Great Torah giants of our day stand in awe before the magnitude of the all-encompassing knowledge of Torah texts and sources which the Rebbe displays in all realms and levels of study. The illustrious Rabbi Yisrael Yitzchak Piekarski, Rosh Yeshivah in Lubavitch for many years, said: “Appreciation of the Rebbe’s unparalleled knowledge of Torah takes priority over describing his miraculous feats. Nevertheless, there is a connection between the two. If I am not mistaken, the Rebbe himself once said, ‘One who is great in the study of Torah law (nigleh) is also great in other things.’ ”

His preference for highlighting the Rebbe’s scholarship did not, however, prevent Rabbi Piekarski from relating some of his own personal experiences with the Rebbe. “Once, prior to a journey, I visited the Rebbe. When I informed him of the details of my return flight, he responded, ‘Why should you stay away so long? You can return two days earlier.’ I was very surprised. I had already made all the arrangements and booked my flight. The departure date fitted my itinerary perfectly.

“Of course, I did not question the Rebbe’s remark, and immediately changed my plans. Later, I learned that the flight on which I was originally scheduled to depart met with disaster. The plane was involved in a tragic accident in Bulgaria and its passengers perished.

“And yet,” continued Rabbi Piekarski, “perhaps more than these miracles, is the tremendous concern for others that the Rebbe displays. His willingness to deal with the most insignificant and minute details touches me most deeply.

“Before my annual summer trip, the Rebbe always asks about my itinerary and the length of my stay in each country. He always gives me shaliach mitzvah1 coins in the currency of the countries I will visit. As a rule, Switzerland is usually my first stop.

“Once, the Rebbe spent a considerable amount of time searching his drawers for Swiss coins. Waiting uncomfortably, I finally said that the Swiss accept U.S. coins as well. Only then did the Rebbe seem satisfied and stop his search.

“On another occasion, shortly before the wedding of a certain yeshivah student of limited means, the Rebbe questioned me in detail about the wedding arrangements. I could not understand how the Rebbe knew of all these minute details, nor could I understand his concern. The Rebbe noticed my discomfort in discussing these details and explained, ‘I manage the distribution of funds from several charities. This is a responsibility that I don’t want to give up.’ ”