Barely a year has passed since the Biale Rebbe’s last visit to Passaic and West Orange, but it seems like so much more. Dozens of miracle stories have resulted from the Rebbe’s blessings last year, and the sense of wonder and awe that remain with all who met him in Passaic and West Orange continue to buzz within the community. Now, anticipation pulses as Passaic and West Orange residents look forward to seeing the beloved Rebbe again, hearing his golden advice and, above all, glimpsing his loving smile.
What is it about Biale Bnei Brak Rebbe that attracts thousands to him? What propels hundreds of people to stand on line for hours for a meeting with the Rebbe? What makes the democratic congressman from California, Ted Leu, come and see the Rebbe, and what attracts Jewish family members of the presidential candidate Donald Trump to come and get a blessing from the Biale Rebbe?
An esteemed rabbi from California came to see the Rebbe. This rav did not look like a graduate from the Biale yeshiva, and was actually a graduate of Yeshivas Ner Israel. When asked what brought him to Biale, he responded with a story he had shared with his congregation on Shabbos that week.
“Last year, the Rebbe visited with our community. On Sunday I found myself standing at the sidelines watching the throngs of people welcoming the Rebbe and asking for a blessing. Suddenly, I asked myself, ‘What about me?’ Although I am baruch Hashem blessed with several children, my youngest was already five years old and I desperately wanted another son. However, I was really hesitant to approach the Rebbe. After all, its not the ordinary thing for a Yeshivas Ner Israel graduate to do. Still, I decided to try and I wrote a kvittel with the names of my family members and entered the Biale Rebbe’s chambers to receive a bracha. The Rebbe shlita read the names of my wife and me and declared, ‘Don’t worry, you will have another child!’ Baruch Hashem, within a short while we knew that good tidings were ahead and the Rebbe constantly inquired about the wellbeing of my wife. Baruch Hashem, not a year has passed since the Rebbe’s last visit to our community and my entire congregation has already taken part in the simcha of my son’s bris—born as a result of the Rebbe’s bracha.”
A lawyer from Los Angeles told us another incredible story: “I make my livelihood as a lawyer for damage claims. Every year, I need at least one big case, which will provide for my living throughout the entire year. On my last visit with the Rebbe, I complained about this situation and the Rebbe declared, ‘Mr. _____ don’t worry! This year your parnasa will come in a miraculous way.’”
The lawyer continued, “A short while later, a woman came to me with a sorrowful story. Her husband, who was a singer by profession, had a sore throat. The doctor prescribed him medication and sent him on his way. After about a month the pain returned and once again the doctor prescribed him the same medication. When the pain reappeared for the third time, the doctor sent him the prescription via fax without even examining him. Another six months passed and the man was diagnosed with 5th-stage cancer. Not much could be done and the man passed away after a few short months. This is an obvious classic case for a lawyer. I handled the damage claims against the doctor and we reached a decent arrangement, which enabled me to charge a nice sum for my professional services.
“After the court case, I called one of my lawyer friends to thank him for directing this case to me. The lawyer responded with a claim for a big percentage of my earnings. I was dumbfounded by his high claim and offered to meet and discuss it with him.
“The very next day, I met with the lawyer and he exclaimed: ‘Good news for you, bad news for me!’ I had no idea what he was on about. The lawyer proceeded to tell me how he checked all his files and could not find anything about recommending me to this woman. This was getting more and more mysterious.”
He concluded, “I called the woman and this was her story. ‘I was at my beauty parlor in Beverly Hills and I poured my heart out to my hairdresser, telling her about my husband and the doctor. Behind us sat another woman, waiting her turn, and she announced, “I know of an excellent lawyer, his name is_____ and I have his details.”’ Neither I nor the hairdresser has any idea who this woman was, but clearly she was my personal shaliach sent from Heaven to provide me with a living as the Biale Rebbe himself had promised.”
Businessmen attest that since receiving the Rebbe’s blessing their businesses flourished unbelievably. Barren couples had children after many years. People who’d been pursued by the court witnessed wondrous turnabouts. These and more are just a fraction of the miracles that people merited through the Rebbe’s blessings. It is not surprising that hundreds of people flock to the Rebbe’s door, awaiting his advice and blessing.
The Rebbe is renowned for his acts of charity. Widows and orphans in need of assistance know to turn to his address for help. Every erev yom tov, trucks laden with goods are dispatched to provide the needy with everything they might need, including clothing, shoes, meat, fish, goodies and, of course, a hefty check that brings smiles to their faces. Only two months ago, the Rebbe celebrated the wedding of two orphans for whom he had acted as a surrogate father ever since they were orphaned at a young age.
When the day ends in New York, the phones start humming from Israel, with Jews from Israel on the line who need the Rebbe’s blessing and advice. When the Rebbe is in Israel, phone calls come from Los Angeles, New York, Miami and New Jersey, because all Jews are his children. Hundreds of emails arrive at the Rebbe’s secretariat, and the Rebbe devotes time every day to answering the questions that arrive from all corners of the world. He prays for each of them, either in his Beit Midrash, or at holy sites, or at his ancestors’ graves—the Rebbe carries the burden of the whole nation, feeling their sorrow and rejoicing with their simchas. There are seven gabbaim who work around the clock to answer the thousands of questions of people who phone to get a blessing from the Rebbe. Their greatest satisfaction is to tell the Rebbe the good news of another miracle, that a child was born or a couple got engaged due to his holy blessing.
Among the Rebbe’s many attributes is a deep perception in all areas of life. Parents from all parts of the world consult the Rebbe about educational issues. Many times, the Rebbe provides surprising advice that bring about a complete change to the entire household. Homes that were full of strife become happy, peaceful homes. Countless cases of conflict between couples are solved following the Rebbe’s instructions. Even in hopeless circumstances peace is restored, thanks to the Rebbe’s immense investment and intervention.
One of the Rebbe’s “hobbies” is helping singles find their marriage partners. Many single boys and girls and parents of singles come to the Rebbe for his encouragement and blessing. But more than just offer his blessing, the Rebbe actively seeks marriage partners for them. This last summer, the Parkway community residents were invited to an engagement party. Both the chatan and the kallah were already in their 30s. Only the couple knew the real story, that were it not for the Biale Rebbe, this happy occasion would never have happened. It was the Rebbe who encouraged and supported the bond. The Rebbe dedicated countless hours with each person, until finally at 3 a.m. another plate was broken, setting in motion another Jewish home to be built.
Now the residents of Passaic and West Orange can once again merit seeing the Rebbe. During this annual visit, the community of Passaic will be hosting the Rebbe from Tuesday, July 12, through Friday, July 15, at the Lebovits home, located at 14 Dakota Street, Passaic, NJ 07055. From Friday, July 15, through Wednesday, July 20, the Rebbe will be staying at the Rozehzadeh home, located at 19 Roosevelt Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052.
A large crowd is expected at the oneg Shabbat that the Rebbe will conduct this Friday night, Parshat Chukat, July 15, at the Rozehzadeh home beginning at 9:15 p.m. The Rebbe will recite Kiddush in a special nusach, which will surely keep the entire crowd electrified to his holy avodah.
If you are interested in making a personal appointment for the Rebbe’s advice, blessing or guidance, you can do this by phoning his personal English-speaking secretary, Reb Moshe Friedman, at 917-272-4045 or emailing [email protected].
(This article was submitted
by the Biale Institutions of Bnei Brak)
