Sfekos in Emuna

A young man, we’ll call him Morris Cohen (not his real name) studied at Yeshiva University, and received his Rabinic ordination (a.k.a semicha) there. As an official Rabbi, he received an offer to lead a community in the small town of B, in the mid USA. Morris moved to B, and began performing his new duties with enthusiasm, meeting with much success. However, as time passed, he found his enthusiasm waning. And not only his enthusiasm towards his job; in fact, he was beginning to find himself uninspired about his Yiddishkeit altogether. By and by, he started entertaining doubts about some of the fundamental concepts of Emunah, and he was very troubled about them.

Morris didn’t know where to turn. He definitely did not see himself as a worthy Rabbi, and he was beginning to question whether or not he was a properly believing Jew. He was afraid to discuss his issues with any of his mentors or teachers from YU, because he feared that if they knew what was going on in his mind, they would immediately (perhaps justifiably) revoke his semicha. He was embarrassed to confide in any of his family members, and he felt that any of his colleagues would either not understand him, or were worse off than him.

Contemplating his dilemma, he finally realized that the only one to whom he could turn for help is the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Encouraged by the very idea, he immediate telephoned the mazkirus (the Rebbe’s secretariat). He did not tell them his name (and, although I’m sure not many of you remember this, but there was a time when there was no such a thing as caller ID), introducing himself merely as a Jew from B who would like to speak to the Rebbe.

The Rebbe’s secretary consulted with his calendar, and informed Morris that he would have an appointment on a Tuesday night, at 1:00 a.m., in 3 months. Morris was shocked. He didn’t believe that he could survive another 3 months! He tried to impress upon the mazkir the urgency of the matter, explaining that he was in a dire circumstance, and needed help with sfeikos in emunah etc. Taken aback, the secretary asked him to wait a moment.

A moment later, the mazkir was back on the phone, with the following message: The Rebbe said to tell you that in your city, in B, there is a Rabbi Morris Cohen. You should go and speak to him, and we will be able to provide you with help for all of your problems!

Morris was flabbergasted! Firstly, that the Rebbe even knew that he existed! And moreover, the confidence that the Rebbe had in his ability to provide guidance to a wayward Jew! That was enough to give him the jolt he needed and set him back on track.

Subsequently, Morris did meet with the Rebbe a number of times. He went on to accomplish great things, and he attributed them all to the Rebbe.