Despite the Previous Rebbe's joy at the Rebbe's arrival, his poor health prevented him from coming to greet the Rebbe personally. Instead, he delegated four of his elder chassidim: R. Yisrael Jacobson, R. Shmuel Levitin, R. Eliyahu Simpson, and R. Shlomo Aharon Kazarnovsky. By way of introduction, he told them: "I will reveal to you who he is. He recites Tikkun Chatzos every night. He is proficient in the [Talmud] Bavli by heart, together with [the glosses of] Ran, Rosh, and Rif, the [Talmud] Yerushalmi together with its commentaries, Rambam, and Likkutei Torah with all its references. Go and greet him."

(Significantly, the Previous Rebbe himself did not call the Rebbe for a private meeting until the third day after the Rebbe's arrival. The Rebbe later explained[10] that because the Previous Rebbe was very emotionally sensitive, he was afraid that he would be overcome by excitement. Despite this fact, on 28 Sivan, he sent letters announcing the Rebbe's arrival to the lawyers who had worked for his immigration and likewise to several American Rabbinic leaders.)

   

Notes:

10. (Back to text) Kuntreis Imenu HaMalkah, pps. 59-60, as related by R. Gershon Ber Jacobson.