In the early 1950s, my grandfather, Rabbi Meir Blizinsky, joined the Board of Directors of the Oholei Yosef Yitzchak network of schools, also known as the "Reshet." The Reshet was an initiative – spearheaded by the Rebbe, named in memory of his father-in-law, the sixth Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn – to establish Torah day schools across Israel.
The Reshet quickly became a place of quality Torah study and warmth. The Rebbe, of righteous memory, was heavily involved in the Reshet's structure, curriculum and, at times even, its day-to-day operation.
A Chabad-Lubavitch emissary who wished to join the Rebbe in New York for the High Holidays would first need to request "permission" from the Rebbe. Seldom would the Rebbe permit someone to leave behind their community. (For this reason, many emissaries had the custom to come the Shabbat following the holidays.)
In the late 1950s, Rabbi Blizinsky arrived in New York for the High Holidays, and had a private audience with the Rebbe. "I was waiting to speak to you," the Rebbe said. "You are on the Board of Directors of the Reshet, and you know that a principal of one of the Reshet schools traveled here for the High Holidays. Did he obtain permission to come for the entire month?"
Rabbi Blizinsky responded that the principal had not.
The Rebbe then exclaimed in an unsettled tone, "Since he arrived here, I have wanted to sit and study," and he pointed to the bookcases lining the room's walls. "However, I cannot focus on my learning. My mind is occupied with the thoughts: Where is the responsibility? How could a principal leave a school for the entire month of the holidays? How is it possible for anyone to take on the responsibility of leaving his post?"
After the meeting, Rabbi Blizinsky approached the principal, and kindly asked him to take the next possible flight back to Israel.