“DO YOU HAVE A DIRECT LINE WITH G-D?!”
A special time for writing
On the following day, the Rebbe delivered an astounding talk saying that we find ourselves in a very special time of "Va'techi Ruach Yakov Avihem" (“the spirit of the Jewish Patriarch Jacob was revived”), i.e., the Rebbe’s spirit was revived.
The Rebbe continued that whoever has not yet done so, should send in a letter of requests for blessing, before the next day, and the Rebbe would bring them to the Ohel (the holy resting place of his revered Rebbe and father-in-law), where he would pray for the requests which countless people would send.
The Rebbe specified that this is pertinent for every Jew — men, women, and children — as they are all members of Klal Yisroel. And since this is relevant to every Jew throughout the world, the Rebbe instructed that letters not only be brought to the Rebbe to bring to the Ohel, but also be brought to gravesites of great Jewish people throughout the world.
The Rebbe explained that it is written in Seforim that all of the kevorim (Jewish burial places) are connected to each other — so letters placed upon other burial places are considered as being brought to the Ohel.
The flood of letters
As the Rebbe entered his room after his public talk, he reiterated with emphasis that this directive was for every Jew, including women and children.
The response was enormous. The fax machine of the Rebbe’s secretariat began receiving letters and requests from all over the world. The flow continued all night and into the next morning. Regardless if one considered themselves a Chassid — or even “religious” — people did not want to miss this unique opportunity for blessing.
There was excitement in anticipation of the Rebbe’s visit to the Ohel. Hundreds of chassidim, many out-of-town guests, and Jews from neighboring communities (e.g., Borough Park and Williamsburg) came to see what was unfolding at 770.
- 2:50 PM — The Rebbe departed for the Ohel with large bags filled with thousands of letters received since the Sicha (from the night before).
- As the car began leaving, a Jew knocked on the window to hand in his letter; the Rebbe had the window opened and took it as well.
- The Rebbe told Rabbi Krinsky that any letters arriving while he is at the Ohel should be brought to him there.
- 5:00 PM — Another load of letters was sent from Brooklyn to the Ohel.
- 6:00 PM — A “Mitzvah Tank” delivered yet more letters to the Ohel in Queens, which Rabbi Krinsky brought in to the Rebbe.
Meanwhile… in Sydney
In Sydney, Australia, Rabbi Mordechai (“Motty”) Hasofer heard the hookup of the Rebbe’s talk. He returned home excited and shared the news with his wife, Devorah. Realizing the opportunity, they spread the word, encouraging family and acquaintances to write their requests to the Rebbe.
As the day ended, a pile of letters stood high on the Hasofers’ dining room table. Family, friends, and mekurovim (less-involved community members coming closer) joined in writing. Yet Mrs. Hasofer was bothered: her father, Mr. Peter Dyce, refused to participate.
Mr. Dyce and his parents emigrated to Australia from pre-war Europe, sparing themselves from the Holocaust. Peter’s father foresaw danger and fled, though he could not convince much of the extended family, many of whom later perished.
A painful refrain remained in the family: “But where was G-d in the Holocaust?”
Determined that her father merit the opportunity, Mrs. Hasofer came to convince him to write. He refused. With the sun about to set, they compromised: Peter would dictate his request, and his daughter would write it.
Towards midnight, Rabbi Hasofer and his brother Nachi (Menachem) went to the cemetery in Sydney and placed the bundle of letters on the gravesite of Rabbi Asher Abramson (a great Chabad Chassid and Av Beis Din). After heartfelt prayer, they returned home.
“Do you have a direct line to G-d?”
At about six in the morning, knocks startled the Hasofers. At the door stood Mr. Dyce, emotionally overwrought. After settling at the kitchen table, he said: “I will tell you something astounding that if I hadn't experienced it myself, I would not believe that things like this could happen.”
He described heading out to sea with his friend Richard. Time and again, Mr. Dyce caught big, fat fish — while Richard caught nothing. They switched places; the outcome didn’t change.
Then it hit him: perhaps this wasn’t luck. It was connected to the request he had dictated the night before.
On the way back, an Italian fishing boat sped toward them. The captain shouted: “How did you manage to catch so many fish? Do you have a direct line to G-d?” Their crew had been fishing for hours and had almost nothing.
Mr. Dyce said he was suddenly overcome with a fear he was unaccustomed to — struck by the thought that there is a G-d in this world, and his amazing success was connected with the letter.
Rabbi and Mrs. Hasofer followed him to the boat and saw it filled with large fish — remarkably, all kosher. Mr. Dyce shared the catch with family and friends, repeating the story.
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