Recently, My Encounter interviewed Rabbi Yosef Holtzman, of Brooklyn, New York. During the course of the interview, Rabbi Holtzman revealed that he is the protagonist in a famous story of the Rebbetzin. In honor of the 25th of Adar II, the birthday of the Rebbetzin, we present Rabbi Holtzman’s story.
Rabbi Holtzman’s father, Rabbi Yakov Holtzman, helped out in the Rebbe and Rebbetzin’s house for a number of years in the 1950’s. His family had a close relationship with the Rebbetzin, to the extent that when Yosef was born, the Rebbetzin bought a carriage, a crib with bedding, and baby clothes for him.
Once, when he was a young child, his mother brought her children over to the Rebbetzin’s home for tea. While there, the young Yosef noticed that the house was quite large with several floors. However, there was no one around, as the Rebbe and Rebbetzin had no children. That fact unbeknown to the boy, he innocently approached the Rebbetzin and asked where all her children were. Without missing a beat, the Rebbetzin answered, “All chassidim are the Rebbe’s children.”
This is truly a powerful story to reflect on and take to heart as we approach the Rebbetzin’s special day on Monday.
Credit is due to My Encounter cameraman Yisroel Silman, as well as to Rabbi Avrohom Moshe Dyce, who conducted the interview.
