The Rebbe and the Rebbitzin lived in Nice for almost nine months. There they were able return to a stable daily routine and intensify their efforts to emigrate to the U.S.

As mentioned, Nice had become a center for refugees and many were left without shelter. Although the Rebbe had few resources at his disposal, he did his utmost to aid others who were less fortunate. For example, to receive entry into a hotel, one would have to show that he possessed at least $100. Although the Rebbe himself had little money, he would go out to the streets and advance a family the needed sum so that they could enter a hotel. After the family was admitted, they would return the $100 to the Rebbe who would go out to the street again to find others.

On another occasion, the Italian authorities forbade the private ownership of gold. Whoever possessed gold was required to sell it to the government - needless to say, at a severe loss.

One refugee appealed to the Rebbe for help. He had a significant store of gold. "Would the Rebbe keep his gold for him?" He explained that he was known as a wealthy man and his room would certainly be searched. By contrast, no one would suspect the Rebbe of possessing gold.

The Rebbe agreed. Some time later, the authorities began to search the refugees' dwellings. The Rebbitzin feared that holding the man's fortune might endanger their own lives, for possession of gold was a capital offense. "Perhaps we should transfer it elsewhere," she suggested anxiously.

"No," the Rebbe replied. "This is Jewish money. We will not touch it."

On one occasion, the Rebbitzin9 commented that in the war years, she and the Rebbe were required "to show great mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice) for the observance of the mitzvos." In many instances, the Rebbe's commitment went beyond the letter of the law, entailing risks that the halachah does not require. For example, in Tishrei 5701 (1940), the Rebbe inquired about the possibility of finding an esrog mehudar, a halachically excellent esrog, in Nice. When he discovered that none was available, he entered into a learned discussion with one of the local Rabbis regarding whether one is permitted to risk one's life to observe a positive mitzvah. Obviously, there is no obligation to do so; the question was whether a person is permitted to take the risk or not.

Shortly afterwards, that Rabbi became aware that for the Rebbe, the matter had not been merely an abstract inquiry. The Rebbe was absent from the city for several days. He returned with a glowing smile, carrying two esrogim, one for himself and one for the Rabbi with whom he had discussed the issue. He had journeyed to villages near the war zone in Italy, and there he had found esrogim. Similarly, for the Pesach seder, the Rebbe made a long and dangerous train journey to procure onions to use as karpas for the seder plate.