Editing Asher Sasonka (section)

== With the Rebbe ==
During his first Yechidus with the Rebbe in Tishrei 5725 (1964), he presented the Rebbe with a pack of cigars from Russia. The Rebbe thanked him and said "I don't smoke at all," but nevertheless took one cigar from the package and instructed him to distribute the rest of the cigars in the zal downstairs.

In Sukkos 5725 (1964), the first farbrengen after leaving Russia was held in Rav Yisroel Duchman's sukkah. This farbrengen especially expressed R' Asher's way. The heart and soul friends, R' Asher and [[Rabbi Menachem Mendel Futerfas|R' Mendel Futerfas]], participated. R' Asher, in his holy way, demanded from those at the farbrengen to learn the [[Likkutei Torah]] of the parsha every week and to daven with deliberation. He even added that he felt disappointed, as he expected every tomim in Eretz Hakodesh to know all of [[Tanya]] by heart. R' Mendel, who had a completely different temperament, scolded him to stop being in a state of merirus, and compared it to a story of a person who constantly complained about smelling something unpleasant, until they discovered dirt stuck under his nose. R' Asher immediately responded with his own story, comparing it to travelers who lost their way and suddenly found a sign showing the direction - no matter how it looks, they will follow it because it tells the truth. The farbrengen continued for hours and the elder chassidim never forgot it.

In 5726 (1965), he entered for Yechidus with the Rebbe, during which he presented the Rebbe with a question on the commentary of the "Tiferes Yisroel," and said that if the Rebbe doesn't look at the "Tiferes Yisroel" he would read the words to the Rebbe from the sefer. The Rebbe took the sefer and examined the question, and afterward said that "in the past there were chassidim who didn't look at 'Tiferes Yisroel'" and asked R' Asher if he studies the sefer, noting that "I look at it because it's a good and convenient commentary." R' Asher replied that if the Rebbe looks at the sefer, then he will look at it too.

It is said that upon arriving at 770, the Rebbe drew him very close and would speak with him with great friendship. He was among the group of chassidim with whom the Rebbe would converse directly as friends. R' Asher pleaded for his soul and asked the Rebbe to treat him as a regular chossid. "I am not a friend," he said to the Rebbe, "I want to be a chossid!" The Rebbe agreed to his request and the special closeness ceased.

Upon arriving at 770, he asked the gabboim for permission to be the "shamash" of 770. Though the gabboim firmly refused due to concern for his honor, when they saw how important it was to him, they allowed it, and from then on he became the shamash of 770.

Many remember his brocha for lighting the Chanukah candles which he would make each year before the Rebbe. It wasn't adorned with chazzanus and the like, but with great emotion that moved all who heard it.

Rav Asher Sassonko passed away on 5 Cheshvan 5748 (1987).