The Flight Held for the Rebbe

The Klausenberger Rebbe was preparing to travel to the United States. He planned to daven at the earliest minyan, so that he would finish in time and not be late for his flight. As he davened in his shul, the chazan and the mispallelim sped up the tefillah a little, to make sure the Rebbe would reach the airport on time.

The Rebbe himself seemed to be in no rush. He davened with ga'aguim and kisufim (longing and passion) for Hashem, especially at the berachah of Ahavas Olam before the Shema, which describes our love for Hashem and Torah and how much Hashem loves us. There he was so elevated that he went beyond time and space. He repeated the words “we shall not be put to shame forever” again and again, and burst out sobbing uncontrollably.

By then the chassidim had given up hope that he would make the flight. After davening he went to the airport. The door of the plane had already closed and the stairs had been wheeled away. Nevertheless, in his honor, they held the flight. They wheeled the stairs back and reopened the door so that the Rebbe could board.