Rebbe told them only where they would be going.

Continue reading How The Rebbe Maharash Helped A Jew Come Back To His Roots