The Tzaddik and the Rebbe

This is a sicha from the Previous Rebbe as a follow-up to the last post, with more details and an explanation not mentioned there. Obviously, both explanations are olim b'kaneh echad (complementary).

Many years ago a meeting was held in Warsaw at which the Rebbes of Ger, Radzmin, and my father (the Rebbe Rashab) were present. They discussed the issue of the Polish government’s requirement that Polish rabbis take a secular course promoted by the Enlightenment.

Even before my father had heard the possible advantages of this law, he declared explicitly with his holy mouth that he opposes it. When asked to explain why this law did not find favor in his eyes, he responded with his golden expression, “I don’t want it” (in the Yiddish, “es vilt zich mir nisht”). 

The Rebbe of Ger asked him, “Lubavitcher Rebbe, how can you base yourself upon this?” 

My father responded, “Yes. I decide based on my unwillingness when first weighing up the matter. For from my childhood I have accustomed my body not to desire that which is forbidden according to the Torah, and to bring every organ in my body to truly desire to perform the Mitzvah that is connected to it. I have so accustomed myself that this has become second nature, so much so that I believe my body.”

Sefer HaSichos of Summer 5685, pp. 91-92.