NOT IN THE LISTS


Rabbi Sholom-Ber Gordon had just finished speaking with his longtime acquaintance, Mr. Nusbaum, from whom he had learned the terrible news: Mr. Nusbaum's seven-year-old son was seriously injured while playing baseball. The ball flying with great speed hit the boy in the head, and he lost consciousness. The boy was immediately hospitalized, given first aid, but more than a day has passed, and he still has not regained consciousness. Doctors are skeptical and believe that nothing will help the boy.


Rabbi Gordon sat leaning back in his chair, stroking his beard thoughtfully. The situation was not easy. He always found words of comfort in the most difficult situations, but right now he did not know what to do.


A little less than a month has passed since the day when the soul of the Sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn left this world. Thousands of Jews around the world felt like children left without a loving father. It was a difficult time. People did not know who to turn to for help and blessings.


Rabbi Gordon sat immersed in his thoughts for a while, and then got up. In the end, tears will not help grief. He was asked for help, and he must do something. At the same second, a saving thought flashed: "RAMASH! .." Of course, he will definitely help! ..


... The Rebbe's son-in-law, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, whom the Hasidim called among themselves simply RAMASH, after the first letters of his name, was known for his learning, piety and piety even during the lifetime of his great father-in-law. He was, literally, the right hand of the Rebbe, assisting him in his holy work, carrying out all sorts of assignments, acting as a personal secretary, heading an organization in charge of Jewish education and upbringing, and also answering numerous questions related to the Torah.


Rabbi Gordon made a decision: he would ask for blessings from Rabbi Schneerson. And although Rabbi Menachem Mendl in those days refused to accept the post of the Rebbe, he, nevertheless, when they turned to him with a request or for a blessing, asked to indicate the Jewish name, the Jewish name of the mother and promised to read the request on the grave of his father-in-law.


Rabbi Gordon wrote on a piece of paper the boy's Hebrew name and his mother's Hebrew name - Yaakov ben Milka (Jacob, son of Milka) - summarized the whole story, asked for blessings for a speedy recovery and went to the secretariat, where he handed the note to the secretary.


A few minutes later the secretary returned. "Rabbi Schneerson asks for clarification of the boy's name," he said. Rabbi Gordon, not hiding his surprise, spread his hands: "Jacob ben Milka! .." The secretary left and returned again a few minutes later. "Rabbi Schneerson asks for the boy's name," he said again. "Before going to Oel, he must know exactly what the boy's name is." "I don't understand!" replied Rabbi Gordon. "Jacob ben Milka!.. As I was told, so I convey!.."


Just in case, Rabbi Gordon decided to call Mr. Nusbaum back - and here a real surprise awaited him. Mr. Nusbaum was indeed mistaken, which, in his condition, was quite understandable. The Hebrew name of Mr. Nusbaum's wife, the boy's mother, was not Milka, but Menuuch. Rabbi Gordon immediately informed the Rebbe about this.


Soon, to the great joy of the parents and the great amazement of the doctors, the boy came to his senses and began to recover.


"An explanation?" Rabbi Gordon would ask whenever he told this story. "There can only be one explanation: the Rebbe went through the names of all Jewish children around the world and found that the name Yaakov ben Milka was not on that list."


From the book Diamonds for the Rebbe