Weekly Chasidic Story #907 (s5775-30 / 24 Nisan 5775)
Psychology or Pottery?
""You are asking me what I think?" replied the Lubavitcher Rebbe. He smiled. "Well, of course you know what I think!"
Connection: ???

Psychology or Pottery?
Rabbi Yosef-Yitzchak Jacobson

Rabbi Yosef-Yitzchak Jacobson tells:

She was an American, a typical Jewish Baby Boomer from a strongly Jewish but non-observant home. Spiritual by nature, she became somewhat of a hippie in the Sixties. She wandered around the world until she landed in New York, where she would study.

An acquaintance mentioned Crown Heights, Brooklyn. "You really ought to see the Lubavitcher Rebbe there. He's something else."

She accepted that it might be worthwhile, and soon she was invited to 770, Chabad headquarters, on an auspicious occasion.

The Rebbe was about to give a sicha, a talk, to women and girls [in February 1973-YT]. Afterwards, he would remain in his place while each woman who had a question or wanted a blessing would be allowed to ascend the dais and have a few personal moments with the Rebbe.

This woman decided to go up to the Rebbe. "I'd like you to know," she began, "that I'm not here because I believe in you or in any of this stuff. I don't believe any of the miracle stories. In fact, this seems like a cult."
The Rebbe listened in good humor and smiled before responding. "Tell me, why then did you come?"

She described her university studies, then posed a question. "I'm majoring in psychology. My parents want me to stay in school but frankly, I'd rather go to the Far East and study pottery. What do you think I should do?"
The Rebbe responded. "I think both options are wonderful and interesting. Pottery and psychology are both worthy vocations. And I can't tell you that one is better than the other.

"But I have a third idea." His eyes sparkled. "Why don't you devote some time to get to know yourself? To discover what it means to be human and Jewish?"

She appreciated the Rebbe's response. She liked his not being offended by her comments, and being totally open to her and her needs. She respected the fact that the Rebbe offered a highly perceptive response - as she was a deep seeker, and an idealist.

Some time later, it was suggested to her that she attend the summer program in Bais Chana, the Chabad women's institute in Minnesota.

She scheduled a private audience with the Rebbe. When she entered his office, this time with more reverence, she asked the Rebbe if he thought she should go to Bais Chana to learn more about her Jewishness?
The Rebbe smiled. "You are asking me what I think?" He said. "Well, certainly you know what I think! Of course I think you should go to Bais Chana."

She drove that summer to St. Paul from her home in Pittsburgh, and the rest is history. But the real message: here was someone flat out, in the Rebbe's face, saying she believes in nothing. She was ostensibly being disrespectful to the entire movement to which he devoted his life. Certainly, the Rebbe had every reason to "educate" her - to scold her and put her in her place.

But then, what would have been achieved? He might have educated her, but he would not have mekarved her - brought her closer to Torah Judaism. The Rebbe wanted to give her the gift of her self - the gift of embracing her own soul, her own identity, so he spoke a language that related to her.

Rabbi Jacobson finished the story by saying: "I know this story well for this woman is my mother in law, Mrs. Rochel Shlomo."

Editor's note: And I - Y.T. -- know it [almost as] well too, since in Minnesota that summer my future wife was roommates with his future mother-in-law.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: Expanded by Yerachmiel Tilles from the rendition in an "Avner Institute" email <Rebbebook@gmail.com>.

Biographical note:
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe [11 Nissan 5662 - 3 Tammuz 5754 (April 1902 - June 1994 C.E.)], became the seventh Rebbe of the Chabad dynasty after his father-in-law's passing on 10 Shvat 5710 (1950 C.E.). He is widely acknowledged as the greatest Jewish leader of the second half of the 20th century. Although a dominant scholar in both the revealed and hidden aspects of Torah and fluent in many languages and scientific subjects, the Rebbe is best known for his extraordinary love and concern for every Jew on the planet. His emissaries around the globe dedicated to strengthening Judaism number in the thousands. Hundreds of volumes of his teachings have been printed, as well as dozens of English renditions.

Yerachmiel Tilles is co-founder and associate director of Ascent-of-Safed, and chief editor of this website (and of KabbalaOnline.org). He has hundreds of published stories to his credit, and many have been translated into other languages. He tells them live at Ascent nearly every Saturday night.

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