My brother has many talents. One of them is as a photographer.

And of the many things he has taught me, one of them is that:

Whilst there are many components to a good picture, it is the facial expressions that tell the story.

Sometimes I remember to look out for it, other times it strikes me automatically.

Yesterday, someone sent me one such picture.

It showed a line of about thirty-five people, young and old, standing in the Sadigur Beis Medrash in Bnei Brak, waiting to give their first ‘Kvittel’ to their new Rebbe.

Disclaimer: Though I knew the Rebbe of Sadigur – he was a beloved Rov here in London – and I was very sad to hear of his Petira, I do not have an opinion on his Tzavoa… nor should I have one… I am not a Chossid of Sadigur – I follow a Derech very different to theirs… nor do I know it’s internal workings and nuance…  so frankly it is none of my business and this writing should not be interpreted as having an opinion…

This picture was not of a Rebbe, is was a picture of Chassidim.

The first thing that stuck out was the older people, people in their upper 70s… standing at the front of the line. I know some of them, and they are no fools. They have successful businesses, and have “been around the block” a few times…

But from those, I couldn’t get my eyes off one of them.

His beard was snow white, yet he stood tall, with a Tehillim in his hand, his brow furrowed in trepidation as he waited to enter the room of his twenty-four year old Rebbe!

These men were waiting, not because there is no other option… nor were they there merely to give support for the younger generation… the expressions on their faces were too real for that…. They were there because they believe in him!

Further proof that דרך הבעל שם טוב is as strong as ever.

At a time when cynicism is so rampant, even popular; show the cynics this picture!

Show it to the ‘Chachomim,’ who study “Chassidic Philosophy” rather than דא”ח or “mysticism” rather than קבלה.

Show it to those who say that Chassidus is in the books and there is no need for a Mashpia “people can figure it out by themselves”…

Show it to those who forget the centrality and absolute need of a Rebbe in our עבודת ה…

Show them this picture!

Chassidim the world over have still ‘got it’. They know that learning Chassidus without a Mashpia is like having all the ingredients for a cake, yet no guidance on quantity needed, nor the tools (mixer) to make the batter.

Chassidim still know that Avdoas Hashem without a Rebbe is like building a small mud house by yourself instead of using a builder to build a far larger one and out of brick!

***

Yet, though inspirational, for me this picture demanded a חשבון הנפש; What is the underlying motivation for our own Hiskashrus… Is it because the Rebbe is our Rebbe? Or is it perhaps to some extent because we have such a big Rebbe? How much am I a Chossid of The Rebbe? and how much am I really just a Chossid of the נשיא דור השביעי the פועל ישועות?

Put in simpler terms; Am I truly dedicated even to that which is beyond my understanding?

Or do I just aim to do enough of what I understand and appreciate that I can justify my not being willing to leave myself alone a bit…

As I prepare for Rosh Hashana these questions could come at a more opportune time…