Ep. 61: Living In The Rebbe & Rebbetzin's Apartment Building with Rabbi Chaim Levi Goldstein

And the Reba asked me, "Do you learn every day?" So I looked for the closest hole to jump in. A 14-year-old little I wasn't a big learner. And I I had to be honest. So the Reb said, "A ready 14 should be learning every day." But I know my older brother Yitzk told me when he heard that it gave him a big push and he was extra careful. >> There's an often overlooked element and way to connect to the Reba and this is something that's supposed to be done on a routine basis. I'm referring to the giving of MMD. Mid is one of the pillars of Iskash and you can stay tuned later on in the episode to hear more about it and how you can be a part of it. I'm Yasi Cayman. Welcome to among an ongoing faban about life as a vibrant connection with the Reba and inspired living shaped by the way he teaches us each and every day. Shalom. Ra Goldstein. How are you? >> Okay. Thank you for being here. You're you're a big part of my life besides besides being a part of everyone's life through um the the living sedra and mikra and various other endeavors the the tapes you have tape. Right. Besides that, I was also your Talmud in first grade in Ala. So it's uh it's I think that it's been a while since we had a long conversation a few years. So first of all let's just start off. I know your name used to be Ley and now your name is so what's that about Levy? >> Yeah. >> Maybe you could tell me about that. >> Well I wasn't conscious when I got the name. This was six years over six years ago during COVID. I was uh I merited to be the first kronites patient to be brought to the emergency room during COVID right after Purim the Sunday after. And I woke up it was already kmite pes and I said when's pes and they said it happened already. >> Wow. And they didn't want to tell me right away that they changed my name. But they found someone in Australia who still had his shul open. And by Monday morning, they were able to change from Ley to Levy. And when they later broke the news to me, they said, "Do you do you mind?" I said as long as it's not like tadres or something like that is a good name I like it >> right >> so since then became ley >> okayavis >> amen >> so let's start from the beginning when you were named Ley when you were born so uh you you're who you named after well my father was a schlak in New Haven at the time 1952 and he was working for me and one of the co-workers was Relville Shieldra Alabashan. So my first brother is Zarak named after family. Next one is Shalom. Next one was my father wanted to give from the he was born right after the but my father's name is so he gave the third one the name comes to me number four what do we name him and velv gave the idea how about calling after the father's the father's name so he couldn't call me Ley because my older brother was already so I got the name Ley >> Ley. Okay, good. So you mentioned your father. So why don't we step back a little bit and I want to hear a little bit about your father. Everyone knows Uncle Yasi um both from the I know it was originally the radio show all all those stories >> and also records. and the records everyone knows tapes I grew up on it and uh hakinik march all of that >> but there's a lot we actually had in the once extensive article based on that that he he wrote and he said and there's a lot there so maybe you could tell me a little bit about your father and how he ended up in 770 and we're not going to get everything because we could do a whole podcast just on him but uh tell me a a little bit about him. >> My father was born in Providence, Rhode Island. He was born 1927. A short time before that was arrested. He was born was arrested. My grandparents didn't know anything about at that time although they were fully religious. In fact, there were the only Shabas in town and a lot of rebis would pass through Providence. They would they would pass and come into his house, my Zadi's house. They know this is a kosher place. And they they used to call him Mos the Sham Shabas. >> He's from Europe. >> He's from Romania. >> Romania. Okay. and his wife came from Anipala from Ukraine. She wasn't born there. She was born in America. >> Really? >> Yeah. Her par parents came from Ukraine. >> Okay. >> Actually, she w she was descendant of the the one who alb came used to come to his house. He was very close with him. And a short time after Alterba made the new the new writing for Parius and say called the Alterav a short time after that he came to Anipoll and Alba saw him writing this Nuke said where did you get it from? He says told me that there's a new accepted in heaven, a new writing and he wants to have these new par and I have to have it ready for him for >> he says that's why I wasn't able to give you much attention when you came. This what I'm telling you is printed and safer at the very end a letter to Rabbi Greenlass and in the footnotes it has the story which originates from Yaga publication one of those uh publications. Anyhow, getting back to our generation, it was 1929, the big crash, the depression. My Zeda sent the kids to public school like everyone did. There was no H yes then. The rabbi's son also went to public school, but they used to go with their yamoka. One day my saw that his oldest son Israel was not wearing his yamaha. He says, "What's this about?" See, he says, "Well, the rabbi son took it off. So, I'm doing the same." It was then and there that my zeda, my grandfather decided this is not a place to raise kids. And he heard that in New York in Burough Park there are yeshivas. were packing up. He had a printing business in those days. Go sell a business during the depression. He sold it. He sold it for pennies. Just enough money to have carfair to bring the family. Brought them >> to uh to Borough Park. Enrolled them in Titus Semis. >> Teras. >> Titus Semis and Borough Park. Who was running the show in Burough Park? Robbie Jacobson. Uh there were a few lab there Simpson >> I don't know if he was he was in Bora Park but in terms I think it was Rabi Jacobson was the principal and I said then who was your teacher he says Rabbi Zmanov Zmanov Rabi and one day Rab Zmanov picked himself up he's not teaching anymore what happened the fleet declare came to Brooklyn to to America and he wanted to be in Crown Heights whatever but he had uh >> Phil opened up yeah whatever my father was my father didn't go there yet >> right okay >> about two years later it's 1942 he finally made it he came to semi how do you find out because of these labavatures who were teaching and running the school terrace and that's where Rabbi Simpson's boys were learning that's where everyone went was no mim then when he came gets onto the train the new lot train no one knows what that is today number three and he's looking for 770 he knows it's Eastern Parkway he gets off by Eastern Parkways he's a sign in the train station. Get out. He sees a big massive building. This is Lavich. He didn't know that was actually the museum. It's It's interesting. It's a common mistake. I've heard this from other people that the first time they came to the Reba, they got off at Eastern Parkway. Eastern Parkway. Yeah. It's the wrong stop. And he came to 770 and he told me when he walked in to 770 he saw the freed for the very first time there was some kind of messa gathering connection with Mishna because the made a whole thing about studying Mishna. they want to take part in it and it was like a maum or kuca or something was going on finishing all mishna or and then he he became the 770 boy that means rabbi barel kaskkin one of the helpers of the kabba said to him you're American boy you can speak English you'll be in charge of 770 Many people come they they ask questions like a policeman comes or a mailman. There was it's not like there were a thousand people there. There were barely a half a million there. I mean there was no one there. So he said we'll give you a room to sleep in 770. And he slept for a while in a room that's called Evad Raskin's room. Another period he slept downstairs where later they made it into the bath toilet. That means the one on the ground from near the elevator and he was a big helper for the things they the waiter who would serve the freed my father would was there and didn't eat much so and they would give it to my father maybe to bring to the kitchen whatever and my father would take it downstairs and share it out with the bak a piece the bread, the soup, whatever. When my father or in 1946, they needed someone in Rochester to help out the over there who was running a school and they needed a and someone to help to teach. So the called my father in I found out about this later in the recent years cuz wine garden wineart wrote a book called something like that >> and he's preparing the next book in the next book it says here is from yul goldstein in this and this time the freed and whatever said to He sent him off. He said, "We need for a few weeks like two weeks or three, I don't remember how long should be there." He went to Rochester. I think it was hilman I think was was the there from Chicago. After a few weeks, my father said, my father used to tell me that they used to have to chop wood because it was freezing in the place and they had to go schle and this it was very >> very difficult circumstances but he was there for a few weeks and he was happy that he did his and he took takes his bags and goes back home. Short time after that he gets a very sharp letter from the fitba mua noatam why did you leave you're supposed to always obey command and you don't do things on your own you have to be devoted and very sharp letter and from now on do only what you're told like very strict like in the army you don't play around he knew someone told him it's for two weeks or in the beginning >> they told him. Yeah. The father told me it was just a temporary thing, >> right? >> And he finished his term, >> right? >> And went back. He didn't he did it innocently. >> Mhm. >> So, and uh there's a few there's a bunch of interesting things from your father. We read the article. There's interesting interesting things that he observed at the for example. What's not so famous which I like telling people is that the whole idea that we say on a day there's no we say as part of >> right >> so we have a whole tear from your father he yeah >> how he he was by I think upstairs in the room yes >> there's a minion and he said it was revealed to that day they don't say >> you say >> yeah I'm these amazing amazing things that he observed by >> um so after Rochester sister. So he stayed there for a while and then so >> then he came back. >> Mhm. >> And he got married 1946. >> He got married >> my birthday in H. >> Ho. That's right. >> I remember as a kid I look at the mad I saw that date. >> It was my birthday. >> Nice. >> So he got married and then and then he went to New Haven. >> Not right away. He was in a few places. He was in Providence. He was a in Springfield. And and then when I was born, 1952, he was ach. lived in Par Bor Park on 14th Avenue and then we moved into the house on New York and President Street 346 New York Avenue where the Reba was living on the fourth floor and we lived on the second floor. So tell me about that. That was an experience even though I was a little kid then. But I remember we used to run over to the window to watch the come to watch the go. The is coming is going. It was like an excitement. I'm number four of the kids and my sister was born. My only the sister after me was four years after me almost four years. So I was the fourth boy for a long time. And we used to play for bangan. One used to imitate he's khadikov standing on the side. He used to have his hand on the side like standing. Another one was raik. And >> this is the games that the kids that you guys are playing. >> Yes. My older brother >> by the way and used to play. This is this is a tradition. >> Yeah. My older brothers, older brothers who were like four, five, six, they used to play in front of the house with their bicycles. When the Rebu would come, the Rebu would give them attention either make with his hand that they should sing. Um, my father told me that he noticed that when the Reb would leave to 770, if you were outside, you could see the Rebbitson standing by the window and watching him cross the street. And after the Reb crossed New York Avenue, the Rebbitson the Reb would look up to her, turn around about face and wave to her >> every time. >> Wow. >> Yeah. >> The Reb would walk down New York to East Parkway. >> He would walk down president. >> And president. >> President. Yeah. >> Wow. Um, were there other interactions that uh your parents or had with the with the Reba and the and the Rabbitson when they were living there? >> Yes. Yes. Yes. My my mother told me it was once a forbrining and Rebson wanted to go home. She was there. She was where she was in 770 probably by her sister while the reba's forbranging and my mother was by that where was probably upstairs the small sh in the zal and she says to my mother it's late maybe we can walk together and they walked home I said what did you talk about as I was too scared >> no >> but my parents used to share with the rabbits and if someone was born or things going on, there were interactions. My mother, if I remember correctly, the details came down the the Reb came down from his apartment through the elevator. The Reb walks out. He sees my mother standing with a package. It look like she's carrying groceries, whatever. So the Reba held the elevator open. It was actually a bag of garbage she was taking out. But to be a gentleman, the Reb waited for her. So she went quickly into that >> elevator. Yeah. >> My father told me the Rebi used to go into the apartment. He used to jump up the stairs like a deer. >> Like two at a time. >> I don't know the details. He said he's mama should run run up the stairs. >> So the rabbi didn't take the elevator himself. >> I don't know. >> Yeah. Um and then so you were born. >> Yeah. >> You said and when did the So the the >> was when I was in a haven. >> Right. And but the rabb and the rabbit only lived there. >> He lived there only a few years. >> Yeah. like till tough. >> No, I mean not a few I don't remember which year they moved. Maybe they moved in the 40s. >> No, no, I'm saying to the pres to to their house on present day. >> They moved to their new house like after a year that we were there, >> right? I think like your dalled I think I think they moved to that house. >> My father tells me one time he came home. It was a stormy wintry night and my father's walking to the apartment building and with his collar covered over like picked it up and suddenly she hears someone calling by the Reb's name he takes a look the Rebbitson is call using the Reb's second name and he should picked up his oh it's not it looked like was you know some Reb used to walk >> Yeah. Like that there's a video but by the collar. >> Yeah. >> Wow. Your father also did like um this I don't know if this is chronologically the right order. Your father started the photography thing. >> My grandfather My grandfather is very much into >> Your grandfather >> My grandfather his his father >> Yeah. very much into recording things, keeping things. It should stay. >> Okay. >> In Hebrew it's called that should stay on pictures. >> But your your father took videos of the Reb. No. >> Yeah. Took from the Reb, took from the family was very much into >> video. >> Yeah. Into memor making things memorable. It's true. >> So I think like some of the famous clips I think >> Yeah. the s >> my father provided the loudspeaker for the fabbrangan in the holes I don't know maybe also when it was in 770 and I remember the tape recorder exactly and the microphone that I used to hold >> right and then uh so I guess that stayed in the family like your brother Shan took to all these videos >> yes >> um so when the reb moved to um his house on President Street. You have memories that you you guys were still living there. So, do you have memories from the Reba from then or >> Absolutely. I there's something I will never ever forget. Right next door to the Reb's house was the bus and they had a kindergarten in the basement. When I turned probably four years old, my mother enrolled me in that kindergarten. There was no Babach Shiva kindergarten in those days. Babish Shiva first grade if you're 5 years old you can go into Babach Shiva Bedford and Dean. >> Mhm. >> But there was no kindergarten. Ala didn't even exist then. So my mother enrolled me in that kindergarten and she she used to walk me from 346 New York Avenue right near the Debb's house when we were lucky and the Reba was coming out of the house. I was to get the waving to me and smiling >> and something that you remember. >> Yeah. Can't forget that. >> Oh no. Okay. And um so you had your upsh and you're growing up right next to the kindergarten. Um in general what was the so what was the atmosphere amongst the kids in in70 saying you you' go to fabian like what was going on then? >> Yeah was for us a nice uh >> how many kids were there? >> Not many not many. It was the Goldstein family, Bulisovski family, Lipker family, a few a few more families. It was like >> So now a few >> Yeah. We used to go into the FBI, run out, play, come back in, and uh someone just reminded me a few days ago, I forgot who. Oh yeah, there's a guy who used to live in Crown Heights. His brother has a shul in Woodburn. He's called the the Nichollsburg. So his brother, I met him over there. He says, "Ah, I remember the Fabrangans." And he said, "The Rebi used to by singing was louder than the whole." I remember that too. I was all the way in the back and you heard the Reb sing I used to hear it that was so loud. Yeah. You can you can hear the on the tapes later years the Reba would start the niggan sometimes but rarely would sing but the early years would I mean that whole series they're mainly from the early years you know when the you could hear the singing. So you remember that. Um, you also remember the AB's mother I'm assuming. >> Yeah, I had a few encounters with her. >> Maybe you could share that with me. >> When we were with kids, I followed the the crowd. That means my older brothers and they used to run to Rabbi Sahana's house to hold the door open. Sahana lived next door to what's called 1414, the Baham's dormatory. It's the second building from the corner. 1418. >> 1418. That's where she lived on the ground floor. And the doors were maybe from 1800, I don't know, but a big heavy massive doors to push it open. You need a lot of strength. So whenever we knew that was coming or Khan is coming, we would run and hold the door open for them and we'll get a dank. And I remember when the Rebi used to BL used to accompany Rabbana and Yantiff from his room after Davening Rabbit Sahana would come to Davening. They had a special seat in the ladies section and then she would come up to the Reb's room be there a short time and the Reb would open the door with her and the Reb is holding her with it by the arm and walking her to the door the entrance of 770 and then rabbits and menik and rabbits cats I think they're sisters >> used to take her side by side and walk her home and the rebu would watch her go until she turned into Kingston Avenue. When you can't see her anymore, the Reb turned back and went into his room as was like religiously always the cover that he gave for his mother. So when we saw her them coming, I ran ahead to open up the door and I held it open and she would come in and I'll get a thank you dying cuz one time I got a pad on my shoulder. >> Yeah, I still feel it. >> Your mom you were like a little kid then. >> Yeah, I was maybe 8 years old. A little kid. No, wasn't and wasn't there um there was something I think I remember that uh they were saying who you guys are >> the Reb and once commented about >> who said it >> I don't remember >> okay >> these are the grandchildren of Mrs. winter of the winter cuz the winters were very close with the with the and then the >> there are letters from the fried in 1943 to my that I see from that my grandparents got in Pittsburgh when they were living there that's my mother's parents encouraging them I just saw I discovered recently three letters which should publicized me as hashem. one letter the freed writes to my grandfather winter that I understand that you work very hard and you come last minute Friday and says don't come to your house last minute you must come a few hours earlier because your kids will see how much you respecting Shabas will have an influence on them a nice beautiful letter it's printed in the in the in the safice in the sorry it's printed in the mill of the last there's that letter there a year that's tavis that's in the month of tavis a year later there's another letter You must take upon yourself to be home getting ready for shabas at least two around two hours before shabas very strict very much and uh then I see a letter like maybe half a year later or something I'm happy to hear that you're you're coming on time and my and my had a miracle because he was listening he listened to the freed the KBA and he left the place early. He had a big miracle. That place had a hurricane or a tornado and hundreds of people got killed. They're harmed, injured and he was that's the place he would usually be at that time. >> Friday afternoon. >> Yeah. At that at that time. But he the says have to come back early. >> Wow. >> Misha saved his life. I remember I don't remember the but there was told to call somebody. It was out of Shabas and the Reb said it's out of Shabas a few hours before Shabas a yid you could find him in his house out of Shabas right before Shabas. So you call call him in his home such a story. >> Yeah. >> Beautiful. Okay. So the saying is winter's >> there's a letter. So what happened >> with me >> when they said that this is winter's >> time to identify us they said they saw us by the door >> wasn't there an addition is gulin >> maybe it was another time yeah I also remember something like that vague you know you're talking about >> did I've identified you okay >> 100 years ago like there's a letter in the tolman in Chicago and the writes to him, you don't know what to do with the youth. Let me tell you, there are two winter sisters in Pittsburgh who make mass shabas. There's a girl Yehudis in New York in Crown Heights makes a shabas party. There are young kids via Gabb says one is 11, one is 13 or something and you don't know what to do. Hm. >> That's mashabas, which I think we'll get to that soon because you have something to do with that. >> My mother would all her years she would make she would she would do it at home, call neighbors in. >> Yeah, that was the whole thing. That was that was one of the first in America. >> Okay. So, let's go back to you a little bit. So um so you started going to Bedford in Ind. I'm assuming at a certain point >> when I was five >> five years old >> I turned five in El and I was enrolled in first grade. I had Rabbi Bernstein in the second grade I had Rabbi Marlo. >> I remember when I was in your class I think it's um so you hung up a picture of of Rabi Marlo teaching. You had a a photograph of Oh yeah. >> of him teaching. I think you might have been in the picture. Yeah, >> we have a class photograph with him. >> No, there was like he was like in he was like teaching I think in the middle of teaching or something. >> I don't remember some something some picture was hanging in the classroom. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> But he taught what? He taught the second grade. >> He taught Kesh or Kaidesh. Kaidesh. In the afternoon he taught. Okay. >> Grade one. So you went >> I went the first graf I went to Rabbi Bernstein and that's it and we used to go home in the afternoon. Kabay instead of going home I used to sit in Rabbi Marlo's class for the afternoon where he taught us how to count fat 5 10 15 20 25 30 like basic stuff that was the English that we learned but then my parents pulled me out of English the whole none of us learned they asked about it >> yeah my mother told me inas she asked asked the Reba and the Reba no one should go to English except for one of my brothers, one of my siblings who had a zitles was difficulty to sit you know he needed variety for whatever reason the say he can go didn't get much out of it but so but you had but but I was one of those that discouraged and so we used to have an afternoon class was someone a was a he took care of a class. Rabbi Tanam had a afternoon class. Ah okay. Um what are some other things that you remember like from your early years like you remember the the rabbi teaching the >> Yeah. Yeah. I I don't remember that. Well, I remember my mother bringing me to the where did where the rebba where did we go and the back of the the whole sh was very small then the downstairs sh so the rebba is all the way up front and we were by where they have steps going up Now you know which steps I mean the little steps that go up and go to the wherever's office is, >> right? That was in the out that was outdoors. >> It was was no we came in the ladies were in the back there. It was such a small crowd that the ladies used to be able to be there when the Fbrangas were in the little zal. The ladies used to be by the windows from outside on watch and I if I'm not mistaken maybe in this in the sheni in the second small room maybe in any case so I remember standing there and they would seeing the sham's niggan repracticing because the rebba taught it. So this is already the next day. >> Yeah. >> So when the reb wasn't there? No told him to to sing it again. >> I think that was the I think by the rabb in the morning and they would sing it. They would sing it again. I think that's the way it worked. >> So you remember that >> you remember that scene you see all in the back of the >> Wow. Um and then you remember the other nonoso. >> Yeah, I remember I remember uh who you remember the teaching. >> Yeah, was holding a sitter. >> This is already downstairs in the in the show in front of I think it was by Kadesh. I don't remember. >> S was holding a sucking in. >> Okay. So you're in bedin and uh but so you mainly saw the raba on chambas I imagine >> and if we're lucky in the school bus going on Brooklyn Avenue Brooklyn Avenue was going the other direction going instead of from Eastern Parkway to Empire Boulevard was going Empire the other direction the traffic going north. So we used to pay a nickel to the bus driver. Was he a bus driver? His name was Pearlstein. We used to ask him to coordinate that we should be when the Reb is going some somehow. And we used to look out of the window. We used to sing and the Reb would hear us and the Reb would make with his hand that we should sing while walking. >> Yeah. Wow. So this was uh >> this is exclusive reba for you. >> Yeah. It's amazing. >> I also had exclusive reba for shabas time. >> That that was in your that was later when you were both >> that was Yeah, it was already. >> So I want to get to that. I just go I'm just going chronologically. So let's I guess let's move on to >> Yeah. And um and then you had subsequent. >> Yeah. >> Was there anything from >> a few times we had only a few as a bak to go alone >> right about your birthday? >> Yeah. >> So was there anything you want to share from those? >> Well, I took my father's tapes that he has and I transferred it into digital. He has a lot of lot of stuff family stuff a lot of stuff and interviewing us ley what happened in for mitzvah and I would say what the deba said to me the brahas and everything really >> I don't remember it but I heard it while I was just recently transferring and I would say what the said don't ask me now I forgot already >> that's a amazing >> has a whole story that >> never forgot the think >> because his grandmother would ask him >> he because she reminded him. >> Yeah. >> He remembered the he was mish little kid I think. Yeah. >> Yeah. So when I was turned 14 that was the first time that I went alone you go with the parents >> right and the asked me do you learn every day? So, I looked for the closest hole to jump in. 14-year-old little I wasn't a big learner and I I had to be honest. So, the Reb said already 14 should be learning every day. >> No. >> Like, did I carry it out 100%? But I know my older brother Yitzk told me when he heard that it gave him a big push and he was extra careful. >> It's interesting you know that I don't know about what's going on today but when I was 14 I think most people at least in my circle did learn Yeah. But you have to remember that we're coming on many years of of the I'm saying you you were getting it fresh. You know that that a 14-year-old is expected. Very interesting. >> Okay. So you learned you're learning in bed for until when? >> Till. Okay. >> The talent was my last year. Rab was and then moved to Flatbush. >> Okay. >> But I I already went off to Binois. >> Didn't you go to Montreal? >> I went for a try out. I didn't like it and I was pushed to go and it came raash and my mother says no you're staying you have to stay the Allah doesn't give the to come in you have to stay I'm not going to miss the no way so I I didn't obey I took my things I borrowed money and got onto a bus and came to Crown Heights >> for >> for Yeah. And that was just when there were the I remember there was was some construction going on in 770 and we had because of that you were able to have a perfect spot right near the Kaidesh and the everything was so much closer because we didn't have the whole shatak the whole area we just had the small so I had to break the news to my mother that I'm here but right how do you do My brother Yitzka came up with an idea. He brought me to a place called H Bakery. Only the old-timers know what it is. >> That's Albin Bakery. >> The Albany Bakery was across the street where now is Apple Bank, >> right? >> Used to be a bakery. And it was two partners, Fuks and Hawk. >> I'm not so old. I remember that bakery. >> You remember it? >> Nice to go by Shambas. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I have a story with Kalis too from from Okay, so we'll get to that in a second. >> And he says, "Let's buy something from mommy." And we got these little honey nuts that they make for Sha put it into a box and like with with an apology or something and it said, "You're here. You're here. She's not going to throw me out." That was the appeasement. Yeah. H we used to call Albany Bakery. Okay. Hux Bakery. >> Yeah. Um, so that's so you you didn't go back you didn't go back to Montreal after that? >> I did. I think after afterwards I went back after state I went back >> but I came back to Crown Heights. I I just didn't like it there. >> Yeah. Okay. What was the story with the Kalis? I will put in one more thing before that. There was a time maybe I was 14 then I was turning 15 whatever I was I was very upset what's going on if I'm in this is yeshiva that yeshiva and I knew what do you do when you have a problem you write to the reb went into the office of Rabbi Klein Rabbi Grooner I said can you give me a paper pencil or whatever and I sat down by the wooden steps in the Reba's waiting room, the Ganak and I wrote to the what's on my heart and I don't want to go back to that school what to to Montreal and I gave it in. A short time later calls me over into his room. He says, "Tell me what's going on." It seems like the Reb says, you know, "Take care of him. find out what's the problem. >> We had a discussion and that was it. >> So you didn't get an answer from the but >> that was probably the answer. >> Wow. >> Otherwise, how did he know that I had issues? >> Right. Right. So was like the >> Yeah. Messenger. >> The messenger. Yeah. Interesting. >> Okay. >> So >> So I was once standing Friday afternoon >> like when you were a kid. >> No, when I was a bach. >> Okay. Friday, Friday afternoon, I'm standing in front of 770. It was 3:00. I remember what time it was. I was already 770 Ber and a van pulls up in front of 770. It was H bakery with two big bags of kala. Can you please bring it upstairs to uh for garari? I said, sure. I took the two bags, come upstairs, I knock on the door and kana, that means Mrs. Gari answered the door. I said, "This is from the bakery. They asked me to deliver it." She looks at the bag and she says, "Yeah, this one, but this one is so goes to my sister on President Street." I took a deep breath. who's gonna go to the to the king's palace? And she saw I was hesitating. She says, "What's the problem? When I was your age, I would do favors." She didn't realize what why I'm taking a deep breath. She says, "You know what?" I said, "Like I'm a little uncomfortable." So, she says, "You know what? Just put it in the back porch and I'll tell my sister to find it there." I take the bag down with me. says, "I can't go to the back porch." It's it's what what you know I think now what was so scary about it but >> but >> so I saw >> explain >> it it's it's not something you can explain it's just an awe like taking you into who wants to step in there I was thinking many times if one day the Liberian bar 11 says Ley, I'm giving you a treat today. I'm bringing you into the insides of the library. You can see DB's books and where his handwritings are. I probably would would refuse. 99% sure I would refuse. Would I regret it later? Probably too. It's It's like a certain awe. Anyhow, I'm standing in front of with this bag. I know I have errand to do. And I see a friend of mine Barlabkovski. He's now a Russian. So I said, "Do you mind coming with me? I need some support." And we walked over and we put it down in the back and we ran like from fire. Uhhuh. Okay. So you you said that you said you ended up going to BWA. So how did how did that happen? How did that happen? I wasn't that interested in learning at that point. I was seven, just turned 17 and my parents wanted me to find a more decent place and my mother said a friend of hers has a kid in Binois and it's so nice over there. >> That was a common thing that the American >> very not common very uncommon but there were a few individuals that sent the kids out. How about going to France? Okay. I wasn't forced into it. I accepted it. Okay, we'll go. Made a passport and came to Binois. I was there for 4 years. >> Yeah. under Ahmed Rabnissenf Goldberg Abser and all the other guys in the Kovski. I had the whole real crew. The real I came there. It was like all the things I ever pictured is the city of Labavich and the way they dive in and the way no Yiddish was only Yiddish there. There's no not French, not English. Later the English boys came and French boys and other languages. So I spent four years there and um Rebniss made a big change in me. Did a very big favor. He saw I was not learning well. I wasn't uh utilizing the opportunity and I wonder where he got the idea from whether it's his own idea or he consulted with the I don't know but one day he comes to me and he says you're going to teach a younger group of kids. Who was it? Shalom Bumgarten, the one from JCM. Arina Vogel, the one who works for 770. Yu Rascin from England. And Mendelan, I think he lives on Carol Street, Crown Street somewhere. Shh. You're going to teach them what? Kamar. Unfortunately, I I I I wasn't yet capable of even myself understanding um even I was 17. As a matter of fact, when I came into the base of madrish the first time, I see the commiss brothers, the twins who later became my brothers-in-law. I see them sitting with a katas, already learning katas, and they were just about 13, 14 years old. I'm barely breaking my teeth on on the Mishna and the anyhow sur gave me a job to do and I love teaching that's something as a kid I loved sharing teaching telling stories was part part of me but how I'm going to do it I broke my head and I worked and I worked and I was able to give over the Mishna then I gave over the gar and I took with Mafar Harshim explained and for quite a while I was teaching them. I think I got paid. I think so. I don't remember for sure. Probably I did and it was a big big game changer for me. >> It's amazing story. >> Yeah. >> Meaning you're not supposed to be teaching kids >> right >> that they saw you having a listen or we don't know where he got the idea from. >> Right. make you give you responsibility and that's what and also using out your talents. >> Yeah, >> I guess it was recognized they have that talent. Use out that talent in order to get you motivated to be >> right. >> Very very nice. >> Okay. So um so that's what you did. You're in Mwah. So what what was the four years in Mora? What what was the the relationship uh to New York and with I'm saying why? >> I sent mid every month a$144. Why? Because every week 36 cents. >> Okay. And I would get letters back from the Reba receipts like like saying the scabel the this I received a letter with the I don't remember exact not too many times but I got a few times. So that's something that you wouldn't get if you're in New York. >> No. Yeah. She there for four four years and you ended up coming back to 770 to learn. >> I came when I came back I went to we learned first. >> Mhm. >> Kovski was there was there and we got Rabbi Mandler Rabbi whoever Picarski. When it comes to be connected and to be to theb there are various ways we do this learning the fulfilling's instructions and much more. There's one aspect is which is sometimes overlooked which is called mid. Throughout the last few months, we've been highlighting various kones, various funds that the Reb established that it is a good idea to participate in them and the Reb encouraged the participation of every one of us on special occasions and in certain times of the years. But there are two elements and two ways of giving money to the Reb that's supposed to be done on a regular basis. One is demean the money that is given to the Reb when a pan is written and the other one is mid. There's an ancient tradition dating back to the times of the alterba where would give routine money to the rebba sometimes once a week sometimes every month different schedules and the idea of the mid is is that it is money to be used at the rebba's discretion for what the rebba sees fit and it is explained by various most predominantly by the also by theb as well that the idea of the mid is something that we give in order to be part of the work because all of the reba's work is something that every single should be doing but if we are not we can participate in the expense of those things there's a lot more to discuss regarding the importance of mid and how much of a central role it plays is inabis. Um this is something that the specifically stipulated very interestingly that after gimlamos mid should continue. Before the reb would take the money for the and give it to the central mist and the rabbi said that the same should be done after giml. This is something that every single can participate in. The amount is not so important or not as important. It is the effect of routinely giving mid which can be done at magbis.org m agbbitis.org through clicking the tab for mid. This is an important an integral part of our escashas and is something that if one has not been doing so till now can start now or if they have done so in the past and have neglected it something they could routinely do and through this can remain and strengthen the connection of every to theb. So you mentioned before the miv shabas. So is this when you started doing shabas >> in the in the early >> when you were >> when I was a tell me about the what's the what's going on with >> my brother used to run at my older brother. This is something going on from the fikas times mashab or like >> I don't know but I know my my older brother used to make mash shabas and I think it was tough bay he went to England and he said ley take over >> and I said what am I supposed to do he says you just print papers put it up like shabas this time there and whenever there was no fbrangan Then we had a receiver Shabas and I said, "What do I do for Nash?" Says, "Go to Rabbi Klein." Binyama Klein and he'll sponsor it. >> So this is like a this is like a Arab Indian Rab Klein's paying for paying for it. >> He would take out of his pocket $6 and that was today it's barely for one bag of potato chips, >> right? >> But then we're able to buy a nice amount of Nash. And where did we have the Msiba Shabas on 7-Eleven Eastern Parkway? That's right near Brooklyn Avenue. Cross the street across Eastern Parkway. That's the kind that was the K. >> That used to be it's a second house from the corner. You it was called Kul and Mikvah and that was the mikvah that everyone went to. And I heard the Reb went to that mikvah. I don't know how much how many times but he went and the bonus was that would go home around 2:30 from 770 and we were smack in the middle of our shabas party our miba shabas so we got the idea I don't know maybe it was my brother's idea whatever as soon as we see the reba coming from the distance we opened up the window and the window was not a small window. It was a very large window and everyone can be standing by the window and we would sing on the top of our voices. The kids would scream whatever is whatever the capital of that year. I think that's what we sing. And the Reb would look >> from across the street. >> From across the street, >> right? And smile to us, make with his hands, encourage the singing. How do we know the Reb is coming? We appointed a watchman, a kid, right? >> He would he would stay there and watch. And u one time he missed. He didn't the reb went and later murder came to me says the rebba kept on looking and the kept on >> naggle he was walking >> naggle would accompany the rebba >> okay >> he said the rebba was looking and looking waiting for it what happened >> missed it so that was exclusive for us we had the rabbi no one in the world had a little group of kids with the bak We had the didn't you um didn't you do like later all the years later? >> When you were later when um in the mems cat rabbi katson got involved and he started to make it more often even by fangans he would take them upstairs in the zal and make sashabast but you also did it. No, I he I gave it over to him. Whatever. >> Okay. >> It wasn't anymore the way it was. Maybe it was after that it wouldn't go anymore. I don't remember, but somewhere around there. I do remember that I wanted very much to bring the MBA shabas from that shaw to 770. Let's do in the in the small z the why can't we do it in the small z the bak are not learning then shabas afternoon but I knew we need to get permission you have to speak by I'm going to speak to who am I so I went to I said I want to make the mibash shabas here in in the small z can you please speak on my behalf to uh to get it to get it here says to me why don't you speak says I'm just a he says you're not the one speaking shabas is speaking >> it's a good it's a good uh life lesson >> yeah the mab such a smart idea. Oh, so I'm assuming I because I saw later when we went over I don't remember was right away >> you did. Um was there any um from the rabbis? Yeah, once in I don't remember which one the was giving me and he says and for the shabas and I don't think I wrote anything to >> you never wrote to the about it. I didn't maybe I wrote something in the past but yeah >> amazing. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So this is uh when did you get married? >> So your wife is from is back from Benois. >> My wife is from Bwa. Yeah. So you got married there. >> No, I got married here. >> Okay. Um, so maybe talk to me a little bit about the >> Yes. So after I got smika was gimlish I think I got smika I had to go up to the toag to raigari and get a paper and someone had to fill in the cyher had to fill in the name and then you bring it and get a signature from every picarski and ment can't remember who else I think two signatures. Used to be three. I don't remember who's the third one. Anyhow, and I was I turn I just turned 24. My parents asked me if I'm interested to go to France to meet someone. So I asked the Reba and I said wrote my parents wrote answered So I went to Abdrasin and he said you should see to accomplish there also like do do things when I came there to meet Knessan this girl it's very interesting Nissen I came there I was there for a few days comes over to me he says I want to talk to you privately says I have an idea for you know, Rabbi Klesson has a daughter. >> So I I I I let him in the secret. >> He took a >> I said that's where I came from. >> Also, Mrs. Lovski, that's iss I I may believe I don't know anything. lady, she comes. That's the one I was. Okay. So, a lot of people apparently was a good in >> But you but you ended up coming back to New York. I'm saying you got to you got engaged over there. >> Yeah. Made there for I have a recording of the whole and we even have a video. How could a gold scene have without a video of the >> Yeah, see all the the put this video out. It's probably interesting. >> Now it's on my Google Drive. >> You have to release it. >> By the way, if you go to time.com >> Mhm. >> you'll see one folder is called Ribnissen. And over there you have you have his Fbrangans. >> That's your website. >> Yeah. You have over there uh from that heist forens a lot of stuff from recorded. >> Yeah. So tell me about uh but so you got you got married in New York. The house is in New York. >> Yeah. And we got married Zion Tamuz. And that was not an official date for the that the Reb would go to the ayam, right? And I was supposed to come at a certain time to pick up the sitter from the Reb to get from the Reb, the sitter. And the Reb would say and you know, you should give a >> givea whatever. Suddenly I I find out that the is going to the we came to 770. Rabbi Groner says here's the sitter. Theba asked me to give it to you as a and uh so I used the sitter for dabining. I I was disappointed that I missed out but whatever the Reb does is always for your benefit. >> Okay. Later when after I got ready for the kupa in the back room in 770 by it's called the yeud room and we open the door my father and my are holding the candles as we're coming out the reb is coming mish towards us because the little sink over there after the reb would always wash his hands over there and the Reba sees us. I don't think he said maza. I don't think he said anything. Probably before he washed his hands, whatever. So I felt I got the personally face to face >> on the way to the >> Yeah. What could be better? >> Crazy. >> And the Reb is by everyone's I heard from Shalom Sperlin. So Zangazant man he forgot where he lives. He to I think upstate he told me that his parents got married in Williamsburg in the 50s and by then the rebu would not travel out of Kron Heights to be Messian but you would just be media the rebu when is your that night of the said to Raboner let's see it was 7:00 7:00 to 8:00 No one should disturb me. I'm at the >> It's powerful. >> Yeah. >> So you ended up settling in Crown Heights. You were a teacher right away like what? >> I I went one year to >> L. So you were there. It started lame. What? >> Because I got married Tamuz. >> I thought you got married in Lamian. >> Lammed Zion. >> Okay. >> And towards the end of the year was already summer time. There was no ish yeshiva. >> And kyo I started maybe right after the summer or or >> yeah or maybe beginning of lit. I don't remember. >> You got married in town. >> Oh, I meant to say, >> right? Yeah. Yeah. >> You can. >> So you So you were there. You were there in >> Yeah. >> But you never missed any. >> So what? What happened? Uh >> when had the heart attack >> the what? >> That was a year later. No, >> that was that year. >> That was that year. Yeah, I remember it. Yeah. >> So everyone has their angle. What? >> We were a fresh couple. >> Everyone that I speak to has their their angle. So you know what do you uh what do you have to share from there? I guess I was just in too much shock to to to process what's happening. They just said everyone leave the show. So we left. >> Didn't you see something before >> we were surprised that asked for his chair >> now? Before before there's something that I saw. I don't know if anyone anyone noticed it. the Reb Min in the small z and during min I saw the Reba taking his holy hand and wiping over his whole face and I was scared. I saw Rabiel Khan standing next to me. I was going to say something but he never doesn't do things like that. >> No, totally not him. And I thought if I'm going to say something, he'll laugh at me or he'll afraid to speak up. >> But you noticed that. >> Yeah. >> And then when the Reb had the heart attack that night, it was >> then we saw the Reb leaning on the then asking for the chair and there we all ran out of sh. >> Yeah. >> And then there was dancing going outside. >> Still dancing, you know. So you ended up being a ka for a year and then you ended up teaching. You asked the about teaching. >> At the end of the year Rabbi Bamilski came to me asked me if I'm looking for a job or I'm interested in teaching in ocean parkway ka alf. There was Rabbi Reichis Benian Reitis was teaching and he needed a second first grade cuz it was like a lot of kids. So I had 12 kids the first year and then uh then year after year I was teaching until I went on for a year. What do you mean? So you >> I wanted to go on >> before before you were a teacher. You wanted to go on? No. >> No. You started teach when the sent >> there was uh there was there was three years. One of them was but >> I wrote to the me and my wife are ready to say >> you're already you're already teaching. You're in >> Yeah. Submit your names. >> Okay. >> Sorry. Me and my wife decided we want to go on the Reb wants very much could be I was teaching already could be and the Reb writes because you're already teaching yeah continue what you're doing here in the show but but I had this desire to go on I had an offer to go to Ann Arbor Michigan to work with my brother Arlo who's still there on and I what the plan was the first year I'm going to be supported by Rabbi Sham completely is going to but the following year I'm going to have to do fundraising and and so I wrote it all to the and the wrote If I think that I'm cut out for it and I guess my desire to very much Yeah. Yeah. I I'll do it. I'll do it. And after the year is coming to a close and we had a a million of bala that year >> mama a minion as it was coming to an end. I have to start testing the waters. So I was given some names of rich people, go visit them and try to get some money. You're going to do fundraising. So I take I drive to this ge come to the house speak with him now and came back without a penny. >> Okay. And I try to think a second, third time. It's not it's not working out. I wrote to the Reb, "What should I do?" Reb writes back, "Didn't I tell you that only if you assume that you're cut out for it?" What was the answer from a year ago? >> They already told you. Uh I said I told you. So I got a job back my Rabbi Bamsilski took me back and I taught there for a few years till me giml meal around >> and he moved >> and then I went moved over to Alra and uh I taught there for 30 years and then I went to have a taste in another yeshivas and by Rabbi Simpson for two years I tried. So I want to get back to I guess I I guess now that you mentioned you're a teacher, >> we'll get back to the of the in a minute, >> but I want to discuss some of the things besides being a teacher in a classroom. You also have done things for that are beyond um your own classroom. Well, we'll start with which is the book that everybody knows about. So what was that? Uh what was that project? Do you have any and I wonder do you have any from the reba on on those projects? >> No, I got a bra when I gave the a one of the additions. >> Mhm. >> And like thanked me for it and gave a bra. The the thing is that we used to use what was called stencils and used to run it off in the yeshiva like on a a machine like almost like a mimigraph machine if you know what that is and and I made it for my class for every kid had their own booklet vious and bar with the titan the whole thing and I thought to myself used to go to a printer there somewhere flat bushes somewhere. So I got idea maybe I should print it like officially print. And from this planting a seed in my mind I ended up making and the first book was not with a typewriter, not with the computer, >> handwriting. >> Handwriting. >> The first few >> the first book only the first one >> Yeah. Nayak was already >> so I just saw I just was looking at them and I thought there was more than that. Okay. >> Only the first braces and when I showed it to Rabiov he says huh why handwriting. Yeah. So as a smart alec I said you know I want to kill two birds with one stone like this a practices their ability to read script says uh-uh you don't try to do two things at the same time each thing take care by itself so what did I do the next publication I made photo copies of par I cut out p piece by line by line made because yeah because it's linear because the kaim broner is in the dentist he said why don't you put English on the side for for the parents who need it I decided I'll put in English it's a good idea so that's what I did I made the text of the kish and English that was from the very beginning. >> You forgot to mention the kid in the front cover. >> Oh, yes. So, I have I want to make it look alive and kids should like it. So, I took uh many pictures of my class of all the kids. I put them on a hashem t-shirt >> and yamaka >> and especially yamaka and I thought now which one they're all look so cute and so gushmak. So I went to ML Machnik. I said, "You're an artist. Choose the nicest, cutest, sweetest picture." He said, "This one Yeti Cayman." So he ended up being >> it's my oldest brother is the on the cover >> thousands and thousands of books. It was a very big thing. >> We all we all used it. And now now that there's computers, everyone does their own stuff, >> right? But everyone used the >> stopped printing him. >> Amazing. Okay. Yeah, that's uh that was his claim to fame always. He's on the front cover. I actually remember when I was in your class, one of the kids in the class brought you said you did auditions, right? >> So I think you gave out the the the pictures to all the kids. So one of my friends brought his older brother's uh >> Oh, yeah. audition, you know, his his picture as well. So, okay. So, that's Mikra. And then also you did all these other projects, the the living sedra and yeah, I would what I would do I would tell tell the kids the par of the week and Rabbish Schwarz somehow I found out that he uses a book called the med says I got a hold of it and I loved it. It's so smooth going and everything. So I would read it. But I thought it's such a pity. Read it once, record it. So as I tell the story, I turn on my recorder and then later I can play it over. They can hear it again. And because the a gave me a special uh flavor how to tell stories, people liked it. So I thought, you know, I'm going to going to sell it, not because I I think about the money so much, but just to make it public. So I used to go to T Hashem's store when it was on Kingston Avenue between President and Carol and used to put the tapes there and uh would go a certain point at a certain point I was putting out in the stores. I came to Iller's I put it out then I came to a store on Coney Island. The guy said, "There's a guy, Rabbi Weissman, it's his publication. Do you have permission from him to do it?" I said, "What makes you say so?" He says, "Because he came into the store and he mentioned that these recordings are from my book." So I right away I thought, "Yeah, he's right." So first thing I asked the RV that this guy is presenting the medra so beautifully and I'm saying I'm not using >> you're reading verbatim though >> no I use my own words I put in more stuff >> so the rub says there's no copyright on the madish >> don't worry about it but still I I wrote out a check I think $1,800 >> a lot of money >> and I sent it to him he sends it back. Not necessary. >> Mhm. >> But I still did not feel good. So one day I decided I'm going to speak to him. I call him up and I recorded the conversation and I I said to him, Abra Weisman, you know, I whether legally it's considered copyright or not, but I'm I'm basing it off your book. I use a lot of other stuff too. He says, "Don't worry about it. It's all fine. It's all good." I tell him it goes to around the world who have to do homeschooling and he help he holds very much from the >> um you you have but your father also like this is you already have experience with your father that is his song Hashem is here is there >> is from his first records >> and it became famous through maybe someone else >> uncle >> right he asked permission >> oh he did ask permission >> yeah for sure I I heard a whole story. Maybe it's above me that uh that he was he was thinking of saying something. He stole or someone told him he stole my song. It's like it's okay. Now more people know about it. So it's great. You know, >> I'll tell you maybe it's it's it's a product of another story that I heard from my father. >> Yeah. >> He was traveling I think in Michigan. He came to a store and the store is selling his tapes, a different rapper, a different thing and not from my father. So I said to my father, "What did you do?" He says, "I went and gave him Yashikayak for reaching those places that I don't reach." Right. Okay. All right. That's good. Um, is there anything It sounds like I'm just stay on the track for a second. It sounds like stories is a big method of uh of of your of your teaching. >> Yeah, I I wrote a whole article on it. It's on my website. I brought together from sus and places what kind of stories to tell and why we tell stories. Stories is not just for entertainment. Yeah, when you tell a story, you have to do it in a way that entertains their interested. Stories are to teach lessons and to show that people live that way. The benefit of telling a story about init he got through it. What happens to the boy in front of you? The boy in front of you doesn't feel in he's not talking about me. He's not giving me mus. He's not criticizing me. He's talking about someone else. And I what I learned from my father if you listen to his stories every few lines he puts in another message like you have commercials in the middle of a program every and he watched right >> and he was careful to make the braha that that's what's most important. So storytelling is this is the same thing storytelling is extremely powerful tool. In fact, the Reb said it by by in the said when a teacher comes into class and starts a lesson, half of the kids are turned on and half are scared. I'm not going to get it. The said, "What if you give your lesson in a story form?" says the fear goes away and they can all listen and they will want to hear more. So do the stories have to be true? That's a good question. I asked that question to Rabbi Khadakov. Okay. And later I found it in the Rabbi Khadakov said to me if the message you're giving is true then it's okay. I said for example I see kids fighting or kids stealing. Could I make up a story of Yasi and Benny? He says if the message is Amis, you could tell it because a lot of stories that that Kahas published. There's a book called Unub. >> Mhm. >> Or Sophenu from Kahas. They don't have it today anymore. And they have a lot of madeup stories with good lessons. And because they are good lessons and I remember seeing in a I think it's was a shabas for bringing the said this is a the people take because it's that they can never happen but if it's gonna >> so it doesn't me making up stories about >> I can't say the went somewhere here. >> I can't use individual names, >> right? >> I could say Yasi and Benny, >> right? >> Or Mr. Burger, make up. >> You brought you actually brought back a flashback. We had a birthday party and there was a one of the items in the birthday bag was you didn't like the ha. And I remember you said a whole story that two kids saw certain potato chips that had was the wrong ha and they were saying, "Should we eat it?" But I'm not allowed to eat it and we don't eat it in my house. And this and he didn't eat the h the whole time he said the ha the name of the ha. That was the whole part of the story. And now we'll have the birthday party. Okay, let's see what's in the bag. And oh, this is the So I remember the birthday the birthday boy was like it's the wrong we're not going to eat it. I guess I guess you inspected the bag before. Exactly. And you didn't want to serve it but you didn't want to make I think you made the kid feel like like Yeah. Tell a story and then he >> but I was smart enough to realize what you were doing. I don't know if everyone else did. >> I once was speaking about uh oh it was a kid in the class someone told me that going ice skating in a Goisha place. Ice skating. You want to go ice skating is one thing when the goisha place. So I told the story about a kid in Russia and he had a chance to go icek in gisha place and he didn't want and he turned out to be a a hero because he controlled himself. Few days later I got regards like the parents weren't like very excited even though it was laba parents they weren't happy with you. They were unhappy. >> Okay. So doesn't always work. Once I had a complaint family went out for a weekend and came back and said we were in a hotel and the TV was on and we were watching and then our son, the one in your class saw for a few seconds and he started to cry hysterically. I just did a terrible thing. Nohuh. You're saying >> is it a benefit? Is it >> I think that's >> maybe I shouldn't teach these things. >> Maybe the teachers. >> Okay. >> Okay. Very good. So, um I just want to mention one thing that was very good that you did in your class that there's the supposed to say of your name and the Reb's name. I remember you laminated it and printed everyone's name individually and taped it to their desk until they knew it by heart. Once they knew it by heart, then he took it off the desk. And it's thanks to you that I then I learned to say um so let's move a little bit back. We we'll continue. Um you had a few first of all like you were bringing your kids to the rabbit at the 770 like uh maybe tell me a little bit about that. I used to when I came back from yeshiva the first year I taught maybe no second year I used to take my my kid with me my zu my >> he's your oldest >> yeah I would take him to min and sometimes he would stand so close to the reb's table upstairs the rebu would look at him and by amen the reb would shake his head like amen pain to him to encourage him. Yeah. >> I took my kids all the time to the all the time. They're so thankful today. They have loads and loads of dollars. >> Right. And everything. >> Yeah. Something with a pushka with Z. No. >> With what? >> With a pushka. With the gate stuck to Z >> when he was a baby. Mameish. >> So what was that? like maybe he was six months old. I remember we used to stand by where the is going to go into the sh upstairs for Mina. There's a big box. So I was standing there with him and the gave him a coin and I made him put into the pushka. He started to scream >> when he was 6 months. He must have been older. >> Maybe maybe a year. >> Okay. He started this such a loud screech that got another coin and gave it to him to climb down. >> So there's a few things with Z also. >> Yeah. >> What was that? >> Zman took one of these papers was much smaller than what we have today and he folded it up and he held it. When the Reb went, he was standing by the you know in the circle >> where the Reb did and he stuck it out but he couldn't reach the safe. >> He stuck it out. He wanted to >> touch it. Yeah. >> The Reb took it touched the T and give it back to >> Did he keep it? >> He has it. Sure. >> Okay. Good. Um, you also had your own little with the different shamas type of things that you did. No. >> Yeah. I once saw that the Reb is speaking for a long time and the Reb they need a uh after between the Reb gives a after the Reb wants to wash for Maid wash his hands. So, two times I was able to bring water for the rabbi. The first time I sent you a picture of it and I only prepared didn't do this was there before they figured out how to do this. Okay. >> Okay. >> I brought the curt the looks where am I going to pour it? He didn't say it, but he look right away. We found up a cardboard box on the side. We br put it there. Gave me a big smile. So washed into the carboard box. >> Yeah. Into the carboard box. >> That's the thing. >> And the bakim didn't run to lick up the water. >> There's a story with that. Then there's a whole they brought then already musket knew how to do it. You know they had a s I know silver >> and the washing tis >> right >> so so you could see in the video that um Sperland is pouring you can't see it in the video but you see the is sitting and smiling that as was wiping his hands in the towel there was smiling so I asked I think his son what happened he says that um was pouring the the water from the he poured it into a bottle You mean from the shis? >> From the shisel. Yeah. Into a bottle. And the seeing this is smiling like you're saving my water. And then the said make sure no one uses it. No, they can't use this water. Yeah. So that's that's the whole thing in the smile. Yeah. Um also once a byan one time they didn't have the tablecloth for the reba so they used >> the yum or something. >> No maybe a shabas or something >> whatever the book didn't have a tablecloth. >> They didn't have a tablecloth. So they used a disposable >> like a plastic. >> The plastic. >> Mhm. >> After bringing they why are they going to keep it? So I grabbed it. it. I took it and I have it till today. But I thought to myself, if it happens again, I want to have a real tablecloth. So I kept in my locker, a beautiful, nice, big tablecloth. And one shabus, they needed one and I provided it. And I have that tablecloth till today. I gave it to a tailor, made a kettle out of it for where under the ka and from the all the little pieces I I made other stuff a yarmaka for a kid by a bris or a veil for a kala. Then for gulas some people for something I saw letters from the rebba the rebba sent a piece of the handkerchief of the fleb to the uncle kats in Chicago if you know he was for his brother who needed a ra was another person what what do you do with it he said put it near his pillow >> he wasn't well neither of And there was another one Rabbi Hak from No Haven had to go on a to Brazil. The deb gave him a piece of cloth. And you see in the letter the says now that you finished the bring it back please. There there is a certain aim for they have something forba. Now I'm going to have a lot of phone calls >> to use it. Okay. I have to make a say out of it. Um there was a few things you had um a few stories with with and yourself with maybe you could share that Rosenblot >> which I saw that on the Mikra that I was looking at today is a hakasha from Rosenlot. Is that the same? >> Yeah. He was the printer. Oh, okay. >> His father was the printer all the years until the last printing. I did it somewhere else. He wasn't very happy, but so he asked me a question in class. Yeah, he asked in class, "What do you mean that'll hold you? You don't dip only tonight? What's about rashana and and the salt and the salt? Thought that's a good question. So I wrote it in his name in the butan that ever answered. That's the difference from that. >> So you wrote you wrote the with the kid's name and published it in the in the kin. >> Yeah. I didn't write it as I'm writing it. >> Mhm. >> I said this is his Shila. and answered it. But if I bring a difference this is only a minute and this is you know means so what was the what were other stories with that you had the there was a time the said I'm going to ask a question and you try to give the answer other times the says you put in the questions and I'll choose one of them to answer. So I did from I wrote in a question about the war with the four kings and the five kings. I wrote a question and says this is the question we're going to deal with now and spoke about it. If you're lucky, the Reb chose yours, >> right? There there's also um there's also a story with a liqu that you had something you had something to do with a liqu that was made. >> Oh, yeah. This is a question that I had to what's that story? We're learning from Paris that it says Nyak was 600 years old by the Mel and after the m and after the marble it says he lived another 350 years when he gives the total of his whole lifetime it says he lived 850 years I said one minute what's about the year of the marble you're not counting it in. So I wrote it into the Reba and the Reba gave me an answer that we're counting the beginning of the year like so some kind of answer that we can work it out but then the Reb wrote look in this and this safer which should be in the library and the gave a name with a question mark. So I went to the library and I showed it to be bar 11 that the Reb says look in the library he says okay he'll he'll look into it and this was s a whole every once in a while I kept him new barrel and waiting for an answer says wait be patient when it came pious the following that supreme minutes later he says now you get to your answer. I said what happened. He had a whole series of questions and answers that he he was communicating with the Reba about this question. Rebu gave one answer and he and he asked the question on the answer and gave another answer. It's all printed in his book called you see the whole the whole communication back and forth and then it was printed but look it's a very unique it's not from right says or whatever that was so he must have given it to the to those that were doing the >> yeah then they made a le out of Very interesting. >> Yeah. >> Um Okay. So this is uh through being Muhammad and uh yeah you had all these interesting things. So is there any um you're a veteran? So I want to know if there's any either you got from the from or something in general that you think is important like a message for people today. Well, in the Reb says that we're living in a generation where the children are ready to want elus tells the story the Reb turned four or five years old and he's crying to Zah Why can't I see Hashem like Hashem appeared to Abraham? And then they answer there's a lesson you learned from it said why did emphasize that it was only four or five years old could have just told the story without it to show you that even a child at four or five years old can be educated in our days that what is his biggest desire? Elos godliness translating into practical my means to educate a kid not for prizes not for toys not for trips what for he wants a lus and then a footnote and and the says what's about the ram the ram says clearly is the way to get kids to learn is by bribing him with with nuts, money, shoes, whatever different things. The says we find in the concept of nature has changed now says the opened up a new channel that we could be the kids that way. And if you're stuck and your kids are not doing it, it's because you don't speak from the heart. If you would speak will surely reach them. They are caiming for it. They're ready for it. So what did I do? Unfortunately, many years I did not try out that sika to see if I can. I went with tickets, prizes and this nash but I was encouraged again and again from other people other seminars that I attended insisted why don't we try the so one year I decided from day one of the school year I'm going to try it out and I'm even going to keep a diary what I'm doing so if it works I can follow it for the next year and it took only a few weeks I got all the kids on board to the extent that if after a session of learning I would give them nash because I would give them randomly not because you learned just randomly give them treats the says why do we throw candies from Malik to a kid to give him to learn. So it's not because he's learning just to encourage. So I would give out. So was one time after a session of I say kids come to my desk. I have some say you better not now. So why not? Cuz then it will be considered like we learned for the candies. We're learning for Hashem. >> The kids told you this. >> Yeah. >> And you never told them what you're doing. >> What do you mean? We after I >> but you told the kids that that >> we're not going to be giving out prizes >> that already that I said it took a few weeks and all the kids are on board >> to learn for Hashem not for candies >> and one time I after the session I gave him candy said Rabbi maybe later so it's not considered that we're doing it for the candies and it was so impressive I once called Rebelistic the principal entered a class and I said, "Ask the kids to say some pukim and then offer them a treat." And they said the pukim so nicely. And Rabistic says, "Okay, kids. Would you like to have pizza?" "No, ice cream." "No, but you learned so well. What would you like to learn more?" It's doable. It's not a play. It's not a joke. And At that age, six, seven year olds, you could. >> So I'm not a I'm not a teacher, but I have children. So you're saying the same is with discipline. I'm saying like, yeah, it's not like do this, do this good thing, and I'll give you a can to give you a lollipop. >> If you don't come to supper, you're going you're going to this you listen to tati because it's a mitzvah. >> That works. Okay. I have to make >> So what did I do with my diary? >> Yeah. I I had a nice big fat diary and I publicized it and I got regards from Israel. Their teachers are using my method. It's a step-by-step method how to get there and it's on my website.com a website revolutionary approach to from theb and it works. Now I'm I I did the whole thing over again. I rewrote it. I gave it to a professional editor to do it in Hebrew and in English. And it's middle of the making and will be publicized. It's beautiful. That's interesting. I I wasn't aware of the and it's I always I always think about what do you mean this is what's what's a problem? And now you're saying that uh >> we have to look at the >> you you touched upon which reminded me of a different story. You just said, >> "Yeah." >> Didn't you ask the about the You had a question. A question about it. >> When my twins were turning three, I wasn't sure. I knew that their birthday is in the middle of Pes. So we have to wait for and the question was at turning three should I make also and I saw in the mention his idea of three years old but when I asked he said in Russia they did it at four or five. So I write all of this to the rabbi and I said the fact that it says in the something about three years old I said maybe it's for only forb and then I wrote a concluding line that here here in I'm not telling you the exact wording but here they bring the kid at three to a kindergarten but mainly to That's when I read. >> So you're saying maybe can't really you're not going to >> here they bring kids at three. >> They're not going at three to >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So the first of all when I wrote kindergarten he made an arrow and he writes that is when I wrote they go there mainly to play. He crossed it out twice the word to play. He wrote They go there to make rais then he underlined the whole line that here at the age of three they're bringing the card and he made an arrow to that line that at three they bring kids there and the says now what's your question so a few things in understanding number one does that mean that the is saying that it should be done at three in in in kindergart this is and this is what people are doing and he made an arrow so >> so the reb saying it should be done at three years old >> that's it's obvious >> it has to be done by the >> I do it it doesn't have to be the same day although I practical purposes I do in the same day but could be >> I told me that that is to do it the day of the but by whatever was not on his birthday. He was born at Shashana and when did he after afteralia I think it was or >> she saying it should be around. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you reminding me in so I have to have to do it. Uh but then I have another question. You don't see anyone doing it in in in kindergarten whatever in the in the Gan. >> They do. The Babachi Shiva has it all the time. But I thought it's always done by by rabbies in first grade. >> They don't do it in the kindergarten. >> You do it at that age, but you don't do it in the kindergarten like the saying. >> What the is going to do it? >> Yeah. The said it's a it's a >> right. So you don't you ask the baby to come. >> But according to what the is saying it should be done in in the in the group which geographically which room? >> No, but the way it's done is that the kid is brought to an older class which he's not in. He's brought pre1a whatever or or first grade >> it should be done based on what the is saying in the class that he's learning in the in the in the whatever the kindergarten whatever it's called >> possibly that >> okay so maybe she should make a new uh >> possibly >> why the mora could do it why not if she could teach she could she could do it too >> I don't know what they do with her rebi >> okay we'll have to figure this out okay so we started off this conversation um with your when you got a name a new name so maybe that's ended off as well with that um I mean you you you basically got a new lease on life so maybe you could tell me about it a little bit >> when when I woke up from the month-long coma Barashem I woke up with a start with a sim in myself. I even heard overheard nurses in my room saying, "This guy is smiling all the time. They're not used to it." And I had reason not to smile. I was there when I after a month of not eating. I was laying in bed like a log. I was emanciated. I was thin. I looked at my foot. It reminded me pictures of the Holocaust. I lost like 30 35 pounds or so. Don't worry, I took revenge. And the I couldn't move. I couldn't move my fingers, my hand. I was mish zero strength. And slowly I was getting back to myself and um but I was ever the whole time with a positive approach. I'm going to make it. I'm going to make it. It's going to be good. I'm going to be running around the streets a year before co someone I was speaking to someone a big professional and advised me learn. So I said uh okay. And I started to learn. I started to listen on the phone. under a hotline. >> You never told many people to to learn. Yeah. >> And that's when I heard the niggan from every waxman. I believe in Hashem. I trust in Hashem. I loved the niggan so much. I taught it to my class. I taught it to kids. I taught it to my family. Wherever I went, I was teaching it. And I was asked to come for bringing once of before co to fain in a in a over there was Wilhelm and he asked me sing your bet song and he took a video. The next morning my son-in-law tells me he got from Israel the video. I mean went all over later when I woke up from the coma and I sang it from my hospital bed with my strings attached and all the pipes went viral like so I believe strongly that you learn it works even on your subconscious cuz I wasn't even conscious when I was when when I was in a coma I wasn't thinking I guess subconscious got got convinced it's so important you know recently a big big a great passed away he told what I'm going to tell you now he told this to Kalman vinefeld >> Mhm. who shared it with me says Binyama Klene the Reb's secretary Rabbi Binyama Klene told Tovia BL as follows Rabbi Klene brought into the Reb's room a pack of letters envelopes that came mail puts it down on the Reb's desk right near another pile that was waiting for the Rebas to answer and the Reb takes his holy hands and shows the distance of the size of the the whole pile. Right now it's double the size. And the Reb says if people would only learn then the size of this pile of letters would be less than half. Why? Because by learning itself the problems get resolved. said I heard about it and I told and he said calmer find out the source and and that's that's what he told me. >> So the source is in TV heard it from Rabbi Klein the Reb said it to Rabbi Klein. >> Thank you because I I mentioned the story in one of the other podcasts and I tried to find out from someone in the family if they ever heard it from from Klein. Now we have the source. So what's the chhat is not only that first of all you have you're not always sitting and complaining that's number one because have you believe you have so you're not you you don't always have to write >> learning it itself resolves right type of thing exactly beautiful okay the very first is a mini shabak It isb and explains what's people are afraid. How can Ruain expect Hashem to do a miracle for him? Ruven knows he did a sin yesterday or a year ago. Maybe he's on the blacklist. Maybe Hashem is trying to get even with him now. Maybe this is his punishment. There is such thing as a reward and punishment, >> right? And the brings who says if you have helps whether you are deserving or not just because you're having means absolute trust in Hashem that it's going to be good. Even if all odds are against it that's okay. It's a good note to end. >> Yes. And uh you should continue for many many years. >> Amen. Thank you very much for inviting me and gave me opportunity to reminisce and remember myself. >> Okay. And hopefully we all others