Simchas Beis Hashoeiva 5723
…. As the known story of Reb Shmuel Munkes and the
Alter Rebbe. We spoke earlier, when they came to
arrest the Alter Rebbe he went into hiding with a couple
of Chassidim to discus the situation. Amongst those
who were present was Reb Shmuel Munkes. The Alter
Rebbe turned to him and asked, “What do you think
should be done?” Reb Shmuel replied, that the Rebbe
should give himself in. The Alter Rebbe asked, “But
what about the danger of this despicable government?
Is it not Pikuach Nefesh where even the slightest doubt
of hundreds and thousands of doubts, one must be
Doyche the entire torah?” Reb Shmuel Munkes
answered, “If you are a Rebbe then not even they can
harm you. But if Chas Veshalom, you’re not a Rebbe then what right
did you have to take away the pleasure and enjoyment
from so many Yidden?”
The Alter Rebbe’s Derech at the time was that a Yid
shouldn’t associate himself with physical enjoyments
and pleasures, rather the pleasure and enjoyment
should be only in G-dly things, like the pleasure that the
Neshama has while being in the body.
(Maaseh Rav Tape #5 Side 2 the second Sicha)
