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Av 5774 ISSUE 22 (99)
שבעים שנה להסתלקות כ"ק הרב הגאון והחסיד והמקובל וכו' ר' לוי יצחק ז"ל שניאורסאהן
Strength in the face of Tyranny In the Rebbe's Words
Interview with Rabbi Shlomo Cunin
בס“ד
2 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER "יהפכו ימים אלו לששון ולשמחה, ולמועדים טובים"
ערב ת"ב ]=תשעה באב[ שבו נולד משיח " צדקנו" –
וצום החמישי . . " יהי' לבית יהודה לששון ולשמחה ולמועדים טובים, והאמת והשלום אהבו..."
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א י י ע ע ה ה
Av 5774 | 5 א י י ע ע ה ה
6 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER “
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כתבתיתתתותשתתת ת תשת ת
נ"ע,
נ"ע" , "שהררלי"צ הי' חסידו הכי מסור ואשר",
8 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER לעבן מיט‘ן רבי‘ן
"אין לעכב כלל. וי"ל ]ויוציא לאור[ בהקדם כפשוט. ות"ח מקול"ע ]תשואת חן מקרב ולב עמוק[ מראש. אזעה"צ ]אזכיר על הציון[."
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12 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER אגרות קודש
Av 5774 | 13 אגרות קודש
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Av 5774 | 15 Throughout the ages the Jewish Nation has always possessed great personalities who learnt and taught the masses both the revealed and hidden aspects of the Torah. Usually these teachings were transcribed, printed and passed down through the generations, further enriching the voluminous and ever-growing library of Jewish literature.
Few, though, can be attributed with a work that has left an indelible mark on all future generations. Fewer, still, are those who can be considered innovators of an entirely novel and unprecedented approach to understanding Torah, be it nigleh or nistar.
The Rebbe’s father, Horav Hagaon Reb Levi Yitzchak opened a new gateway to understanding the depths of pnimiyus hatorah, combining the aspects of “Remez” and “Sod” in a way not known until his time.
The following article does not serve as an attempt at analyzing Rav Levi Yitchak’s contribution to the study of Sod. Rather, it is the story of how his Torah which we have today was written and of these writings’ miraculous journey from Khazakhstan to New York.
Special Thanks to Rabbi Chaim Shaul Brook for his assistance in obtaining the information, some of which has never-before been published; and to Rabbi Dovid Dubov and Rabbi Michoel Seligson for their assistance as well.
16 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER Precious Little of A Vast Treasure
Av 5774 | 17 ISH HATORAH As the Rov of Yekatrinislav, Rav Levi Yitzchak regularly delivered shiurim and talks on various occasions. On Shabbos The Rov’s Library afternoons following mincha, large crowds would gather to hear his lengthy Mrs. Dina Shirinov grew up in “The Rov told my father that the discourses usually based on Midrashim Yekatrinislav during the 5690’s and police had already been by him and from the weekly parsha. He would she recounts some of her memories he knew that he would be arrested elaborate using terms and concepts from from those times. From her any day. He told my father to watch Kabala and often expounded on various account we have some idea of what over his library, entrusting him as pieces from Zohar, leaving the listeners transpired with Rav Levi Ytizchak’s well with specific items which the amazed at the lofty ideas being presented vast library during the time of his Rov deemed precious, among them a to them. arrest: pair of candlesticks. It is told that on one occasion, when the “My father, Reb Menachem “Soon after, the Rov was arrested. large crowd became a bit oppressive, Ganzburg, davened in Rav Levi During the nights that followed, Rav Levi Yitzchak expressed his wonder: Yitzchak’s shul and was devoted boxes upon boxes of seforim were “Why do you all push if there is only so to him heart and soul. As a child, brought over from the Rov’s library much of what is being said that one can I would often visit the Rov’s house and stored in a special room in our possibly hope to understand?!” where the Rebbe’s mother, Rebbetzin house. I distinctly remember that Chana, would receive me warmly. I some of the seforim were beautifully One of those present replied by quoting remember her as a very aristocratic bound in leather and had a very from the Haggada: “If He had only woman who was constantly visited royal look. The precious items with brought us before Har Sinai, but had not by neighbors who loved to spend which my father was entrusted were given us the Torah, Dayeinu – it would be time with her, though she almost buried under a tall tree behind our sufficient!” never visited others in their homes; house. Reb Chaim Leib Itkin, a nephew of she was on another level. “Following the war we returned Rav Levi Yitzchak, visited Yekatrinislav “Sometimes Rebbetzin Chana to Yekatrinislav but we found no quite often and gives us the following would offer us stamps for our stamp remnants of the library. In addition description: collection. She received letters from we weren’t able to uncover the items “My uncle, Rav Levi Yitzchak, had a her sons and she allowed us to tear my father had buried before the war.” large house which was always open to the stamps off the envelopes. She the public. A large hall spanned the would show us these letters, often entire length of the house, and many saying with more than a touch farbrengens and other gatherings were of pride ‘This is from my son; he held there. A large library was also on excels in his studies…’ premises where he would spend many “One day in 5699 a hours of his day studying and writing. messenger from the “There was one shul in which he Rov showed up at customarily davened as Rov of the city our door with a but on the second day of Yom Tov, out of summons for my deference to the rest of the community, father. I ran to he would go daven in the other shul. the electrical “One Shabbos I came to shul to daven factory where and upon entering, before I had a chance my father was to sit down, the entire shul suddenly working and let sprang to their feet. Unsure of what him know the was going on, I suddenly noticed Rav Rov wanted to Levi Yitzchak standing at my side and see him right handing me a siddur. I was astounded at away. both his humility and the congregation’s
18 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER tremendous respect and honor with which they accorded him. “On special days such as Yud-Tes Kislev, Purim, Simchas Torah, and the like, hundreds of people would throng his house and a joyous farbrengen would take place. Words of Torah flowed continuously and at hour intervals, l’chayim would be distributed and niggunim would be sung. These farbrengens would often last for up to five hours.” Rav Levi Yitzchak would often sit and write for hours at a time, filling pages upon pages with profound Chiddushei The home of Rav Levi Yitzchok Torah. He would also write short notes and Rebbetzin Chana in the margins of his seforim. These notes in Nikolayev, Ukraine. were lost during the war together with the rest of his library (see sidebar). In HARDSHIPS OF EXILE A week before Pesach I travelled to the addition he spent much time penning city of Kzyl-Orda and brought back answers to questions in Halacha, Kabala On 9 Nissan 5699, Rav Levi Yitzchak two notebooks, powder with which to and Chassidus. was arrested and after nine months of prepare ink, and a small bottle to serve imprisonment he was tried in Moscow as an inkwell. This gave my husband and sentenced to five years of exile in indescribable joy, and he immediately Central Asia. Before Pesach of 5700, began writing. He took to the writing with Hundreds of people Rebbetzin Chana travelled to Chile and more enthusiasm than to eating the bread would throng his house joined her husband in his place of exile that I had brought for him after such a bringing together a Zohar, Medrash long and arduous hunger period. and a joyous farbrengen Rabbah and a few other basic seforim. would take place; This was in addition to a few seforim she had managed to send him beforehand. words of Torah flowed The following is an excerpt from continuously… Rebbetzin Chana’s memoirs: 2 Nissan 5708 Today, 2 Nissan, reminded me of the first In an article written anonymously by the time that I travelled to my husband’s place Frierdiker Rebbe1 in which he describes of exile for Passover. The year was 5700. Rav Levi Yitzchak’s “great genius” in Physically, my husband was not well on nigleh, “wondrous proficiency” in Kabala this day. It was only two months after and “deep intellectual understanding” the grueling trip to exile, and the living in Chassidus, the Frierdiker Rebbe also conditions there were worse than I had makes note of Reb Levik’s “vast writings imagined they would be. Yet on this day, in nigleh and nistar”. he forgot about everything. Tragically, these writings were lost “Today is Beis Nissan,” he stated. “It during the war. In addition many of these would be proper to deliver a Chasidic manuscripts were confiscated during his discourse—but there aren’t too many arrest and till today their whereabouts are listeners. I would like to pen a dissertation unknown. The only writings from Rav but, alas, there is no paper on which to Levi Yitzchak which survived the pre-war write. Contemplation will need to suffice years are the many letters written to his may Hashem grant me the strength to son, the Rebbe. think.” Photo: Jem/ T he Living Archive / 112724 Photo:
Av 5774 | 19 “…There aren’t too many listeners. I would like to In the sicha of Chof Av, 5729 the Rebbe describes at greater length the hardships pen a dissertation but, alas, there is no paper on entailed in writing chidushei Torah while which to write. Contemplation will need to suffice; in golus: may Hashem grant me the strength to think…” “It has been told over many a time that the baal-hahilulo was sent into Taking her husband’s reaction to heart, in the holy work of Rav Levi Yitzchak, exile as a consequence for his efforts in Rebbetzin Chana went out to gather the Rebbe describes: strengthening and spreading Yiddishkeit everywhere within his reach. In his special herbs and roots that grew nearby. “Even while exiled to a place far removed place of exile there were no Yidden and These she later ground by hand and and remote from Yidden and Yiddishkeit, definitely no way of receiving seforim. soaked them in water until she produced even in a hard situation physically The place was so forsaken that there homemade ink. Thanks to her dedicated speaking, without the means of acquiring wasn’t even a possibility of procuring ink efforts, Rav Levi Yitzchak was able to any ‘luxuries’, most importantly when and paper with which to write and one jot down his Torah insights within the there was no ink or paper, she herself had to come up with different ways to margins of the few seforim that Rebbetzin went and collected various grasses and make homemade ink. Indeed this is what Chana had brought him, thereby produced from them ink and found small my mother did, as told many times. committing, albeit in brief, his thoughts scraps of paper and as she herself related for posterity. later, this was something that entailed “Because he had no paper, he wrote his From that day on, whenever paper and self-sacrifice on her part. chidushei Torah within the margins of the seforim. He himself was not able ink were available, Rav Levi Yitzchak “Because paper was very scarce and to bring any seforim with him because could always be found writing. Immersed hard to come by, my father wrote his he was sent as a prisoner and was almost constantly in thought, Rav Levi chidushei Torah in the margins of the permitted to bring with him only his Yitzchak yearned to share his thoughts few seforim in his possession and from most necessary belongings. Obviously with others – something which was these writings, Likuttei Levi Yitzchak was the idea that seforim were most necessary virtually impossible in that forsaken printed.” village. He contented himself instead with was not really accepted by recording his Torah novella on paper. those who sent him into golus. He therefore Once as Rebbetzin Chana was conversing only had in with a neighbor, she suddenly heard Rav Levi Yitzchak exclaim: “Ah! What I just wrote now is truly incredible!” The Tziyon of Horav Levi On a different occasion, Rebbetzin Yitzchok. Chana ventured to ask her husband why he did not transcribe the varied events of his vibrant life – his communal work, his lectures and talks, his tribulations in jail and exile, and more. Rav Levi Yitzchak replied, “It would be a shame to waste a single second of my time on such matters. They are trivial things, truly insignificant.” In the sicha of Vov Tishrei 5750, in depicting the vital role Rebbetzin Chana played
20 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER In a sicha on Chof-Av, 5723 the Rebbe relates: As told once before, when my father was in golus he did not initially possess any seforim. After a while he did receive a few seforim, among them a Zohar. Paper was not to be found nor ink, so my mother [shetichye] prepared ink for him. Being that she didn’t specialize in making ink, we therefore find that the color in which the ha’aros are written (in the margins of the Zohar) varies.
his possession a few seforim which my “Miraculously some of these seforim and them to celebrate Pesach in Alma-Ata. mother had managed to bring him and papers containing these ha’aros eventually However, this was not to be. Owing to a due to the lack of seforim he was forced made their way here.” series of complex obstacles, the matter to rely on his own memory when quoting dragged on for more than six weeks. Histalkus sources for the possibility of going to a On the Thursday after Pesach, the Rov In 5704, as the five years of Rav Levi library, as is customary here, or using and Rebbetzin finally arrived in Alma- Yitzchok’s term of exile were nearing one’s own seforim to check the original Ata. The community in Alma-Ata completion, his physical condition began was impossible for him in his situation. provided for the Rov and Rebbetzin’s to deteriorate. Though unaware of this, “It is true that the Gemara in Makkos physical and financial needs in a a serious illness was spreading through states that when one goes into exile, generous and honorable manner. his body, severely weakening him. The his teacher is sent with him in order to Rov, with the Rebbetzin Chana, eagerly Rav Levi Yitzchok’s condition worsened provide him with the ability to study looked forward to the day they would be steadily. Torah. The golus which my father was in free again. But then a distressing report however, was a golus within a golus and reached them: no prisoner would be “It is time to prepare for he was not able to conduct himself in freed until after the war ended, and even any way similar to those exiled to the ir the journey to the other then, they would be permitted to settle miklat. only in cities and towns that did not have side…” Those were his “Due to his situation, he was forced to sizeable populations. last audible words. write in the margins of the few seforim The Chassidim convened an emergency he had which greatly limited the amount meeting of all the Rov’s admirers in On Tuesday night, the eve of 20 he was able to write. Also he was limited Alma-Ata, wherein it was decided Menachem-Av, the Rov lay with his eyes to the small amounts of ink my mother immediately to begin intensive efforts to closed, his lips moving incessantly, yet managed to produce herself, or with what secure the Rov’s release. Acquiring all of silently. Suddenly Rav Levi Yitzchak they were able to procure from elsewhere. the necessary papers cost a fortune. opened his eyes, asked for some water In addition, there were further difficulties to wash his hands, and said: “It is time Rav Levi Yitzchok and Rebbetzin Chana with not being able to check up sources, to prepare for the journey to the other had assumed that the entire process would as mentioned. side…” be finished in just a few weeks, enabling
Av 5774 | 21 When it came time for her to leave Russia Reb Pinye began intense efforts to have in 5707, she feared the seforim would be the seforim brought to New York. confiscated at the border and she was Towards the end of 5719, Reb Pinye forced to leave them with a relative by heard of a man by the name of Reb the name of Reb Bentzion Yanovsky. In a Moshe Shub who was planning a trip to letter to Reb Yaakov Landau in the year Moscow. He contacted him and told him 5709, the Rebbe makes mention of this: about the three volumes of the Zohar “My mother did not manage to bring which Rebbetzin Chana had left in the here any ksavim of my father.” possession of Reb Bentzion. Reb Pinye Those were his last audible words. For years, the whereabouts of these requested that Reb Moshe meet this man The next morning, his condition became seforim remained unknown. in the Marina Roschtza shul in Moscow critical. and receive the seforim from him. In the late afternoon, when his condition In a rare letter from Reb Pinye to deteriorated further, a doctor was Rebbetzin Chana dated Rosh Chodesh summoned and he prescribed several Cheshvan (presumably in the year 5720) medicines to ease Rav Levi Yitzchak’s we are offered a clear account of what suffering. Rav Levi Yitzchak did, in fact, transpired: take some of the medicine. “Two years ago, during my visit with As the hours went by, Rebbetzin Chana you, you spoke of the sifrei haZohar felt overcome by exhaustion. Knowing containing marginal notes from your that friends would not leave the Rov’s husband that were left behind in Moscow. bedside for a moment, she went to take You said that these manuscripts serve a short rest, hoping to conserve some as the only remembrance of his vast energy to resume her watch at the Rov’s Reb Pinye Althaus writings. side. When she arose a half-hour later, “I must admit that I was very much the house was filled with mourners… Reb Pinye Althaus was a chossid from affected by your words and I decided that I would not rest until I managed to Reb Bentzion didn’t say Eretz Yisrael who grew up in Nikolayev and thus had a very special connection extricate the seforim. a word, nor did he ask with Rebbetzin Chana. During one of “At the time I contacted the Israeli about any of us; rather his visits with her in 5718, Rebbetzin foreign ministry to try working through Chana brought up more than once in their people but your son, the Rebbe his faced changed conversation how pained she was at the shlit”a felt that such avenues of action colors and he retreated fact that her husband’s ksavim were still may negatively affect the keeper of the in Russia and how worried she was as to seforim, namely Reb Bentzion Kluvgant. Thursday at noon, the funeral procession their whereabouts. She also mentioned “I have recently received word that my began from the Rov’s house. The in passing the name of the person, Reb efforts in this matter have been crowned mourners walked in brooding silence. A Bentzion Kluvgant, with whom she with success. An acquaintance of mine tower of supreme spiritual strength was had left the seforim. Reb Pinye assured travelled to Russia for the Yomim Tovim gone; a leader’s voice was silenced. Rebbetzin Chana that he would do all he and I told him the entire story and could to recover the seforim. REDEEMING THE KSAVIM Upon leaving Alma-Ata following Rav Levi Yitzchok’s histalkus, Rebbetzin Chana managed to take some of the seforim in which he had written his ha’aros together with her to Moscow. Bringing the seforim out of Kazakhstan entailed tremendous mesiras nefesh. Photo: Jem/ T he Living Archive / 2969 Photo: A handwritten note of Horav Levi Yitzchok.
22 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER requested that he do all he can in the with the great enthusiasm, with which of the fact that the Tanya had arrived matter. It was very hard; it’s quite difficult my father involved himself in the above- recently. to describe the fear in which Anash live said.” The Tanya itself was held for many years in Russia. The Rebbe ends off the letter with by a staunch admirer and dedicated “Indeed my acquaintance managed to abundant brachos. talmid of Rav Levi Yitzchok, Reb Hirshel locate Reb Bentzion and requested the The first time the Rebbe publicly Rabinowitz. Reb Hirshel, along with his seforim in my name. Reb Bentzion didn’t mentioned the arrival of the seforim younger brother, Reb Mendel, joined say a word, nor did he ask about any of was during the Shabbos farbrengen of Rav Levi Yitzchok in his final years us; rather his face changed colors and he Beshalach, on Tu B’Shevat, 5720, at least and assisted the Rov and his Rebbetzin retreated. a month and a half after their arrival. immensely in various ways (see “The following day he came to shul and At that farbrengen, the Rebbe also Rebbetzin Chana’s memoirs part 4, 23). managed to whisper to my acquaintance expounded on a ha’ara from his father Rav Levi Yitzchok bequeathed some of in passing that he had left the seforim in on the Zohar pertaining to that week’s his precious belongings to Reb Hirshel, one of the rooms of the building. Out of parsha. It should be noted that this day including his walking-stick, which Reb fear of trying to smuggle out the seforim marked exactly twenty years since Reb Hirshel treasured as his most prized himself, my acquaintance left the bundle Levik was sent into golus. possession for the rest of his life. Reb Hirshel also obtained the Rov’s Tanya in the Israeli Consulate and they will Before Chof Av, 5725, additional ksavim arrange for them to be transported to which included many ha’oros on the from Rav Levi Yitzchak reached the margins, keeping it safely Eretz Yisrael. I, on my part, will do all I Rebbe. During the farbrengen on can to hasten the process. with him at all Chof Av that year, the Rebbe said the times. “I am overjoyed that the great zechus of following: redeeming your husband’s manuscripts “On 15 Av of this year, a few old has been my lot”. manuscripts of Chassidus arrived here; After the seforim were finally brought among the manuscripts were a few to Eretz Yisrael, new complications pages and notebooks, including arose. Apparently there were those who notebooks from my father, the said the seforim belonged to the Israeli baal hayortzeit. Government and that they belonged in “I do not know if the person the national museum. Only after Reb who sent them knew what Moshe threatened to bring the case they were or to whom before the Israeli Supreme Court were the they are accredited. From seforim finally turned over to Lubavitch. what I have managed Reb Pinye brought the seforim to the to see, they are mainly Rebbe in 5720. Kabbalistic explanations on In a letter dated 3 Teves, 5720, the Rebbe Mishna, Gemara and Zohar. thanks Reb Moshe profusely for his In addition, there is also a separate tireless efforts: page in which he explains his name and “I hereby wish to express from the his imprisonment and exile according to Kabala.” (During the farbrengen the The shul Horav depth of my heart my gratitude to him Levi Yitzchok was the Rov in. for his efforts and actions regarding Rebbe expounded on this reshima.) This building now serves as a Jewish orphanage under the auspices of Chabad Lubavitch. the salvation of the volumes of Zohar The Tanya containing the notes of my father which That same year, a woman by the name of Years later, Reb Hirshel was have just reached me. Doba Rivka Shaykevitz emigrated from approached by a Chossid, Reb Moshe “In addition to the greatness of Russia to Eretz Yisrael, bringing with Katzanelenboigen, who requested that saving divrei Torah in and of itself, her a Tanya in which there were ha’aros he give him the Tanya so that it could understandably with regard to myself from Rav Levi Yitzchak. This Tanya only be brought to the Rebbe in the United there is a personal aspect as well, as reached the Rebbe in 5727, and in the States, and Reb Hirshel readily agreed. with all things pertaining to ancestral maamar of Chof Av that year, “Vehaya Reb Moshe later related (Kfar Chabad inheritance; especially when I conjure in Eikev”, the Rebbe quoted an explanation Magazine issue 774) that after his release my memory the toil and effort, together from one of these ha’aros and made note from prison, he heard about the Tanya
Av 5774 | 23 of Rav Levi Yitzchok in Reb Hirshel’s “When I entered [the Rebbe] asked the margins…” possession. Reb Moshe, then living in me if Schusterman[’s printing press] is As a preface to the Moscow, took a flight to Chernovich, working today. I answered ‘yes’, and [the above seforim, there Ukraine, where Reb Hirshel was at Rebbe] said, ‘If so, please give this [the appeared a reshima the time, and told him that Mrs. Doba Zohar containing his father’s notes on the written by Rav Levi Shaykevitz would soon be leaving the margins] to them and ask that they begin Yitzchok in which Soviet Union. This could serve as a rare working on [preparing] it today…” he offers a mystical opportunity to finally transfer the Tanya Later that evening during the farbrengen, explanation on each to the Rebbe in New York, as exit-visas the Rebbe expounded upon one of his of the details of his from behind the Iron Curtain were very father’s ha’aros on Zohar, Bereishis. imprisonment and uncommon in those days. Over the next few days, the Rebbe would exile, and how they With the Tanya in hand, Reb Moshe periodically ask Rabbi Groner for an all connect with his traveled to Riga where Mrs. Shaykevitz update on the progress of the work. On name. In addition, his lived, who in turn smuggled the Tanya Rosh Chodesh Elul, the Rebbe also gave photograph was also out to the other side of the Curtain at his father’s Tanya with ha’aros in order to published; the only great risk. When the officials at customs- be prepared for publishing. known photograph control found the Tanya hidden in of his at the time, her clothing and asked her about the taken after his long, priceless book, Mrs. Shaykevitz pleaded “Thank G-d, I was tormenting exile. (Upon with them to allow her to keep it with seeing this photograph, her, explaining that this was her personal privileged to have the the Rebbe commented indicating ;"אאמו"ר ז"ל?" ,prayer-book. great, wondrous zechus When she reached Kfar Chabad, Israel in receiving some of the disbelief at the extent of with the prized possession in hand, her his suffering and the obvious toll it took son-in-law immediately wrote to the writings of my father, as on his health). Rebbe who instructed that they send it well as a few seforim… One year later, in 5731, another two over to the United States with a certain seforim were published: the second individual. volume of Likutei Levi Yitzchok on “My Great Wondrous Zechus” A short while later, Mrs. Shaykevitz Zohar, Shemos-Devarim; and Toras Levi Approximately one year later, on Rosh herself was privileged to travel to New Yitzchok – explanations on Shas; Mishna Chodesh Av, two seforim of Rav Levi York and meet the Rebbe in yechidus, and Gemora. The latter was from his Yitzchok were published under the and she asked the Rebbe if the precious works written in notebooks (as opposed title “Likutei Levi Yitzchok”, in time sefer indeed reached him. “What?” the to all the previous seforim which were for his twenty-sixth yortzeit. The first Rebbe replied in surprise, “They didn’t collected from the margins of the seforim one contained his ha’aros on Tanya, and tell you already?” he used). the second had his ha’aros on Zohar, In time for Chof Av, 5732, another Bereishis. PUBLISHING THE volume of Likutei Levi Yitzchok was TREASURE Although in those years the Rebbe no published including explanations on longer personally wrote and signed the pesukim in Tanach and maamorei Chazal, The sweat and toil of Rav Levi Yitzchok introductions to Kehos seforim, here the as well as a collection of letters written and his dedicated Rebbetzin to commit Rebbe made an exception. to the Rebbe spanning a wide array of his chiddushei Torah to paper with subjects in nigleh and nistar. the greatest mesirus nefesh did not go In a rare display of affection, the Rebbe unrewarded. Years later, their son, our begins: In 5733, Rabbi Yehoshua Mondshine Rebbe, would publish these great works, “Thank G-d, I was privileged to have the compiled a comprehensive mafteach to making them available for all to study great, wondrous zechus, in receiving some Rav Levi Yitzchok’s seforim. Considering and enjoy for generations to come. of the writings of my father, as well as a the number of entrees included in this few seforim which my mother, Rebbetzin index, one gets a small glimpse into the On Chof Av, 5729 the Rebbe called Rabbi Chana bas HoRav Meir Shlomo brought breadth and depth of Rav Levi Yitzchok’s Groner into his room with a special to him when she received permission to vast knowledge, covering close to two request. Rabbi Groner records in his travel and join him in his place of exile – thousand subjects and more than one diary: in some of which he wrote brief notes on thousand pesukim and maamorei Chazal.
24 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER the Rebbe instructed the time of his arrest, where he appears that it also be in much better health. The Rebbe agreed published in a to have the two photographs published at booklet, along with the beginning of the sefer (see full story the “Luach Hatikun” in Derher Magazine, Av 5773). – corrections to the Yet to Come previous seforim of Rav Levi Yitzchok. The Rebbe Unfortunately, the writings of Rav Levi also brought a few letters Yitzchok that reached the shores of the from his home that were to be United States and were subsequently added to the booklet as well. published are a mere fraction of his written works. In one instance, the Still two years later, a few more Rebbe mentioned that he had written of Rav Levi Yitzchok’s writings thousands of pages while serving as Rov were found including a discourse of Yekatrinislav! on Purim, and the Rebbe instructed that they be published in a booklet in On Vov Tishrei, 5750, the Rebbe spoke a time for Purim, 5743. lengthy sicha recounting the story of his father’s arrest and the mesiras nefesh of Finally, in 5748, a new edition of all Rav his mother in assisting him with writing Levi Yitzchok’s seforim was published, down his Torah-thoughts. including the content of all the booklets which had been published since the first The Rebbe concluded: One printing. It is a real pity that the remainder of his will also New Light writings have not yet reached us. There stand struck were many more writings of his (aside From the time these seforim were considering his for those he wrote on the margins of printed, the Rebbe frequently quoted phenomenal memory, while his seforim which my mother herself from them at farbrengens, casting light he cites hundreds of sources to seforim fearlessly brought to Moscow, from where on the scholarly words of his father, he did not have with him in exile, and they were subsequently sent here). which were otherwise difficult for the nevertheless, the quotation is usually average person to properly understand, In fact, there was one individual, a one-hundred percent accurate. considering the condense style of “Tomim” who learned in Tomchei In a Ksav Yad Kodesh written to Rabbi writing he was forced to use. In fact, Tmimim, who had many of the writings Mondshine, the Rebbe personally each Shabbos, the Rebbe would sit at the in his possession, but he did not hold on thanked him for his efforts: farbrengen with the Likutei Levi Yitzchok to them in fear of the danger it entailed. placed on the table before him. Until today, tens, perhaps hundreds, of "ת"ח על עריכת מפתח הענינים ללקלוי"צ וכו' pages of my father’s writings are still at ועל הזריזות בזה וכו'." In honor of forty years of the Rebbe’s some unknown location in Russia. “Thanks for compiling the mafteach to nesius – Yud Shevat, 5750, the staff of Yehi ratzon that we will soon merit the Likutei Levi Yitzchok etc.; and for doing Vaad Hanochos B’Lahak compiled a sefer fulfillment of “Uva’u ha’oivdim be’eretz so swiftly etc.” collecting all the Rebbe’s sichos where he expounds upon his father’s ha’aros Ashur” – very soon these writings will be The Rebbe also gave him mashke at the on Zohar, Bereishis. The name of the found and we will be able to study from Chof Av farbrengen, 5733. sefer, approved by the Rebbe, is Toras them. In fact, our hachlota that we will Some years later, in 5739, the librarian Menachem – Tiferes Levi Yitzchok. At study from them in due time actually in the Rebbe’s library found a Yalkut the beginning of the sefer, there is an hastens the time when we will be able to Shimoini containing Rav Levi Yitzchok’s interesting preface with an overview search for these writings and eventually ha’aros on the margins, as well as a paper of Rav Levi Yitzchok’s Torah and the find them! with a handwritten essay on Gemora Rebbe’s explanation on it. Gittin. The Rebbe instructed that they 1. Kovetz Lubavitch vol. 4 page 62. The Rebbe When it came time to print the second revealed that the Frierdiker Rebbe had written it, both be immediately published as a volume on Shemos, a new photograph a few years after the Histalkus of the Frierdiker booklet. Rebbe. of Rav Levi Yitzchok had been recovered Two years later, an addition to the from the former Soviet Union, taken at dissertation on Gittin was found, and
Av 5774 | 25 Strength in the face of Tyranny The following collection, unique in style, captures an interesting theme related to Chof Av: Although the Rebbe generally avoided discussing personal matters during sichos, there were a quite few occasions where the Rebbe did speak of his illustrious father. Aside for the Torah-writings of his father which were discussed at almost every Shabbos farbrengen, there were those times when the Rebbe related a story or anecdote from him, casting light on the immense reverence and esteem the Rebbe accorded him with.
A Yortzeit for All home, including the bravery to stand In a response to those who expressed up for true Yiddishkeit even in the most opposition and fought against the Rebbe’s We’ll begin with the Rebbe’s explanation fearsome times: mivtzoim, the Rebbe mentioned: of the nature of Chof Av, Rav Levi Yitzchok’s yortzeit, and its relevance to all: In my youth, my father hired a I was raised during the time of the teacher for my two brothers and me. Yevsektzia and was educated that one My father’s yortzeit is seemingly a He lived in our home, and my father need not be afraid of them. Despite personal matter; one of relevance only set aside a special room for him. The the fact that they were capable of to me. But, when taking into account reason why my father wished that he bestowing harsh threats, and even the sequence of events in the years reside in our home was in order that carrying out those threats; including leading up to his passing, we find that the children learn from his way of life sending you to Siberia!3 the natural reason for his shortened and personal conduct as well; not just life was due to the pain and suffering Once, while speaking about the the subject matter that he taught us. he endured in exile, itself a result of dangerous situation in Eretz Yisroel, the Once, I walked into my teacher’s room his efforts in the realm of spreading Rebbe commented: on Tisha B’Av and I found him sitting Yiddishkeit to all Jews with mesirus and studying Torah! When I asked Hashem helped me that (although nefesh. Hence, his passing is indeed him, in a respectful manner, “How not by my choice) I was the firstborn pertinent to all of the Jewish people.1 can you do this?” he replied: “When I son to my father, who later became reach the next world, I know that they the Chief Rabbi of Yekatrinoslav. In Education from those days there were arguments and an Early Age will punish me either way. I would be much happier if the punishment will quarrels that arose which needed On a number of occasions throughout be on account of learning Torah on combat, and in order to do so one the years, the Rebbe made mention of the Tisha B’Av!”2 needed to know Russian. I was special chinuch he received in his father’s charged with the task of responding to
26 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER The Rebbe while Davening at the Omud on Chof Av 5746.
Photo: Jem/The Living Archive / 147583
these quarrels, as the eldest son of the questioned about matters of religion fondly recalls his father’s lively Yud-Tes chief rabbi… And so, for some 60-65 and they harassed and annoyed me. Kislev farbrengen: years now, I am already accustomed No matter what these people want to In the city where my father served to the fact that one need not wait do to me now, they will not surpass as Rov he had many opponents, until he is adorned with honorary the [annoyance I endured with the] because he used to teach Chassidus titles; sitting quietly on the side is members of the Yevesktzia! I am not and instituted various halachic unacceptable and is not the way I intimidated by their threats, and I will stringencies in the city. was raised! I hold steadfast to the not give up [my stand] on anything education I received at home that so central to the continuity of Am Once, an opponent of his informed when it comes to matters of life-and- Yisroel.5 on him to the governor of the region, death, one must act!4 claiming that the community has chosen a Rov who drinks excessively In another instance, the Rebbe responded and tears off people’s garments! to threats he received to his efforts in I was charged with the Mihu Yehudi: task of responding to these The Chief of Police was quite quarrels, as the eldest son surprised to hear that the majority of Their harassing me will be of no use, the Jewish community would choose for I will not let up. This is not the first of the Chief Rabbi… such a person as Rov, and he sent one time I’ve been subject to harassment; of his agents to my father’s home to I was born in a communist country investigate the matter. and my father was the chief rabbi of Yud-Tes Kislev Yekatrinoslav. Being the eldest in the Celebration When the agent reached my father’s family and fluent in Russian, I was The following story was related by the home, he found the Rov sitting and sent to the Yevsektzia where I was Rebbe more than once, in which he learning; no alcohol in sight and
Av 5774 | 27 Photo: Jem/ T he Living Archive / 23871 Photo: The Rebbe distributes a kuntres on Vov Tishrei 5750.
all looked just fine! The agent was had recently returned from a trip to completely confused and asked my Lubavitch.) The end result was that father about the entire episode, but the sleeve turned up in my father’s my father replied that he had no hand, and the remainder of the sirtuk inkling of what he was speaking. in the other Chossid’s hand…6 Later on the truth came to light; there The agent was was indeed some basis to the story: Motzoei Yom Kippur On Yud-Tes Kislev there was a During a Yom Tov meal in the Frierdiker completely farbrengen, and the participants Rebbe’s apartment, the Rebbe was confused and asked really farbrenged well (“gut asked whether his father got involved in farbracht”). In good, high spirit, my building a sukka on Motzoei Yom Kippur, my father about the father repeated words of Chassidus and the Rebbe responded: and the farbrengen went on till the It seems that he did not, because entire episode, but late hours of the night. In those days, my father was preoccupied with my father replied Chassidim had the custom that as farbrenging on Motzoei Yom Kippur.7 morning neared, at the end of a In Rebbetzin Chana’s diary, she vividly that he had no farbrengen, they would remove their describes her husband’s special, joyous jackets and break out in a dance. On inkling of what he mood on Motzoei Yom Kippur, in that particular Yud-Tes Kislev, it contrast to the solemn feeling earlier that was speaking seems that one of the participants day: refused to remove his jacket, so my father attempted to “help” him. (My When my husband would return father was in good spirits; he wasn’t home after Yom Kippur, he couldn’t yet troubled about parnosa and easily settle back into the everyday
28 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER mundane thoughts on the margins of the few existence. After seforim he had with him. In the following coming home sicha, the Rebbe points out an ironic quite late in the twist in this regard: evening, he drank It’s interesting to note that by only a glass of tea. hashgocha protis [of all my father’s Then he remained writings], it is largely the Torah sitting, still garbed he wrote while in exile that was in his kittel and published and made available to the gartel of study. Most of his writings (spanning his great-great- thousands of pages!) from the time he grandfather, served as Rov of his city have not yet the Tzemach reached us.12 Tzedek, to lead a farbrengen until His Tziyun Breathes Life two or three o’clock in the morning. The Hagoda with Rav Levi Yitzchok's Rav Levi Yitzchok’s everlasting impact on This was his regular custom on the Haskoma printed in the year 5683 Russian Jewry continues even after his evening after Yom Kippur, both when physical life here on earth, by way of his Jewish life had been less constricted My Father’s Haskama Tziyun: and later when Judaism could be While explaining the passages of the We can now clearly see that many practiced almost solely within the Haggada on the second night of Pesach, Yidden were infused with chayus in confines of one’s own home. 5718, the Rebbe remarked: their Yiddishkeit by his presence there Some of our friends were aware of my Just before Pesach, I was given a in exile with them, [as well as his husband’s custom, and they would Haggada which bears a letter of continued presence there] now with eat a quick evening meal with their approbation (haskama) from my his Tziyun being there. It families before coming to our home. father. In that Haggada, the author caused a great arousal of yiras My husband would deliver a Chasidic 10 explains this passage… shomayim, learning Torah and discourse on subjects connected with fulfillment of mitzvos. If not for [his the Yom Kippur prayers. In later years Leader in Russia being exiled there] it’s hard to know he spoke about the great qualities of In the following sicha, the Rebbe how the presence of Yiddishkeit Jews, their self-sacrifice to observe uses exceptional terms to display the would look…13 Judaism, and how they expressed reverence and high esteem that Rav Levi their love towards other Jews in that Yitzchok deserved, almost putting his 1. Hisvaaduyos 5744 vol. 4 p. 2389. Similar difficult era. sentiment was expressed by the Rebbe in other status equal with that of all the Rabbeim: Chof Av farbrengens. Ten or fifteen people always attended My father sacrificed his life to spread 2. The Rebbe in Yechidus to the Belzer Rebbe; this farbrengen, which included Yiddishkeit in Russia. After the Sichos Kodesh 5733 vol. 1 p 456. Varying details dancing as enthusiastic as on Simchat in Sefer “B’tzel HaChochma” p. 29. [Frierdiker] Rebbe left Russia, he Torah. 8 3. Sichos Kodesh 5735 vol. 1 p. 378. was the only descendant of the Alter 4. Sichos Kodesh 5739 vol. 3 p. 565. Rebbe, the Mittler Rebbe, and the Memory 5. Sichos Kodesh 5732 vol. 1 p. 593. Tzemach Tzedek remaining in that Speaking of his father’s phenomenal country. Thus, he was the leader 6. Toras Menachem vol. 11 p. 146. The Rebbe memory, the Rebbe once commented: related this story on several other occasions as of Jewry there, and for this reason, well; see Hisvaaduyos 5745 vol. 3 p. 1482. Obviously, he did not have a sefer many people turned to him for advice. 7. Shmini Atzeres 5730; HaMelech B’mesiboi “Eitz Chayim” with him while in Eventually, he was arrested for his vol. 2 p. 53. exile. The authorities would not efforts in spreading Yiddishkeit and 8. Memoirs of Rebbetzin Chana – part 26; allow him to bring along any seforim, passed away in exile…11 copyright by Kehos. and certainly not a large-formatted 9. Sichos Kodesh 5725, v. 2 p. 349. sefer like that. Nevertheless, he cites Torah of Exile 10. Likkutei Sichos vol. 3 p. 1016. 11. Sefer Hasichos 5748 vol. 2 p. 588. references to Eitz Chayim, evidently On many occasions, the Rebbe 12. Sefer Hasichos 5750 vol. 2 p. 621. based only on his memory, and all his recounted how his father, while in exile, 9 references are accurate! painstakingly transcribed his Torah 13. Sichos Kodesh 5736 vol. 2 p. 622.
Av 5774 | 29
ביום ההוא “ יהי' מזבח לה' בארץ מצרים”.
30 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER
Av 5774 | 31 Interview with Rabbi Shlomo Cunin
32 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER Rabbi Cunin and Rabbi Levi Bukiet at the construction site of the new campus for Yeshivas Ohr Elchanan Chabad. Chassidisher Derher: Good afternoon Rabbi Cunin, thank you for giving us from your time today. Rabbi Cunin: It is my pleasure to dedicate time toward a magazine geared for bochurim. Being just a short while after Gimmel Tammuz, it is vital that bochurim bear in mind that the Rebbe is with every one of us, giving us the strength to persevere until the end. The Rebbe gave us tools to help internalize this energy, namely: the shiurim of Chitas, Rambam and going on Mivtzoim. Following these hora’os enables us to feel the Rebbe’s koach, even when we are not physically near the Ohel. You may ask: how can I be so confident in these words? I will share with you a story that took place with me just a few hours ago that shows how vividly we can witness the Rebbe’s influence in everything we do, so long as we adhere to the Rebbe’s takanos and hora’os: I had the opportunity to visit a group of lawyers on the 32nd floor of an office building in Los Angeles this morning. Upon arrival, I turned to one of the lawyers who was Jewish, yet very secular, and I asked him to put on Tefillin. To my surprise, he replied: “Rabbi Cunin, ever since you first met me a few months ago and asked me to put on Tefillin, something stirred within me. Shortly thereafter I found my old pair of Tefillin and began putting them on every day.” Instead of being bashful the first time I met him, I had pushed myself to immediately ask him about the Rebbe’s Mivtza Tefillin. I saw the Rebbbe’s kochos vividly, for the man was totally transformed - nishapech l’ish acher! Every bochur receives endless care from the Rebbe, he must merely tap into it by learning Chitas and Rambam, amongst the other things the Rebbe has instructed us to do. cd: This hartzike message will undoubtedly have an impact on the bochurim reading this publication. Can
Av 5774 | 33 Jem/ T he Living Archive / 109361 Photo: Photo: Jem/ T he Living Archive / 16574 Photo: Rabbi Cunin receives Kos Shel Brocha from the Rebbe on 24 Tishrei 5748. you tell us about your childhood, and Yechidus, the Rebbe told my parents that go out of their way to make sure my the interactions with the Rebbe you had it was time for my brother and me to mother was comfortable with every detail during those years? join the Lubavitcher Yeshiva on Bedford of the conditions, so as not to give her rc: Boruch Hashem, I was fortunate to and Dean. Upon hearing the suggestion, any additional worries! have been raised in the Bronx, which was my mother began to weep. The Rebbe There is a lifelong message I learned from relatively close to Crown Heights. Though soothed her, explaining that we would my parents. While other Chassidim were it was quite rare to see a Chossid with not be away for the entire week; we would very focused on taking in as much as they a beard in America during those days, come home every Shabbos. At the start could from the Rebbe, my father would I was fortunate that both of my Zeides of shnas halimudim of 5712, my brother go to extreme lengths to make sure that were fiery Chassidim, who were also very Pinchos and I joined the Lubavitcher the Rebbe’s needs were taken care of. He involved in my Chinuch. Yeshiva. would constantly give of his resources to When my brother and I were old enough Many years later, I found a trove of letters make sure the Rebbe had harchova in all to go to Cheder, my Zeides visited between the Rebbe and my mother, which matters. a Yeshiva nearby to see whether we I had no clue about until then. I learned cd: Can you tell us about some of the should attend. After witnessing less than from them that the Rebbe had guided my interactions you had with the Rebbe as a desirable character traits displayed by one mother like a tatte after her family had bochur? perished in the Holocaust. The Rebbe of the teachers, they concluded that it rc: Throughout my years as a bochur in would be better for my Yiddishkeit to not directed her in all sorts of situations, even things as minor as us having a cold! 770, I was privileged to have many, many attend the school. Instead, they arranged encounters with the Rebbe. I will share a for Rabbi Sholom Mendel Simpson – a We also visited the Yeshiva in advance, as few of them with you. bochur at the time – to teach us privately. per the Rebbe’s instruction. The Yeshiva was exceedingly clean, and appealing. Perhaps the first Shlichus I received from When I turned eleven, my family had a the Rebbe, was as a young bochur. It Yechidus with the Rebbe. During that Later on I found out that the Rebbe had instructed the Yeshiva to make sure they was erev Pesach, and the Rebbe would
34 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER distribute Matza to the Chassidim. Being He invited me into the apartment and Upon hearing his story the Chassidim that I had an hour train ride from Crown asked me why I had come. I explained to urged that he write to the Rebbe and ask Heights to the Bronx, I was able to be him that I had a special delivery from the for a brocha. He resisted, claiming that one of the first to receive Matza from the Rebbe from him. But first, I asked him to he was completely secular. Eventually the Rebbe. take a tablecloth and cover the treife food Chassidim prevailed upon him and he wrote a letter to the Rebbe, pouring out When I came by the Rebbe, the Rebbe on the table. his woes. gave me Matza, and then the Rebbe asked I had him take out brand new cups, and me whether I lived in the Bronx, and I filled them with water. I asked him to He was delighted when shortly thereafter confirmed that I did. The Rebbe then gather his wife and children and we sat he received a reply from the Rebbe. gave me another large piece of Matza and together in the living room. I realized that The Rebbe’s answer was clear: “Don’t asked me to please deliver it to an address both of the children were blind. have an abortion! I bless you that the in the Bronx that the Mazkirus would Over four cups of water, I told the story baby will be able to see, and you will supply me with. of Yetzi’as Mitzrayim, and then had them have much nachas from this child, as well as the other children.” The Rebbe I was elated! I was overjoyed to be trusted wash for Motzi-Matza. Then they all had also encouraged him to strengthen his with the Rebbe’s Shlichus. a piece of the Rebbe’s Matza, the first time eating Matza in their lifetime! involvement in Torah and Mitzvos. The I hurried to the Mazkirus and got the Rebbe concluded that he would send an address, and realized that it was on the After spending a while there, I hesitantly emissary to help them along this path. opposite side of the Bronx, meaning asked him if he could share his story with You can well understand that I was that it would take a lot longer than I had me, so I could share it with the Rebbe. astounded upon hearing this story. At this planned. So I stopped to call my mother The man obliged and filled me in on his point the man had tears streaming down and let her know that she should not get connection with the Rebbe. his face. I told him that this Matza was worried if I don’t make it home in time “bread of healing” for Yomtov. and it would bring To make matters great brocha to his worse, my train A shirtless, tattooed, heavyset man entire family. was delayed, so A short while later upon arrival in that opened the door, bringing the smell of I was informed that part of the Bronx I the baby was in fact emptied the muktze treife food wafting to my nose. born, with both from my pockets in eyes functioning! the subway station, The shochtim and asked a passerby how I could get to He was a tanner who worked in a kosher whom he worked with arranged a Bris that address. They explained to me that it slaughter house, run by a group of Mila for the little boy. was a very long walk. Lubavitcher Chassidim. Recently they For years I stayed in touch with the At last, I arrived at the address, and had noticed that he had seemed very children, and many years down the line realized it was located in a community for depressed. They pressed him to share his they grew closer to their Yiddishkeit. the blind. I climbed up to the third floor problem with them. He explained that apartment and knocked on the door. after his first two children were born Another kiruv I received from the Rebbe took place after an interesting sequence “Who’s there?” shouted a voice from blind, the doctors warned him not to of events. It was a regular day in 770, behind the door. “An emissary of the have any more children, because chances and I was sitting and learning in the zal Lubavitcher Rebbe,” I replied. were that they too would be blind. on the first floor of 770. Suddenly Rabbi A shirtless, tattooed, heavyset man But alas, his wife was now expecting another child, and he was at a complete Hodakov entered the Zal and came over opened the door, bringing the smell of to where I was sitting. treife food wafting to my nose. It was loss what to do. The doctors felt strongly He explained that a group of wealthy definitely not your average Pesach scene! that the baby should be aborted, because and influential individuals had come to I wondered why the Rebbe sent me statistics suggested that the baby would have a Yechidus with the Rebbe en route there… be blind. However he felt that since there was a chance that the baby would be able to visit the sites of concentration camps “So the Rebbe sent you to me? I’m so to see, it would be heinous for him not to in Europe. Arriving at the same time as excited!” exclaimed the man. have brought this life into the world. He them was a young “hippie,” searching for felt terribly confused as how to behave. counsel.
Av 5774 | 35 the Almighty. Through educating your We were stunned by the realization of children as Jews, and educating yourself how dearly the Rebbetzin held this. The first question the same way, you can ensure that the Understandably we stepped up our efforts Jewish people will never be destroyed.” greatly after that phone call. that I recall, was cd: You mentioned earlier how your When the winter came, I didn’t want the “How did G-d let father would be very worried about the Rebbe to have to walk in the snow and Rebbe’s material state of affairs. I heard ice, so I got a group of friends together the Holocaust that as a bochur, you also were involved and we would shovel a path from the in similar matters. Can you share some Rebbe’s house, all the way to 770! After a happen?” of those with us? while, my chaver Berel Baumgarten a”h, rc: It bothered me greatly if something and I put together enough money to buy an electric snow blower, and we would The Rebbe had chosen to give a Yechidus wasn’t ideal with the Rebbe’s gashmiyus. plow the areas where the Rebbe would to the young “hippie” first and the other I decided to make sure to be there walk. group was waiting for a while. Rabbi whenever the Rebbe would come in and Hodakov asked if I could spend time out of 770, so I could hold the door open. One night there was a terrible snowstorm with the group while they waited for The Rebbe, who cares for the entire Klal and I was plowing the area right in front the Rebbe, as I was a born and bred Yisroel shouldn’t need to hold the door of 770, however it kept getting full of American who spoke fluent English. open for himself! After a while, it caught snow because the snow was coming down on and others began to do the same. hard. Suddenly the lights in the Rebbe’s I readily agreed, and led them to the room turned off, which meant that the library, where I schmoozed with them on Until the year 5725, the Rebbe would Rebbe would be coming outside in just a a variety of Jewish subjects. After over an almost always walk to and from his few moments. hour the Rebbe buzzed Rabbi Hodakov home to 770. Crown Heights wasn’t such to inform him that he was ready for a safe place and the Rebbe would walk Not wanting the Rebbe to see me, I the group. The Rebbe then told Rabbi alone, often at late hours of the night. I pushed the snow blower in the direction Hodakov: decided, together with another few other of the chotzer,1 and jumped into the bochurim, to make a rotation of following one of the snowbanks near the door. A “מ’דארף עם געבען א שכר, ער האט דאך the Rebbe to and from his home. Reb moment later the Rebbe exited 770 and גזעצען מיט זיי די גאנצען צייט. זאל ער אויכעט Berel Lipsker, Reb Avremel Lipsker, Reb realized exactly what had happened. This אריינגייען מיט זיי.” Shmerel Roitblat and Reb Zisel Piekarski I will never forget – the Rebbe looked “We need to give him [Shlomo Cunin] were from the first ones to take part in down at me in the snowbank and gave me a reward, as he sat with them the entire this. a broad smile, one that resounds within time. He should enter [the Yechidus] with We armed ourselves with clubs during the me till now. them.” week, and for Shabbos we wore specially In the earlier years, no one was printing I was ecstatic that I had merited this sharpened garrison belts (commonly used the Rebbe’s bilti-mugah2 maamorim, incredible zechus. During the Yechidus by police officers). We kept a distance and therefore few were chazzering the group posed a number of questions between ourselves with the Rebbe, and these maamorim in the Shuls. At first to the Rebbe, particularly regarding we hoped that the Rebbe was happy with I procured a typewriter and onion the Holocaust. Throughout the entire what we were doing. paper,3 which would produce 22 copies. Yechidus the Rebbe spoke only in To our great surprise, one day one of us Reb Boruch Shalom Kahn (today of English. got a call on the payphone in 770, and the New Haven, CT) would type out the The first question that I recall, was “How lady on the line introduced herself simply maamorim and I would take care of the did G-d let the Holocaust happen?” as “Schneerson from President St.” It was distribution. The Rebbe replied: “I cannot rationalize the Rebbetzin calling! She thanked us for Later on I upgraded to a mimeograph why G-d allowed things to happen. The walking behind the Rebbe and then she machine, and then to a spirit duplicator, only thing I can be sure of, is that Hitler finished: which used alcohol to print multiple copies. After amassing enough funds I “איך בעט איר זאלט נישט זיין אזעלכע גרויסע yemach shemo, as well as any other evil even invested in a proper copy machine חסידים, איר זאלט שטייען א ביסעל נענטער.” person, cannot destroy our people. Only we can destroy ourselves. which enabled many more copies to be “I ask of you that [in this matter] you printed and spread. Eventually Reb Dovid “You must educate your children about shouldn’t be such “great Chassidim,” [and] Raskin took charge of this, taking the Shabbos and the commandments of please stand a little closer [to the Rebbe].” hafotza to greater heights.
36 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER I was quite involved in secretly4 recording doing something inside the Ohel is like A short while later I had an opportunity the Rebbe’s farbrengens, and Boruch playing with fire! For a chossid to begin to be at the Ohel when the Rebbe was Hashem those recordings bring chizuk to doing things inside the Ohel, seemed there. It was a freezing day and I noticed the Chassidim nowadays. totally out of place. that the Rebbe’s feet were surrounded by cd: Speaking of the Rebbe during the Eventually I could not take the Rebbe’s ice water. For hours on end the Rebbe winter, I have heard that you were discomfort any longer, and together with stood at the Ohel totally exposed to the involved in the building of a structure my friend Avremel Lipsker, I cut out a elements. for the Rebbe to stand in when he visited board of wood for the Rebbe to put things My friend Avremel Lipsker and I decided the Ohel. Can you tell us about it? down on while at the Ohel. We clamped that we could handle this no more. Out rc: This was an intense saga that I was it onto the wall, and placed hooks in of pieces of wood, we built a platform for involved in as a bochur. front of it for the Rebbe to hang bags of the Rebbe to stand on. With trepidation tzetlach. We felt like we were taking our we brought the platform to the Ohel, and In the early 5710’s the Rebbe would bring lives into our hands! hoped that we were doing the proper small packages of tzetlach that people had thing. sent in with him to the Ohel. The Rebbe With great nervousness, we watched from would rest these bags on the partition afar the next time the Rebbe came to the This time when the Rebbe arrived at that surrounded the Frierdiker Rebbes Ohel. We were thrilled when the Rebbe the Ohel, we looked on as the Rebbe tziyon. However, the wall was only about came in and made use of the board and approached the platform, and stepped eight inches wide. the hooks, as if they had always been up onto it without hesitation. We felt there! relieved. As the packages the Rebbe brought grew bigger, I felt that something had to be When the need arose, we replaced the Realizing that the Rebbe had accepted done to make it more convenient for the board with a bigger one, to give more our efforts, I got more daring and brought Rebbe. I was caught in a struggle, because space for whatever the Rebbe wanted to in a “construction stove” on the right side put down. of the platform, which was connected to a
Rabbi Cunin relates: “The Rebbe’s Mazkir Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, who now also serves as the Chairman of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch, would usually drive the Rebbe to and from the Ohel. One wintry day, Rabbi Krinsky was not able to drive the Rebbe, so another individual drove instead. I had also come to the Ohel that day, in order to 2855 make sure that the propane tank was connected correctly to the stove. The Rebbe stood inside the Ohel, but snow began to come down very strong. Although the driver had opened an umbrella for the Rebbe (as Rabbi Krinsky often would in similar situations), this time the Rebbe chose to instead stand under the overhang which protrudes over the left side of the Ohel. However, because the Rebbe was no longer standing on the board, ice water began to gather around the Rebbe’s feet. My heart raced as I debated what to do. I couldn’t handle the tzaar that the Rebbe was no-doubt experiencing.
130652 Cautiously I stepped into the Ohel and passed behind the Rebbe. The Rebbe remained fixed to his spot, as if he hadn’t noticed me. My heart pounding, I asked the Rebbe: “דער רבי שטייט אין אייז-וואסער, און איך וויל צושטעלען דעם ברעטעל?” “The Rebbe is standing in ice-water, I would like to set up the board?” Suddenly the Rebbe stepped back, as if noticing me for the first time, and moved as if to allow me to bring the board. Swiftly, I lifted the board from where it usually stood and moved it to where the Rebbe was standing.” Photos: Jem/ T he Living Archive Photos: 141031
Av 5774 | 37 Persistently he asked, do I think a bochur with the Rebbe prior to our departure could be successful in such a Shlichus, to California. During that Yechidus the to which I replied that if it’s the Rebbe’s Rebbe gave me a Tanya, and my wife a desire he surely can. Siddur. One of the things the Rebbe told He concluded, that if so he suggests that me during that Yechidus was: “זאלס’ט איינעמען גאנץ קליפורניה!” I begin to get involved in Shlichus in the Bronx. I answered, that if the Rebbe “You should conquer the entire wants then I am ready to go. Rabbi California!” Hodakov instructed me to ask reshus
Photo: Jem/ T he Living Archive / 103236 Photo: from the Hanhala, which I immediately This has been our motto in every Rabbi Cunin presents the Rebbe with a key matter, and Boruch Hashem today our to a new Chabad House in California. set about doing. headquarters at 741 Gayley Ave. has 5 Rabbi Mentlik’s answer was clear: if the become the “command center” for the Rebbe wanted, then the Hanhala gives over 240 Chabad Houses! full reshus. Boruch Hashem, we were zoche to Once I had relayed the message to Rabbi pioneer many things throughout my Hodakov, he outlined to me, that the shlichus, including the first Sukkah Rebbe wanted me to be in Yeshiva during Mobile, the first Chabad day camp and the week and to be involved in Shlichus the first Chabad House, amongst many in the Bronx from Friday until Sunday. other firsts. I acquired an army surplus bus for $100 Despite being physically distanced from and installed shelves and furniture the Rebbe, I learned from my mentor Reb inside. I called it the “Merkaz Bus,” but Gershon Mendel Garelick, that traveling essentially this was the first Mitzvah Tank. to the Rebbe – es iz nisht do farvos tzu Each Friday morning I would park moire hoben. Every Shabbos Mevorchim Rabbi Cunin at the first telethon. outside the Reform and Conservative I would fly – and continue to do so – to propane tank. The stove emitted warmth, temples, and hold book fairs inside New York to spend Shabbos with the and was designed for outdoor use. When this bus, so people would have Rebbe, and often on other days as well. the Rebbe came to the Ohel the following the opportunity to taste authentic cd: Did you receive hora’os from the time, the Rebbe stepped up onto the Yiddishkeit. I would spend Shabbos in Rebbe regarding Shlichus matters? platform and stood very close to the oven, the Bronx, and then continue holding rc: which provided me with a distinct sense book fairs all Sunday. On Monday Oh yes! I was zoche to receive many, of relief. morning I would immediately return to many hora’os from the Rebbe throughout all the years of my Shlichus, and I will try With time, we built a booth to protect regular seder hayeshiva. to share some of them with you. the Rebbe from the rain and snow, and cd: When did you begin your Shlichus in eventually a full structure was built for California? As a matter of fact one of the first hora’os on Shlichus was regarding Shliach ose the Rebbe. rc: That began a few months after my Shliach [bringing down a new Shliach]. Shortly after Chof Zayin Adar 5752, the wedding. I got married to Rebbetzin Boruch Hashem, our Shlichus started off entire structure mysteriously burst into Sheindel Cunin on Yud Daled Kislev, with a roar, and I saw much hatzlocha. flames and almost nothing survived the 5725. I realized that I needed to bring down sreifa! Following my chasuna I received a hora’o another Shliach to work together with me. cd: Were you involved in Shlichus in from the Rebbe to learn in Kollel for the The next time I was in Yechidus, I other areas besides California? first half of the day, and for the second included in my tzetel an inquiry about rc: I was sent on Shlichus, even before my half to continue my Shlichus in the bringing down a new Shliach. I also chasuna! Bronx. included three suggestions of possible As an older bochur in 770, I was once After Pesach I had the tremendous zechus candidates. called in by Rabbi Hodakov and he of being sent by the Rebbe to California The first was a personal friend of mine asked me whether the Bronx could have as the fifth Shliach of the Rebbe in the Reb Hirshel Hecht. He was originally 6 a Shliach. I answered, that if the Rebbe USA. from Chicago and was stationed in Tzfas, wants, surely there can be a Shliach there. My wife and I had a special Yechidus Eretz Yisroel at the time.
38 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER The Rebbe read through my tzetel, and arrived we opened the first Chabad Often, however the Rebbe tries to give us when it came to the first candidate the day camp. We designed a brochure and something in darchei hateva that can help Rebbe questioned; “Harry?” “Hirshel,” I submitted it to the Rebbe. us understand. So when the Rebbe asked replied. “Doesn’t he live in Eretz Yisroel?” We were startled when we saw the Rebbe’s that question, I realized that it was merely a hint that the Rebbe didn’t want us to תערובות? :asked the Rebbe. I realized immediately one word reply that the Rebbe was hinting that if he lived open a Shul at that point. On the cover was a picture of boys and in Eretz Yisroel already, then he shouldn’t A short while later I came back to the leave. girls jumping rope together. The Rebbe’s reply made it clear that not only was the Rebbe with another idea. There was a The Rebbe then addressed the second illustration not proper, but that we should building with a pool that was available individual I had mentioned, Rabbi have separate divisions for boys and girls. for just $100,000. We would then offer Avrohom Levitansky a”h: “Talmud Torah and Swimming.” Parents This reminds me of another occasion when would drop off their children each day for “איך וויל דיר זאגען ווי מ’דארף קלייבען א שליח. and ad was made about Mivtza Taharas a few hours, part of which the children די ערשטע זאך דארף מען וויסען צי ער פלעגט Hamishpocha by one of the Shluchim in could swim in the pool, and the rest of פארן אויף ‘מיטוואך שעה.’ California. At around three o’clock in the the time would be dedicated to learning ער פלעגט גייען. morning my phone began ringing (bear Torah. .(in mind that this is 6 a.m. in New York שפעטער דארף מען וויסען צי בשעת ס’האט This venture could also be financially !Rabbi Hodakov was on the line ג’ענדיקט זיך די לערנען מיט די קינדער, צי ער stable, since the parents would pay to איז געבליבען רעדען מיט די קינדער און זייערע Rabbi Hodakov told me that he saw the enroll their children into the program. ad, and because a certain kind of wording עלטערן. This time the Rebbe answered me: was used in the ad, it was not proper for ער פלעגט בלייבען. “שלמה, וואס וועלן זיי זאגען, ס’איז געקומען א us to run it. Not being used to receiving מען דארף וויסען זיין ווער ער איז, מען דארף יונגער שליח דא אין קליפורניה, קאמ דא אזויפיל calls from Rabbi Hodakov,8 I began וויסען זיין ווער איז די ווייב, און ווער זיינען די חדשים, און אויסגעגעבען הונדערט טויזענט to explain to him that the reason that עלטערען. דולר?!” kind of language was used was because און מ’דארף וויסען זיין אז קיינער טוט אונז קיין “Californians” would better receive it. “Shlomo, what will they say, a young טובות נישט.” After a while of arguing, Rabbi Hodakov Shliach arrived in California, merely here “I want to tell you how you must choose exclaimed: for a couple of months, and he has already a Shliach. The first thing you should look “You might think that I am telling you spend $100,000?!” into, is whether he would participate in this because I am an old fashioned Jew. I understood that the Rebbe was not 7 ‘Wednesday hour [Released Time].’ However, I want you to know that I had happy with the idea. In the meantime “[The Rebbe answered his own question] the zechus of being with the Rebbe today I threw myself in to expanding the He would. and this is what the Rebbe says.” activities of Chabad on the West Coast. “Afterward, you need to know whether Stunned, I immediately saw to it that the A great focus of my Shlichus was with after [the Wednesday hour] had ended, ad cease circulation. Jewish college students at UCLA in he would leave right away, or he would cd: Did the Rebbe give any hora’os Westwood, California. After realizing that stay late to speak with the children and regarding the opening of the first their children were developing a strong their parents. Chabad House? connection, the parents of these students approached me and offered to help “[The Rebbe answered his own question] rc: Absolutely! But first you must know purchase a facility. He would stay. the background behind its opening. Here again I approached the Rebbe with “You need to find out who he is, who is Soon after I had arrived in California, the idea. Since this would be a place for wife is, and who are their parents. I set my eyes on procuring a facility for the Jewish students on campus to “come “And you need to know, that we don’t our activities. My first idea was to buy a home” to, we would call it Chabad House. need people to do us favors [in regard to Shul, especially because there was one I was ecstatic when the Rebbe gave me a going on Shlichus].” that was available for sale, ran by Rabbi Tarshish. When I asked the Rebbe about brocha to pursue this idea. Shortly thereafter the Rebbe gave me a purchasing the Shul, the Rebbe asked me: cd: When was the building completed? brocha to bring down Rabbi Levitansky, How will it support itself? who dedicated himself to his Shlichus rc: The completion of the building took until his last days. Now, when the Rebbe says no, that’s place shortly before Yud Alef Nissan because the Rebbe has his own reasons. 5730. I made a special trip to New York The summer after Rabbi Levitansky
Av 5774 | 39 After the original Chabad House suffered through a Rabbi Cunin lights the Menorah at an event together terrible blaze, this event was held right in front of it. with Governer Arnold Schwarzenegger. with the key in order to present it to the “I can’t take it from you Shlomo… you existed until then, that was a mammoth Rebbe in Yechidus, together with some wrote San9 D i e g o.” undertaking, especially if it was to be supporters. I cringed inside, grasping that I had made done within the year! In advance of my Yechidus, Rabbi a big mistake. As soon as the Sicha had ended I wrote Hodakov informed me that the Rebbe The Rebbe turned to Rabbi Yehuda a tzetel to the Rebbe, stating that I take had instructed to bring a photographer to Krinsky who was in the room at the time upon myself to open 10% of the seventy capture the moment of the presentation as well, and asked him to bring scotch new organizations. We ended up opening of the key to the first Chabad House. tape. The Rebbe tore little bits of paper twelve of them! Almost all of them Hastily, I arranged for a photographer to and, with the scotch tape, covered over were new Shluchim, or independent be present. the letters “a” and “n.” organizations. A glow of nachas ruach emanated from “Now, I can accept it from you,” That night, I met a yungerman named the Rebbe’s face when we presented the concluded the Rebbe, smiling broadly. Chaim Itche Drizin who was already serving as a Cheder teacher in Northern key. Then the Rebbe asked me: “Which From that day forward, any location in Chabad House is this the key to?” California. I offered him to become California that begins with that word, is a Shliach that night! Sure enough he Speechless, I realized that the Rebbe was spelled out by the Shluchim and Anash agreed, and the next day I entered clearly implying that this Chabad House simply as S., e.g. S. Diego, S. Francisco Yechidus together with him, in which should be the first of many. etc. I told the Rebbe that this would be the Similarly, with the opening of every This reminds me about the time just two first of the seventy new organizations in subsequent Chabad House, I would have years later that propelled a major leap regards to the Rebbe’s request! a Yechidus together with the Shliach in forward for Chabad of California. That year, I left no stone unturned in that location and present the Rebbe with Lubavitch was buzzing with excitement order to create new mosdos. When Yud the key. in anticipation of the Rebbe’s seventieth Alef Nissan arrived the following year, When we opened the Chabad House birthday on Yud Alef Nissan 5732. I we compiled an album of all the new in S. Diego together with Rabbi Yonah myself brought a few supporters of mosdos. We made a special version of Fradkin, we presented a key to the city, Chabad of California to the Rebbe’s that album for the Rebbe, with a gold- framed in a gift box adorned with a Farbrengen that Yud Alef Nissan. plated cover. We presented it to the Rebbe alongside a brand new silver kesser for the plaque. The Rebbe expressed during that “Rebbe’s Sefer Torah.”10 We entered the Rebbe’s room and Farbrengen that if someone wanted to presented it to the Rebbe. The Rebbe give a present, what he desired was was The glow on the Rebbe’s face when responded to me: that seventy new institutions of Chabad- I presented the newest Shliach to Lubavitch should be opened throughout California, sent me a clear message that “איך קען עס ביי דיר ניט נעמען שלמה... דו האסט that year. Relative to the amount of the Rebbe had derived great nachas ruach געשריבען סאן דיעגו.” Chabad Lubavitch institutions that from this.
40 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER cd: The finances needed, in order to office of a potential supporter. He, and the I compiled the list, and left out anyone open 12 new mosdos in one year, must nineteen individuals I visited afterward, who held positions in institutions that have been enormous! Were you able to each paid the full price for these bills. A were partially government funded, for handle that easily? number of them experienced great nissim example the Drug Rehabilitation Center, after having done so, but we will leave and others. rc: The funds needed for this initiative those stories for another time. were gigantic, but that could not stand in Just a few hours later, Rabbi Krinsky the way of fulfilling the Rebbe’s hora’os. called me again, and told me that the I borrowed a lot of money, and worked Rebbe had said that it is not a full list. I frantically to pay them off. As soon as Rabbi explained that I had left out those who got paid by the government. The line was At the end of the year, I was still $200,000 Krinsky returned silent, which meant that the Rebbe had in debt, and I felt terrible about it. been listening into the conversation, and Nevertheless, I didn’t want to burden to the line, I had buzzed Rabbi Krinsky, to come to the the Rebbe with my problems, and I only Rebbe’s office. wrote in the good news. exclaimed: “I will As soon as Rabbi Krinsky returned to the The next time I was in Yechidus, the repair the list line, I exclaimed: “I will repair the list Rebbe read through my tzetel, but like right away and resend it!” a tatte who gauges his child’s problems right away and even when they don’t openly express it, resend it!” Rabbi Krinsky was satisfied with my the Rebbe asked me: response and I promptly did so. ,Hosha’ana Rabbah came a few weeks later וואס איז, שלמה? דארפסט האבען געלט? וויפל What I could never have fathomed, was and I flew into New York in order to be דארפסט דו?”” the Rebbe’s repeating of this “business with the Rebbe until the end of Simchas “What is the matter, Shlomo? You are in deal” a year or two later, when I was now Torah. need of money? How much do you need? $250,000 in debt. As soon as I arrived, I got onto the My lips froze, and I didn’t utter a word. Once again, the Rebbe asked me, line for lekach, which the Rebbe would But the Rebbe repeated the question: without me mentioning a word about my distribute on Hosha’ana Rabbah. Almost How much to you need? Eventually the financial woes. In this instance the Rebbe every year, the Rebbe was enveloped by a Rebbe asked: “$200,000?” I still stood instructed me to receive these dollars certain seriousness on Hosha’ana Rabbah, quietly. from Rabbi Hodakov, and to sell them for but to me the Rebbe would smile. “When are you leaving?” asked the $25,000 each! This time the Rebbe didn’t smile to me. Rebbe. “Whenever the Rebbe suggests,” The Rebbe cares for each of his kinderlach Instead the Rebbe asked: I responded. “When were you planning like a tatte, and truthfully, even in a more “דו ביסט באקאנט מיט אלע עובדים אין .on leaving?” continued the Rebbe powerful way than that. קליפורניה? דו ביסט באקאנט מיט איימעצען .Tomorrow morning,” was my reply“ וואס הייסט שלמה קונין? פארוואס איז ער נישט There was another occasion when the The Rebbe opened his drawer, and began געווען אף דער רשימה?” Rebbe showered me with unconditional counting a large amount of $100 bills. I libshaft. thought I would collapse with an overload of emotions. When a fire consumed the original Chabad House, in 5740, my financial With a broad smile, the Rebbe said: straits were dire. Aside from the usual expenses involved with running a region “דא איז נאר א טויזענט, וועסט דו גייען full of Shluchim, I was suddenly saddled פארקויפען יעדער שטר פאר צוואנציק טויזענט with millions of dollars more that I דולר.” “Here you have only $1000, now you needed to come up with! should go and sell each bill for $20,000.” One day, I received a call from Rabbi Selling a dollar of the Rebbe was Krinsky, who explained that the Rebbe something I would never consider! Yet, wanted to pay the payroll of Chabad here the Rebbe was pulling me out of my of California for the month of Tishrei. doom, without me even lifting a finger. Dumbfounded, I answered that I would Rabbi Cunin converses with an honoree put together a list, and send it in right at one of his first Dinners. With renewed vigor, I landed in away. California and headed straight to the
Av 5774 | 41 the first Shliach. Were there any more היטלאך א יאר. דאס וועט ער דיר געבען און ווען Are you familiar with all your workers in“ hora’os you received on this matter on ס’וועט ווערען מער וועט ער דיר געבען מער.” California? Do you know someone by the name of Shlomo Cunin? Why were you not other occasions? “Shlomo, I have heard that that situation on the list?” in your house is destitute, difficult and rc: The Rebbe gave me many guidelines Despite my shock, I managed to tell worse. Rachmona Litzlan, I don’t want regarding hiring new Shluchim. Because the Rebbe that because I receive a to verbalize [the nature of the situation]. of time constraints I can’t share all of monthly check of $300 from the Rebbe Shlomo, I don’t want to be in pain because them here, however I will recount one each month since the beginning of my things are tight for you. incredible episode that is related to this Shlichus, I didn’t add myself to the list. matter: The Rebbe replied: On an Erev Shabbos Mevorchim at the end of 5749, I was standing “אפילו די גרעסטע גבירים וואס in 770 when I was startled to ארבעטען פאר די מוסדות נעמען hear that Rabbi Hodakov, who אויכעט עפעס, אכצין דולר לחודש was very elderly at the time, was אדער לשנה וכו’,” looking for me. I ran to meet “Even the greatest gvirim which him, upon which he told me that work for organizations take the Rebbe had given out a ma’ane something, $18 a month, or a year which was addressed to me. etc. [meaning that Rabbi Cunin is to be on his payroll, regardless of I immediately put on my gartel, any other funds he receives].” as Rabbi Hodakov explained the background behind the ma’ane. Aside from receiving a paycheck from the Rebbe for that month, Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky had I made sure to add myself to been working tirelessly to open the payroll from that moment Chabad Houses in a number of forward, as per the Rebbe’s hora’o. new locations around the globe. Numerous times he had proposed I will tell you one last story which the launching of a Chabad House took place with me during a in Los Vegas, NV; each time the difficult financial period: Rebbe vetoed the idea for one In the year 5728, I received a reason or another. special instruction to be in New Certain details had unfolded, York on Yud Tes Tammuz, as did which gave Rabbi Kotlarsky the Rabbi Moshe Feller and Rabbi hope that perhaps the time was Yitzchok Dovid Groner.11 After a This very first public Menorah, in Los Angeles, CA. now ripe for a Chabad House surprise Farbrengen, which is a in Las Vegas. Once again he story in its own right, the three Go into Rabbi Hodakov, I have already submitted the idea to the Rebbe. The of us merited to have a special private notified him [that you will come], and Rebbe instructed that I be given a copy of Yechidus with the Rebbe. make a calculation how much it costs to the ma’ane on this suggestion as well. The I will never, ever forget this Yechidus: live. How much is two pairs of shoes, two wording of the ma’ane was as follows: pairs of pants, two kapotes, and two hats a “כמו דשאר הענינים דקלפרניה – למסור עדכ”ז As soon as I walked in, the Rebbe began year. He will give you that [amount], and להרר”ש שי’ קונין, ובטח יחקור להמצב שם וכו’ :to speak in a louder voice then usual ויחליט האם בכלל לעשות שם א”ל]או לא[, ואם when the amount increases, he will give “שלמה, איך האב געהערט אז ביי דיר דער מצב לעשות מה ואיך וכו’ ובכל אופן באחריותו כשאר ”.you more אין שטוב איז א מצב פון עניות ודחקות און הענינים שם.” Not a month went by until Chof Zayin נאך ערגער. רחמנא ליצלן, איך וויל דאס ניט Adar 5752, that I did not receive that – Like all other matters of California“ ארויסריידען. שלמה, איך וויל ניט ליידען אז דו extra stipend from the Rebbe. Like a Rabbi Shlomo Cunin should be informed זאלסט זיין איינג. shepherd to his sheep, the Rebbe showers about all this, and surely he will research .us with his care and brochos וועסט אריינגייען צו הרב חדקוב, איך האב מיט the situation there etc. and decide whether עם שוין גערעדט, דו זאלסט אויסרעכענען וויפל cd: Earlier you related some hora’os that to do this or not, and if yes, what and in עס קאסט צום לעבין. וויפל קאסט צוויי פאר the Rebbe gave when you appointed which way etc. Regardless, this is under his שיך, צוויי פאר הויזען, צוויי קפאטעס, און צוויי
42 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER responsibility like all other matters there.” My next step upon receiving the ma’ane Celebration 70 was to search out a suitable candidate for this Shlichus. I soon met Rabbi Shea Harlig, who eventually became the first At the culmination of Shliach to Los Vegas and leads a large Shnas Hashivi’im since group of Shluchim in that area. the Rebbe’s birth, Chabad of California published I set firm guidelines in place to ensure an album depicting the that the ruach tahara that Chassidim new initiatives that were possess should be preserved even in such done in California in an unholy place as Los Vegas. honor of Shnas Hashivi’im. Today, I am proud to observe that the There was a total of 71 most Chassidishe group of Shluchim in organizations and the like my area, are the Shluchim in Nevada! at the years conclusion. cd: Rabbi Cunin, the wealth of zichroinois and hisoirerus you shared today, carries great power. Is there something you would like to share in closing? rc: The point I would like to conclude with is one which I received numerous hora’os from the Rebbe about. The first story connected with this idea, happened shortly before the first dinner for Chabad of the West Coast. We had managed to obtain a very prestigious honoree by the name of Al Lazeroff. A large crowd of his friends and admirers were expected at the dinner. Rabbi Hodakov called me four days before the dinner, and hinted to me that the Rebbe was on the line as well. Rabbi Hodakov told me: “איך האב געהאט דעם זכות זיין ביים רבי'ן היינט, און זיכער וועט מען זיצען באזונדער מענער און פרויען.” “I had the zchus to be with the Rebbe today, and surely you [will see to it that] men and women should be seated seperatly [at the dinner]. I understood that this was coming directly from the Rebbe. When it came to the dinner, I was firm in fulfilling the Rebbe’s hora’o. I was met with fierce opposition from all sides, and in particular from the gvir’s family and none one less than the gvir himself! With the Rebbe’s brochos, Al had a sudden
Av 5774 | 43 change of heart during the dinner and understood all the details. Then it was 1. The area that today stands between 770 and asked to speak: quiet. He was talking to the Rebbe, who the Library of Agudas Chasidei Chabad. had been listening to the entire call! A 2. Maamorim which were transcribed the way “This Rabbi is something special, I will the Rebbe had said them, but not checked over never question this Rabbi again!” few moments later he returned to the by the Rebbe. Maamorim that the Rebbe had phone, and told me: checked over were called Muga. A few years after I had arrived on “The Rebbe wants me to tell you that you 3. In the days before computers, printers and Shlichus I received an unexpected call even photocopiers, everything was typed on a from Rabbi Hodakov: have to explain to them [the women] manual typewriter, taking much time and effort. that minhag avoseinu b’yodeinu, and Onion paper was thin, almost translucent paper “Firstly, the Rebbe asked me to tell that would enable the ink to transfer on to 22 that every Chabad House is like a mini copies a time, so that when typing once, instead you, that you did nothing wrong,” he Beis Hamikdash. Therefore our services of only getting one copy, many more were made. preempted. “However the Rebbe wants are held like they were done in the Beis 4. At that time the Rebbe did not want the you to know that since the matters Hamikdosh. The ladies daven from the Farbrengens to be recorded. of Chabad in Los Angeles are being Ezras Noshim, and not anywhere else. 5. The Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Tomchei publicized, you must be extra scrupulous Temimim Lubavitch Hamerkozis at the time. Then suddenly I heard the Rebbe’s voice that everything is done according to 6. Rabbi Cunin was preceded by Rabbis Moshe halacha, as guided by the Lubavitcher on the line! The Rebbe spoke to Rabbi Feller Avrohom Korf, Avrohom Shemtov and Shalom Dovber Shemtov. Rabbonim.” Hodakov as if I wasn’t there: Released Time” was launched during the“ .7 “עם זאל מען זאגען אז אזוי האט זיך אנגעפאנגען The message was clear. Everything a early years of Lubavitch in America, and used די קאנסערבעטיבע מובמענט.” Shliach and a Chossid does, needs to be out the free hour that public school children have every Wednesday in order to teach them about in exact fulfillment of Halocha! But that “You should tell him that this is the way Yiddishkeit. Bochurim learning in 770 would is not all. After asking a Rov, one must the Conservative movement started.” take off seder each Wednesday in order to run these programs. An article about this incredible make sure to ask the Rebbe as well. It wasn’t enough that I had conferred with campaign will iy”h be featured in a coming This following story illustrates this point a Rov. The Rebbe had decided against the edition of A Chassidisher Derher magazine. very well: idea, despite that it might be permissible 8. Rabbi Cunin fondly recalls how Rabbi Hodakov told him that he [Rabbi Cunin] works In my earlier years on Shlichus, feminism according to halacha. through his own “channels.” Unlike most other was very strong in California. One day a Today, it is vital for every bochur to bear Shluchim at the time, Rabbi Cunin corresponded directly with the Rebbe in most instances. woman that had become involved in our in mind, that on any matter, he should 9. S. Diego is named after a non-Jewish Chabad House approached me and asked make sure to ask a Rov how to behave, “saint.” San is Spanish for Saint. if it would be ok to coordinate an “all- and find out if the Rebbe ever gave hora’os 10. This was especially unique, because of the woman minyan.” to people in similar situations. Finally, Sefer Torah’s small size. I explained to her, that according to every Chossid should ask the Rebbe for a 11. See Interview with Rabbi Moshe Feller in haskoma and brocha, through writing to Derher Expanded Tammuz Edition 5773 for the halacha that wouldn’t be possible. After full story. hearing me out, she offered a different the Ohel, un der Rebbe vet gefinen a veg vi idea: to hold a woman’s mediation tzu entferen! service. A group of women would get together and meditate. They would also read Tehillim and other tefillos. But not in the style of a minyan at all. I told her I would look into it. I called up Rabbi Dworkin, and we went through each detail of the proposition. Once he had thought it through, he determined that this would be completely mutar. Like everything else I did in my Shlichus, I made sure to write to the Rebbe about it soon after. That night, my phone rang. Rabbi Hodakov was on the line. He went over the idea of the lady that I had written about and made sure he had Photo: Jem/ T he Living Archive / 71152 Photo: Rabbi Cunin receives a dollar from the Rebbe on 23 Nissan 5751. 44 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER
Av 5774 | 45
Children only - No Kuntzen! -
When Eastern Parkway swelled with school kids
t is safe to say that nearly every Jew Ialive today has heard of the famous “dollars” lines. Many of them have even had the privilege of actually standing on one such line, whilst others have only heard stories repeated from mouth to mouth.1 Beyond the universal lines, where anybody and everybody was welcome to participate, there were occasional chalukos which on the Rebbe’s behest were reserved for a specific crowd, be it shluchim, tankistin etc. One such special distribution took place on the morrow of Yom Kippur 5752, known as B’shem Hashem- g-tts’ nomen. A Tishrei that had already begun in all but an ordinary fashion and promised more and more exceptional giluyim 86127 with each passing day, took yet another interesting turn when on Thursday geared to children, under the ages of a significant break from ‘protocol’, as on 11 Tishrei, the Rebbe made it known Bar and Bas Mitzvah and children only! this day the Rebbe was poised only to go through his secretaries, that there would The Rebbe even mentioned that adults to the ohel. No soon was it announced be a distribution of dollars after his shouldn’t make kuntzen, and try getting a and the news spread like wildfire; boys’ as return from the mikva and prior his dollar themselves. well as girls’ schools scrambled to make departure to the ohel. But not a ‘simple’ The announcement of course caught arrangements so that their pupils be able distribution at that – rather this was chassidim by surprise, since it marked to attend, mother with young babies,
46 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER
entire families from throughout Crown Heights and beyond - all determined not to let their little ones miss this amazing opportunity. Light rain showers were falling on that morning, yet parents of all ages could be seen rushing to 770 with a child in each hand and often more walking beside them. Quickly a long line formed in 770, so that before the Rebbe had even returned from the nearby mikva, hundreds of children were already gathered. Around two in the
afternoon the windy lines began moving, 86160 while children passed in front of the Rebbe at the usual dollar- distribution place, in the hallway outside the Rebbe’s room. Entire preschool classes, cheder classes with their melamdim, and mothers with their babies, and older children strode proudly by with their teachers, as the Rebbe handed each child a dollar bill, accompanied by a wish to ‘A gut yohr’. Over the two hours that followed, thousands of children had the zechus to receive a dollar from the Rebbe, while more arrived at 770 as time passed. As the Rebbe made his exit from 770 onto the front pathway, another huge crowd had gathered around to receive a dollar from the Rebbe’s holy hand. Blue construction boards stood on the right of the Rebbe, surrounding the expansion of 770 that was being done at the time.
Soon, as the line only grew, the Rebbe’s 86142 shtender was brought so the Rebbe could lean on it. The Rebbe then again distributed dollars to all the children present; something that lasted for anther few minutes, and finally departed for the ohel. To the average passerby, it must have seemed like Eastern Parkway had suddenly turned into a playground as it swelled with children, each proudly holding onto his precious shlichus mitzvah!
1. See “A Chassidisher Derher” issue 21 (98) p. 70. 86158
Av 5774 | 47 מוקדש לחיזוק ההתקשרות לכ''ק אדמו''ר זצוקללה"ה נבג"מ זי''ע נדפס ע''י ולזכות השליח הרה''ת ר' שניאור זלמן וזוגתו מרת רחל ויוצאי חלציהם שיינא, דבורה לאה, מנחם מענדל, שלום דוב בער, שמואל, לוי יצחק , ושטערנא שרה שיחיו צירקינד נדפס בקשר עם כ' אב שבעים שנה להסתלקות כ"ק הרב הגאון והחסיד והמקובל וכו' ר' לוי יצחק ז"ל שניאורסאהן ע"י הרוצה בעילום שמו לזכותו ולזכות משפחתו לע"נ הרה"ח ר' דוד הלוי שטאקהאמער ע"ה לרגל יום היאהרצייט שלו י"ט מנחם-אב נדפס ע''י משפחתו
מוקדש לזכות לעילוי נשמת הרה״ת ר' לייביש משה וזוגתו מרת רינה הוו"ח אי"א רב פעלים תמים ואיש אמת וילדיהם ר' ישעי' ארי' ב''ר מנשה ע''ה קיילא באשא, בנציון דוד, אליהו איסר, רבקה שיינדל אלטא טרייטעל שיחיו נפטר ליל ש''ק פ' וישלח גולדהירש י''ג כסלו ה' תשע''ד