MUST SEE: The incredible story of addiction and redemption

I had a friend who lived in Crown Heights. This story took place around thirty years ago. Unfortunately, he had abandoned Jewish life, went into business, got involved in drugs, and fell into the worst possible situation. All sorts of rabbis from his wife’s family – she wasn’t Chabad – asked for the Rebbe’s advice and blessing, but the Rebbe didn’t reply. The family knew that I was his friend, so they flew me out to America to see if I could influence him. I came to the United States, I spent time with him, and I realized the situation was very bad. I wouldn’t be able to help him. He was no longer living in his home; the family didn’t want him there, so he was living in some basement... We sat together an entire night, and I convinced him to himself write to the Rebbe. He sat with me, and wrote a letter describing his experience, explaining how he got into his situation. I told him, “You don’t play games with the Rebbe. Write everything...” I took his letter, along with my own letter where I wrote “You are like a father to me, you’re my representative before God, and His representative to me… I am not returning home – I have a wife and children there – I want a blessing and advice on how to save my friend.” He didn’t want me to bring the letter to the Rebbe’s office; he was afraid they would see his letter – he was ashamed. I promised to bring it to the Rebbe’s home. At seven in the morning, I was standing at the Rebbe’s door. I knocked, but the attendant who worked in the Rebbe’s home insisted that I take the letter to 770, through the proper channels. “Go to the office, bring the letter there.” She closed the door. I knocked again and she returned, “It’s not fair, it’s not nice, this is out of line...” I said. I just put out my hand and gave her the letter. I was happy that the letter got in, and hoped the Rebbe would read it. I returned to 770 and stood next to the Rebbe’s office. I stood there, when the Rebbe suddenly arrived. It was a Thursday. The Rebbe looked at me with a piercing look. I can’t begin to describe how he looked at me. I remained standing there. After twenty minutes or a half hour – this was before Thursday’s Torah reading – I saw Rabbi Klein entering and exiting the Rebbe’s room. He then called me into his office, and began writing out the Rebbe’s response. He wrote it with tears. The main thrust of the Rebbe’s answer to my friend: “You write to me that until six months ago, everything was alright. That implies that you do have the ability to abstain from drugs and other activities,” which need not be mentioned; terrible things – he had really hit rock bottom. The Rebbe wrote that it was all in his hands. It was a very warm but sharp letter. I’ll quote the end of it: “In conclusion: It is within your power to set aside those bad habits and it is much easier than you imagine.” We sat together and read the letter. He broke down and began to cry. It touched his core, after many other people – rabbis – weren’t able to help. The Rebbe took on the issue, answered him, and he returned to normal life. The entire story is behind us.