The depth and breadth of the chassidic lifestyle has lent itself to a colorful variation of approaches. Each approach expresses a different path of serving G‑d. Although this should bring about a productive symbiosis, a lack of open-mindedness sometimes leads to unnecessary antipathy.

Thus, a certain Belzer chassid developed strong views about Lubavitch and would occasionally make uncomplimentary comments about the Rebbe.

Eventually, this chassid met with tremendous disappointment. His son lost interest in Jewish practice and began to forsake his family traditions. Despite his family’s efforts to dissuade him, Jewish practice no longer appealed to him.

This continued for several years. Once, this young man passed through a busy bus terminal. He was approached by a Lubavitcher chassid who invited him to put on tefillin. The young man shrugged. He had no desire to resume this daily practice which he had long forsaken. But the Lubavitcher chassid did not have many “clients” that day, and evidently felt the need to satisfy his sense of mission.

“Perhaps you’ll reconsider,” he coaxed the young man gently. “If you don’t feel like doing it for yourself, then please do it as a favor for me.”

The man’s earnestness struck a chord in the young man’s heart. “O.K.” he agreed. “I’ll do you a favor.” The Lubavitcher was pleased. Much more important than his own sense of satisfaction was the fact that a fellow Jew had taken off a moment from his worldly concerns to develop a connection with his spiritual core.

Before he could assist the young fellow in putting on the tefillin, the young man had donned them himself. His lips were already murmuring the appropriate prayers. “He looks like he knows what he’s doing,” the Lubavitcher thought to himself. He was not unaccustomed to meet people in the street whose outer appearance did not reflect their knowledge of Jewish practice.

Curious, he spoke a little more to the young man who was now more relaxed and ready to talk. This encounter ultimately resulted in the young man’s renewed commitment to Jewish practice.

His father was overjoyed with the turn of events, for he felt that the young man’s commitment was now stronger and more motivated than before. He also felt indebted to the Lubavitchers who had befriended his estranged son. Therefore, although he had been openly critical of the Lubavitcher Rebbe in the past, he now decided to visit him and express his gratitude.

Upon meeting the Rebbe, the Belzer chassid related the events which led to his visit. The Rebbe listened, and replied: “You have experienced both the pain of a father whose son has gone astray and the great joy of his return. I feel similar pain for every Jew who is estranged from Judaism, and I experience similar feelings of happiness when he rediscovers his roots.”