Nachas to the Rebbe

R’ Bentche Shemtov made a Bar Mitzva for his son, and wrote on the invitation that he requested everyone to join him in wishing his son that he bring nachas to the Rebbe. A Litvishe Rov who had received the invitation came to him with a complaint: ‘Shouldn’t the focus be on giving the Eibishter nachas, why focus on a human being?

R’ Bentche told him that it was a good question, and perhaps he should direct it to the Rebbe himself. The Rov complied, and sent the question to the Rebbe under an assumed name.

The Rebbe responded: If the goal is to give the Eibishter nachas, it is much easier to fool oneself. A person can always convince himself that the Eibishter is delighted with whatever he’s doing. However, when he uses a human being who he knows as the measuring stick, then it is much more difficult to go astray, and much easier to come to a clear conclusion about what is really expected and what not!