Permission Needed
Children & shidduchimShabbos & Yom Tov
On the first Shabbos after the wedding, Rav Shneur Zalman of Liadi delivered a lengthy Chassidic discourse in the manner of Chabad. When he concluded, he asked his new son-in-law whether he had understood the ma'amar.
He was somewhat taken aback and confused by Rav Yaakov Yisroel's answer: “I didn't hear a thing.” Rav Yaakov Yisroel explained, “I have not yet received permission from my father, the Czernobler Maggid, to listen to the ma'amar. Whatever I do not have permission to listen to, I do not hear at all.”
The Baal HaTanya was pleased with the answer of his new grandson-in-law and said, “Please ask your father's permission to listen from now on.” Rav Yaakov Yisroel did so, and from then on he listened to and understood all he heard from the holy mouth of the founder of Chabad.