אות - קצח

When I returned from Berditchev after Chanukah in the winter of 5570/1810 (see note 350, p. XX) , the Rebbe told me that he had a story to tell.

He said, “This tale has been told only once before, and this was before Solomon’s Temple was built. The only ones who understood it were the prophet who told it and the one to whom it was told. Even the other prophets could not fathom it. Although this story has already been told once, it is now a totally new concept.

Many things have changed since it was last told. It was told once before in accordance with that time, but now it must be told in accordance with the present.

“This story has removed any questions I might have had about what we are doing. At first, I found it very difficult to understand why we are not respected in this world. But this story answered any question I might have had.”

The Rebbe was prepared to tell the story, but events intervened and we were not worthy of hearing it.

Shortly afterwards, the Rebbe told the story of “The Master of Prayer” (see “ His Wisdom ” #148) . However, he said that this was not the story he had mentioned earlier. He said that the first story was much more beautiful than that of “The Master of Prayer,” as awesome and wonderful as the latter may be. Happy is he who is worthy of hearing this story in the World to Come.