Living Torah Archives

Today, Harvey Milstein is a businessman living in Israel. As a child, however, he grew up in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn where his father owned a pharmacy. While his father was a respected member of the religious community, he still struggled with the idea of closing his business on Shabbos and Jewish holidays. But a letter from the Rebbe finally convinced him to change his mind. (1960)

Those trapped in the Soviet Union face a tremendous test. They have been in a predicament in which there was never a calm moment in matters of Judaism, yet they have never been deterred from their commitment to Judaism.

Ami Pykovski, the proprietor of a large clothing store in downtown Los Angeles, found himself grappling with the idea of closing his store on Shabbos. Torn between his business and a growing commitment to Judaism, he decided to write to the Rebbe. (1980s)

Rabbi Mordechai Gutnick relates that his father, known as a powerful orator, once confided in the Rebbe that he wonders how much he is actually accomplishing with his speeches. The Rebbe’s advice to his father is something Rabbi Gutnick still uses today.

When Shmuel Blizinsky served in the Israel Defense Forces in the early 1950s, he was only able to find twelve religious soldiers on his entire base. As it turned out, the Rebbe was able to find three thousand. (1951)

We live in a time of great freedom and prosperity for Jews. However, we must always keep in mind that it is not the “Strength and might of my own hand which has earned me this wealth,” but rather, “It is G-d’s blessing that brings riches.”