The General of Generals
TefillahShabbos & Yom Tov
A story ofRav Yekusiel Yehuda Halberstamהרב יקותיאל יהודה בן צבי הירש הלברשטאם
On Yom Kippur 1945, General Dwight D. Eisenhower was touring the DP camps and came to the Fahrenwald camp to see the Rebbe, who had gained a reputation as a wonder rabbi. The Rebbe would not speak with him until he had finished davening.
Afterward he told the general, “I was praying before the General of Generals, the King of Kings, the Holy One, Blessed is He. The earthly general had to wait.” Eisenhower was impressed by his leadership and his frankness, and asked whether there was any way he could help.
The Rebbe asked him for a few sets of daled minim, so that the survivors could celebrate the coming Sukkos, and also for a jeep that he could use to help others.