Grow a Beard

The Rebbe once asked a chosid to influence an acquaintance to begin letting his beard grow. The Rebbe, however, stipulated, that under no circumstances should he disclose that the source of the request is the Rebbe.

This particular acquaintance enjoyed a very close relationship with the Rebbe, and was the recipient of many kiruvim. In his resistance to the suggestion that he grow a beard, his trump card was always that “It can’t possibly be as crucial as you say; you know what a close relationship I have with the Lubavitcher Rebbe, if he thought that it was so important (as you suggest it is), surely he would have said something!” The chosid was left biting his tongue, unable to provide the real answer to that question!

Finally, on one occasion, the chosid complained to the Rebbe about how that condition makes his task almost an impossibility, and requested it be revoked. The Rebbe refused, and offered the following explanation: “If he knows that the request is coming from me, then it will be my beard, and I want it to be his beard!”