The Gates That Could Not Be Locked

When the Hungarian police caught one of the refugees who had been hiding in the Rebbe's court, they arrested the Spinka Rebbe. His defense was simple. He was a Chassidic rebbe, and many Jews came to him every day. He had no way of knowing everyone's details and citizenship, since he did not ask to see their passports and papers.

The police released him after two days, with a warning to lock his gates every night to keep out trespassers and refugees. The Rebbe knew that if he complied, the countless Jews arriving from Poland with his address would be caught with nowhere to stay. So he told the chassidim to break the gates, so that they could not be locked.

The Rebbe continued in this way until 27 Adar 5704 (March 22, 1944).