In the early 1970s, Rabbi Sholom Ber Lipskar entered a hospital for tests that required general anesthesia. With G‑d’s help, the tests went well. Rabbi Lipskar awoke from the anesthesia, and was to be discharged the following day.

The next morning, Rabbi Lipskar’s wife called. Her husband was sharing a double room, so she was not surprised when his roommate answered. But when his roommate tried to wake him and he did not respond, she became alarmed and hurried to the hospital. When she arrived, she found a team of doctors and nurses surrounding her husband. He had experienced a delayed reaction to the anesthetic, and could not be roused.

Mrs. Lipskar’s immediate response was to call the Rebbe’s office. She spoke to Rabbi Klein, the Rebbe’s secretary, and asked that a message be given to the Rebbe right away. Rabbi Klein transferred her to Rabbi Chodakov, the Rebbe’s personal secretary, who told her to wait on the line.

After a few minutes, he returned and told Mrs. Lipskar that he had a message from the Rebbe … for her husband! Mrs. Lipskar was bewildered. Hadn’t she just told Rabbi Chodakov that her husband was unconscious? Rabbi Chodakov continued, explaining that when he had spoken to the Rebbe, the Rebbe had given him a message for Rabbi Lipskar, and had insisted that it be communicated to him directly.

Without questioning, Mrs. Lipskar told the doctors around her husband’s bed that there was an urgent telephone message for him. To humor her, the doctors paused in their treatment and allowed her to put the phone next to her husband’s ear.

“Reb Sholom Ber!” Rabbi Chodakov called.

“Yes,” murmured Rabbi Lipskar.

“You sound a little weak,” Rabbi Chodakov commented. “I have a message from the Rebbe for you.” Rabbi Chodakov proceeded to tell Rabbi Lipskar that Dr. Yirmeyahu Branover, who had just been released from Russia, was scheduled to speak in Winnipeg, Canada. Since Rabbi Lipskar originally came from Toronto, he probably had some contacts in Winnipeg. “Can you help make Dr. Branover’s visit more successful?”

Rabbi Lipskar promised to do what he could and hung up. He then looked around, startled to find doctors and nurses all around his bed.

Why were they all staring at him that way?