Editing Simcha Elberg (section)

== His Relationship with the Rebbe ==
Rabbi Elberg at a farbrengen with the Rebbe in the front row. Fourth from right. (His right hand slightly raised)

Rabbi Elberg conversing with the Rebbe at a farbrengen Rabbi Elberg admired the Rebbe even before the Rebbe assumed leadership of Chabad Chassidus. In 1951, when the Rebbe accepted the leadership, Rabbi Elberg wrote about it in "HaPardes" and praised the Rebbe's greatness. Shortly afterward, he wrote about the Rebbe's vigorous activities and about him being a leader in his own right. Throughout the years, Rabbi Elberg maintained contact with the Rebbe and visited 770 frequently. He would participate in the Rebbe's major farbrengens and between talks would converse with the Rebbe about the topics discussed during the farbrengen.

Over time, Rabbi Elberg's friendly relationship with the Rebbe strengthened, and he was permitted to enter the Rebbe's room even at times not designated for yechidus (private audience). Their meetings were longer than usual. When the Rebbe stopped receiving people for yechidus, a table would be arranged in "Gan Eden HaTachton" (the corridor before the Rebbe's room in 770), where their meeting would take place. The Rebbe and Rabbi Elberg also corresponded extensively on various halachic topics, including the content of the Rebbe's talks at farbrengens.

In one of his letters, dealing with the matter of matzah ashirah (enriched matzah), he writes to the Rebbe:<blockquote>"To His Honor, the Rebbe shlita of Lubavitch. In his holy talk on Motzaei Pesach which I merited to hear, the Rebbe cited the words of the Rav in Shulchan Aruch siman 462 who wrote two reasons why one cannot fulfill the obligation with matzah ashirah... I hereby present to the Rebbe my halachic article that I wrote... May the Rebbe cast his holy eyes upon it and my reward will be great. And how greatly my heart would rejoice if he would inform me of his great opinion about it... With all respect and Torah honor, one who bows before your holy majesty." — Book "Shalmei Simcha," part four, siman 10</blockquote>At the Rebbe's request, he would regularly participate and speak at Torah gatherings held after the holidays at 770. In the days following the gathering, the Rebbe would inquire about the Torah novellae he presented and would even discuss them with him.

On Rosh Chodesh Nissan 1974, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein came for a yechidus with the Rebbe, and Rabbi Elberg accompanied him and witnessed the Torah discussion between them, which lasted about an hour.

In 1988, after the passing of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, Rabbi Elberg came to comfort the Rebbe. Their conversation focused on the fact that there is no mention of Abraham or Isaac eulogizing Sarah after her passing.

On 27 Teves 1991, he passed by during the dollar distribution and the Rebbe smiled at him and said: "Among all the young men?!" On that occasion, he presented the Rebbe with a new book he had published and also a "pidyon nefesh" letter with names for the Rebbe to pray for. The Rebbe spoke with him about a "Kol Koreh" (proclamation) that was issued at that time by "Agudas HaRabbanim."

==== Milan ====
In the year 5720 (1960), Rabbi Elberg visited the city of Milan and met with the Rebbe's emissary in the city, Rabbi Gershon Mendel Garelik. During the meeting, to which city dignitaries were invited, Rabbi Elberg gave a speech in which he expressed surprise about the extensive publicity surrounding the 200th anniversary of the Baal Shem Tov's passing, which fell that year. Rabbi Garelik, who knew how much the Rebbe was involved in this matter, interrupted Rabbi Elberg's speech and said to him: "If someone stood up and spoke about your father, you would protest against him, so what should I do when you spoke this way about my father?" At the end of the meal, the two rabbis parted in a tense atmosphere. Shortly afterward, Rabbi Garelik received a letter from Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Eizik Hodakov, the Rebbe's personal secretary, stating that Rabbi Elberg had described the courage of the Rebbe's emissaries with exceptional admiration.

This event greatly strengthened the connection between Rabbi Elberg and the Rebbe, and as a result, Rabbi Garelik received instructions from the Rebbe that whenever he visited New York, he should call Rabbi Elberg to inquire about his welfare.

One of Rabbi Elberg's visits to Milan was during the yeshiva break period when the students went out for activities to spread the wellsprings of Chassidus with the Mitzvah Tank ("Tankists"). While in Milan, Rabbi Elberg received instructions from the Rebbe's secretariat to speak with the students about Torah matters and even to be photographed with them.