The Week in Smorgon

The Mitteler Rebbe was known for his deep caring for each and every one of his chassidim, especially the young people.

One summer he was traveling and stopped in the village of Smorgon. He announced that he would spend a week there and receive people for private audiences, known as yechidut. For several days throngs came to the inn where the Rebbe was staying. Suddenly the Rebbe announced that he would receive no one until further notice. For several hours people could hear him saying Tehillim and weeping. The Rebbe was so weakened by the ordeal that he needed to rest for an hour before davening Mincha. The next day he again received no visitors. Only the day after did he resume his normal schedule.

One of the older chassidim was bold enough to ask the Rebbe the reason for his behavior. The Rebbe replied that when someone comes to him for advice, he does not merely offer advice. Rather, he must put himself into that person's problem so that it becomes his own problem. Once he saw where the problem originated, he would put himself into the individual so that the solution would be acceptable.

"A young man came to me with a problem," the Rebbe continued. "But as hard as I tried, I could not convince him of the solution. I then realized that the problem was with me. I was not doing a good enough job of relating to him. Once I took upon myself the firm resolution to improve myself, I could once again relate to him."