“Pardon me,” said the visitor to the man standing in front of him. They were both waiting on line to receive a dollar from the Rebbe on a spring Sunday.

The man in front of him turned around. “How can I help you?” he asked pleasantly.

“This is the first time I’ve come and I’m not quite sure how to approach the Rebbe,” the newcomer continued. “You see, I’m having severe difficulty with my youngest son. He is going through an extremely rebellious period. I would like to request the Rebbe’s blessing on this matter.

“Would you be able to assist me in the proper wording. I understand one must be short and precise and I would not like to take too much precious time from the Rebbe.”

The man thought for a moment and then said to the visitor. “You seem to understand the need to keep the line moving. Imagine how many more hours the Rebbe would have to stand here if every person would speak to him, even briefly. So, the Rebbe’s blessing of Brochah v’hatzlachah (‘blessing and success’) to each person as he hands him the dollar includes all his needs.”

The newcomer understood and decided not to mention anything to the Rebbe. As the Rebbe handed him the dollar, he listened wholeheartedly to the anticipated Brochah v’hatzlachah. He felt the blessing empower him with faith and strength. As he moved on, he suddenly realized that the Rebbe had not turned to the person behind him, but instead was beckoning him to wait.

The Rebbe handed him an additional dollar, saying: “For your son.”