Once the Rebbe and the Previous Rebbe were discussing the tefillin mandated by the Shimusha Rabba.1 The Previous Rebbe asked the Rebbe if he possessed such tefillin.

The Rebbe replied that he did not and asked the Previous Rebbe whether it was appropriate for him to begin putting them on, for our Rabbis had counseled that only those most fastidious in their observance should put them on.

The Previous Rebbe answered: “For you, every Jewish practice is appropriate,” and promised that he would have them ordered for the Rebbe so that the matter would not be publicized.

(Significantly, years later, with the publication of HaYom Yom,2 the Rebbe publicized the order in which all four pairs of tefillin should be put on.)