Vos iz mit ahavas Yisroel?

Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Raichik had a close friend, by the name of R’ Shlomo, who had learned with him in Otvotzk. When the friend decided to move to Los Angeles, he contacted Rabbo Raichik to ask him to intervene on his behalf to help him get settled. R’ Shmuel Dovid promised he would do what he could. Unfortunately, however, Rabbi Raichik’s effort did not bear the anticipated results, and R’ Shlomo put the blame on him. Having been close friends for so many years, he felt hurt and betrayed, and harbored ill feelings towards Rabbi Raichik, who he felt had let him down.

Many years passed, with the relations between them broken down because of R’ Shlomo’s bitterness. One day, Rabbi Raichik was in New York, and he was called into the mazkirus and informed that the Rebbe had inquired about R’ Shlomo. Helplessly, R’ Shmuel Dovid replied that there had been no contact between them for years because of R’ Shlomo’s “broigez” against him. Without delay came the Rebbe’s response: “Vos iz mit ahavas Yisroel”!

[It goes without saying that, after that answer, Rabbi Raichik spared no effort, and the relationship was eventually repaired].