Rabbi of Lubavitch's Lesson on Seeing Others
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
The Rabbi of Lubavitch once paused a large gathering to acknowledge a young child, an act that deeply impacted the boy. Years later, the same individual felt unseen during a brief encounter with the Rabbi. Rabbi Yoav Akrish uses these stories and the biblical Abraham to teach the importance of making others feel valued and seen, not just by meeting their needs but by cherishing their presence.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- The Rabbi of Lubavitch paused a large Hasidic gathering to acknowledge a young child.
- A boy felt unseen during a later encounter while receiving dollars from the Rabbi.
- Rabbi Yoav Akrish connects these events to Abraham's hospitality teachings.
- The lecture emphasizes making others feel seen and valued.
- The core message is cherishing someone's presence.
During a gathering of thousands of Hasidim in Purim 1983, the Rabbi of Lubavitch noticed a five-year-old boy who had woken up confused amidst the commotion. Nine years later, the same boy, now a teenager, approached the Rabbi for a dollar distribution. His voice was too weak to be heard clearly, and he left feeling disappointed. This experience, along with other moments of feeling unseen, stayed with him throughout his life, even as he later went on a mission in Germany.
The article connects this personal story to the weekly Torah portion of Vayera, highlighting Abraham's hospitality. It emphasizes the Rambam's teaching that accompanying a guest upon their departure is a significant part of the reward for hospitality, questioning why these shared steps hold such importance.
In a lecture on Vayera, Rabbi Yoav Akrish weaves together the story of Abraham, an anecdote about a gas station attendant who changed someone's life, and two memorable moments with the Rabbi of Lubavitch. The lecture explores themes of relationships, child-rearing, friendship, and the secret to maintaining love even amidst disagreements.
The core message is the importance of not just meeting someone's needs, but making them feel seen, valued, and that their presence is cherished. The article encourages readers to share this sentiment with those who are important to them, letting them know how much they are valued.