Avrahom Dovid ;שי׳ Avrahom Dovid

In Honor of the Upshernish in Honor of the Upshernish ;שי׳ (Dovi (Avrahom Dovid ;שי׳ Avrahom Dovid

His Parents His Parents ;שיחיו Shui & Sheva Kastel ;שיחיו ,Rabbi Mordy & Itty Feiner

His Siblings His brother ;שי׳ Remi ;שיחיו ,Mushka, Sara, Moshe Mendel

His Grandparents His Grandparents Rabbi Raphael & Goldie Rabbi Raphael & Goldie ;שיחיו Tennenhaus ;שיחיו ,Tennenhaus Reb Yisroel & Miriam Rabbi Mendel & Tzippy ;שיחיו Kastel ;שיחיו ,Feiner Contents

Introduction & Background 6

First Encounters

1. First Encounter 11

2. An Even Earlier Connection 11

3. My Dear Friend… 12

4. Stay in Business 13

5. Tear Up Your Checklist 14

6. The Frierdiker Rebbe’s Yechidus 15

7. Why Do You Need the Headache? 15

8. First Letter 17

9. Dancing Hakofos With the Rebbe 18 The Rebbe’s Man in Bathurst

10. Miracle Mother and Child 21

11. Stopping an Intermarriage 22

12. More Nachas From Small Town Farbrengen 23

13. Surprised You Did Not Report Yud Shevat 24

14. Pesach in Bathurst 25

15. Studying Torah during business hours 26

A Special Connection

16. Always on the Rebbe’s Mind 28

17. Yechidus in Latin 29

18. 17th Century French 29

19. Print Before Counterfeit 30

20. Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary 32

21. The Rebbe anticipates next letter 33

22. Dear Beloved Rebbe 34

23. From Dovid to Avrohom Dovid 35

24. Your Work is the Work of Heaven 36 26 years / 52 stories

25. The Rebbe’s Kindness 37

26. The Rebbe Means Me 38

27. Hope You Received My Letter and Read It 39

The Chabad Approach

28. Pioneering Jewish Outreach 42

29. Farbrengen in the Rain 42

30. Vilna Gaon on Studying Pnimiyus HaTorah 44

31. Teaching Chassidus to the Unfamiliar 44

32. Teaching Chassidus to the Unsuspecting 45

33. Tzedaka for Torah = Security for Israel 46

34. A little light dispels a lot of darkness 47

35. Reb Peretz is Besimcha 49

Transition from Bathurst to Montreal

36. Permission to Leave Bathurst 51

37. Last Tishrei in Bathurst 53

38. Parnaasa Comes from Hashem 53

4 39. Tennenhaus (Bathurst) Montreal 55

40. Time for Tzedaka Beruchniyus 56

Influence in Montreal

41. Implanting Love and Fear of Hashem 58

42. Encouraging R’ Hirchprung to Visit the Rebbe 59

43. Taught Secular, Spiritual Influence, Secret Class 60

44. Pioneer in Mivtza Tefillin 61

45. The Minyan on Jeanne Mance 63

Family Matters

46. Nachas From Your 5-Year-Old Son 66

47. Rebbe’s Blessing For Newborns 66

48. Please Share Details of Your Sister’s Wedding 68

49. Medical advice for Psoriasis 69

50. Bracha from Rebbetzin Chana 69

51. Caring for your younger siblings 71

52. The Rebbe’s Father 72

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Introduction & Background My father, Reb cold winter months, visit the dormi- (Avrohom) Dovid tory of the Lubavitcher Yeshiva Tennenhaus students, when the Bochurim were was born studying in Yeshiva, and anonymously ,ז״ל in Romania in leave brand new pairs of “long under- 1921. At the age wear” for all the Yeshiva students. of seventeen, he I was told by a number of these emigrated with his “nine Shluchim” that my grandparents and siblings to mother Esther, who was highly intel- Canada in 1938. My father was orig- ligent and knowledgeable in worldly inally a Viznitzer Chossid. He first matters, was often approached by encountered Lubavitch when the the Shluchim when they needed nine Shluchim of the Previous Rebbe advice in their personal matters etc. arrived in Montreal in 1941. Thanks to (It was long before “therapy” etc. these Shluchim, my father became a and “psychologists” was popular in devoted Chossid of both the previous the “frum” world). She was someone Rebbe and our Rebbe. who many people came to for advice, These Shluchim became close including the Shluchim and Bochurim with my father, my father’s parents, from the Yeshiva. and the Dalfen family. My father’s In the Igros Kodesh of the ,ז״ל mother was (Sheva) Esther Dalfen, the Previous Rebbe, on 14 Cheshvan 5702, oldest of nine children of Menachem twelve days after the nine Shluchim Mendel and Tova Devorah Dalfen. arrived in Montreal, there is a letter The Dalfens were from the early from the Previous Rebbe to Rabbi concerning my ,ז״ל ,and prominent supporters of Rabbi Yitzchok Hendel .and the Lubavitcher grandfather Reb Yisroel Tennenhaus ,ז״ל Leibel Kramer Yeshiva in Montreal. Rabbi Hendel showed me this letter, My grandfather Reb Yisroel and told me that the letter was in would during the response to a letter Rabbi Hendel ,ז״ל ,Tennenhaus

6 26 years / 52 stories

had written to the Previous Rebbe has lasted over 70-80 years, as several that described my grandfather, who months ago, a 90 year old non-Jew, befriended the Shluchim upon their who lived in Bathurst in the 1940’s arrival. In the letter, the previous and early 1950’s, made mention of Rebbe makes reference to the letter this on a Bathurst, New Brunswick of 9 Cheshvan which served as guid- Facebook page. ance to the Shluchim, right after In the winter months, when their arrival, on what their mission Shabbos would end early, my father in Montreal was all about. would open up his store some 15 My father first met our Rebbe, in minutes after Shabbos. My father told the winter of 1946 (see Story 1: First his customers, that he would show Encounter). up Saturday night, after three stars My father lived in a small town, appeared in the sky. Bathurst, New Brunswick, from 1940- So on Main Street, in Bathurst, 1960. He helped support his parents New Brunswick, on any given winter and siblings long before he married Saturday night, crowds of non-Jews in would congregate, with their heads ,ז״ל ,my mother, Hanna Faust February 1949. turned to the sky, to see if three stars In this small town, and neighbor- were visible; if three stars appeared, ing towns, my father was the “unoffi- they knew that “David” was on his cial” Rabbi and spiritual leader. way… Both the Previous Rebbe and the This letter gives a glimpse of the Rebbe, gave my father many direc- warm and loving relationship that tives in spreading Yiddishkeit in this existed between my father and the “Shtetl”. Rebbe, in both personal and commu- My father always kept his store nal matters. closed on Shabbos, and always wore My father, with the Rebbe’s his Yarmulke, something that was support, built a Mikvah in Bathurst in not all that common, which had an the mid 1950’s. (see Story 7: Miracle impact on all the townspeople, both Mother and Child) Jews and non-Jews alike. The impact As the children were getting

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older and needed formal Jewish 770, muttering “the Rebbe’s Bais education, the Rebbe gave my father HaMidrash must be clean…” the blessings to move to Montreal It is said that “a Minyan” of in 1960, on condition that he stayed Chassidim depart this world in the in Bathurst to conduct High Holiday year that a Rebbe is nistalek (passes services before he departed. away). once My father passed away on ז״ל R’ T. Hirsch Gansbourg told me that he had been to Bathurst as Shabbos Shuva, 3 Tishrei 5754, exactly chazzan in the early 1950’s. He added: 9 months before Gimmel Tammuz Your father was a very Chassidishe 5754. Yid. He took me Rosh Hashanah As we celebrate the upshernishen morning to the backyard of his house, of my grandsons Dovid Tennenhaus, on 525 Riverside Drive, which was on and we observe the 26th year since the Bay of Chaleur, and we used it as Gimmel Tammuz (and 26th yahr- a Mikvah. It was freezing, but that’s zeit of my father), I have compiled what a Chassidishe Yid does… 52 stories about my father and the My brother, the late Rabbi Yisroel Rebbe. told me, that he once arrived at May these stories inspire all of us ,ז״ל 770 in middle of the night with my to strengthen our bond to the Rebbe. father. My father noticed that the A special thank you to all who Bais HaMidrash was a bit “messy” helped compile 26 Years, 52 Stories, (perhaps there was an impromptu including my secretary Mrs. Chana farbrengen?). So my father found Eliyahu, Mr. Ari Kasowitz, Rabbi a broom and started to clean Yossi Lebovics and Rabbi Mendy

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Tennenhaus. Tennenhaus.) As we celebrate the May we merit the complete and Upsherenishen of my grandsons final Redemption, NOW, with the Avrohom Dovid Feiner (4 Tishrei) Rebbe at our head, and celebrate all and Dovi (Avrohom Dovid) Kastel future simchas in Jerusalem. (5 Tishrei), and we are in the 26th Year since Gimmel Tammuz, and as Rabbi Raphael Tennenhaus I observe today the 26th Yahrzeit of Hallandale Beach, 3 Tishrei, 5780 Reb Avrohom Dovid ,ז״ל ,my father (David ) Tennenhaus I have compiled 52 stories about the Rebbe and my May it be the Year of our father who had a warm and loving Liberation: תש״פ תהא שנת פדותינו .relationship ז״ל 26th Yahrzeit of my father (This is a sequel to “25 Years 26 —in the 26th Year since Gimmel Stories”, published in honor of the Tammuz. Bar Mitzvah of my grandson Dovid

9 26 years / 52 stories First Encounters

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1. First Encounter push the“) ”קוועטש די קנעפל“ My father first came to 770 in accent 1946, and had a yechidus ( private button”), referring to the elevator audience) scheduled with the button shortly after entering 770. Friediker (previous) Rebbe upstairs Due to the heavy accent, and even in 770. though my father was a linguist, my He had grown up in a small town father didn’t understand what the in Romania, lived then in a small town Rebbe was referring to. in Canada, and wasn’t sure how to The RAMASH repeated himself a use the elevator to get upstairs to the few times, until he himself took my second floor. father upstairs to meet the previous A yungerman (young man) study- Rebbe. ing in the zal (study hall), wearing a Although this was their first short jacket, noticed my father look- encounter, many years later a docu- ing a bit lost, and asked if he can help. ment came to me, with the Rebbe’s The yungerman (known then as handwriting, concerning my father, the RAMASH, the previous Rebbe’s that was written during World War II. younger son in law who later became This document will be displayed the Rebbe) told my father in a heavy at the end of the book.

2. An Even Earlier Connection My father first met the Rebbe study Mishnayos by heart, which was in the mid 1940’s, prior to his first launched on the last day of Pesach of two private audiences with the in 1942. Previous Rebbe. I became aware (only I was sitting in a restaurant in in the summer of 2003) of an earlier Crown Heights with Rabbi Moshe connection that the Rebbe had with Schwartz, Chabad of South Broward’s my father. This episode was in regards Administrator since 1988, in Elul to the Previous Rebbe’s Campaign to 2003, drinking a coffee, when Rabbi 11 26 years / 52 stories

Shmuel Hurwitz came over to me The letter D before Tennenhaus and asked me if my father’s name could have been mistaken for an O, was Dovid. so the Rebbe adjusted the D with a I answered in the affirmative, pencil, put a period after the D, and and Rabbi Hurwitz told me he has a just to make things even clearer, present for me, filled with the Rebbe’s wrote the letter D on the right side handwriting. of my father’s name. It was an index card, with seven The letter h in Bathurst could the result of seven raffles, that possibly have been mistaken for the ,גורלות my father participated in, as part of letter n, so the Rebbe elongated the the Previous Rebbe’s campaign to letter h to make it clear that it was study Mishnah by heart and purify an h. the atmosphere, etc. On the back of the index card the Sure enough, the Rebbe served Rebbe wrote: משניות בעל פה .as an administrator to this campaign דוד טענענהויז Here are 5 observations in connection to this card, in addition How Rabbi Hurwitz obtained this to the fact that each raffle allotted index card (and many more) is a story each participant to be responsible for another occasion. to study either 3 or 6 chapters of the With particular Divine Mishnah by heart: Providence, I became aware of The Rebbe wrote in Rashi letters this index card, shortly before an important meeting, in which we had שבת:(apparently for the first raffle) Shabbat 19-24). great success. This meeting helped) י״ט- כ״ד the third shaped the future of Chabad of South) ג׳ ז-י״ב The Rebbe wrote raffle 7-12). Broward, its growth and its branches.

3. My Dear Friend… In a letter in 1946 from the Previous Rebbe to my grandfather,

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the great grandmother, Tovah Devorah ,ז״ל ,Reb Yisroel Tennenhaus Rebbe tells my grandfather to partner Dalfen, is second from left. in business with my father. My grandfather was well learned It is interesting to note that the in the Talmud, as was my father. Previous Rebbe refers to my father Also in the picture is Rabbi Leibel my great uncle and aunt ,ז״ל ,my dear friend. Our Rebbe Kramer ,ידידי as my ,ז״ל ,Yossel and Clara Hutman ידידי generally did not use the term - my dear friend- when addressing great uncle and aunt Mayer and ,some of the Dalfen’s ,ז״ל ,Chassidim and others etc. Bertha Sand The Previous Rebbe, in his earlier and others. correspondence with my father, I only saw this picture when I before they met in 1946, did not refer recently visited my sister in Efrat, .my dear friend. Israel -ידידי to my father as Only after my father had his first The Sand’s housed the Mikvah Yechidus - private audience, with the that my father built in Bathurst in Rebbe, did the Previous Rebbe, in all their basement. correspondence with my father from Mr. Manuel Hutman, may he live the first Yechidus onward, refer to my until 180, told me many times, that my dear friend. my father sat in the back of his store ,ידידי father as I believe my grandfather had a in Bathurst with his Gemara, relying beard when he was in Europe before on others to sell the merchandise, he emigrated to Canada in 1938. My and in this manner finished the entire Shas (Talmud) before he got married.

4. Stay in Business In 1947, my father was considering Yeshiva and in university to study to giving over his business in Bathurst to become a Doctor. his brother to run (HaTomim Moshe There is a letter from the Previous and he wanted to go study in Rebbe to my father, with instructions ,(ז״ל

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not to study medicine, but to continue Talmud for decades), but my father his business in Bathurst, and to focus refused, saying “I’ll leave that for the on finding the right shidduch. children.” Shortly thereafter my Uncle When my brother in law Rabbi -was study ,שי׳ Solomon הכהן Moshe moved to Israel, and changed Steve his last name to Arazi, served in the ing for Semicha, my father studied -on a regu ,יורה דעה IDF, fought in the Sinai Campaign in together with him 1956, etc. lar basis. told me that Despite not receiving “formal ע״ה My mother -asked my Rabbinical ordination”, on numer זצ״ל Rabbi Hirschprung father a number of times to accept ous letters to my father, my father is Semicha (Rabbinical Ordination) referred to as “Rabbi”, both on the from him (as they studied together envelope and in the letter.

5. Tear Up Your Checklist In one of my father’s two private you are not perfect yourself, you audiences with the Frierdiker Rebbe, should throw away this list.” in the late 1940s, the Rebbe asked my Shortly after this Yechidus father why he was not yet married. My (private audience) my father became father replied that he had a checklist engaged with my mother. The story of what he was looking for in a wife, was told to me by my mother long and was waiting to find someone with after my father passed away… all of the 10-20 qualities on his list. This story I shared with numer- matchmakers) many who) שדכנים The Frierdiker Rebbe asked to look ous at the checklist, which was in my have told me that this helps them in father’s pocket. their profession succeed in making matches) when there are) שידוכים The Frierdiker Rebbe read the list, smiled and said “this list is for “reasons” for men and women to balk …(match) שידוך someone who is perfect. Being that at a good

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6. The Frierdiker Rebbe’s Yechidus Rabbi Sholom Menachem Mendel the occasion of my 9th birthday. I Simpson of blessed memory was wrote a letter to the Rebbe in 1966 the son of Rabbi Eliyahu (Yaichel) before my birthday at the encourage- .ז״ל ,a Secretary of the ment of my brother, Rabbi Yisroel ,ז״ל Simpson Previous Rebbe. In this letter, the Rebbe encour- My father told me that on the two ages me to be a living example to all occasions that he merited to have a my friends. private audience with the Previous The letter is signed by S.M. .ש.מ. סימפסון -Rebbe, it was the older Rabbi Simpson Simpson who was with him in Yechidus and Apparently, although the name translated to my father what the reads S.M. Simpson, the signature Previous Rebbe said. was actually signed by the Rebbe. Due to the Previous Rebbe’s On numerous occasions, the Rebbe illnesses and suffering, he had a signed his own letters to different speech impediment, especially in his people with the name S.M. Simpson. later years, and only someone who A number of letters from the was very close and very familiar to Rebbe to my brother, were also signed the Rebbe, could understand what by S.M. Simpson, as well as the letter the Rebbe was saying. to our family when my father passed My father told me that with- away, (when the Rebbe was infirmed out the older Rabbi Simpson, the due to a stroke). That letter in 1993, in the name (on ,בשם הרבי Previous Rebbe’s voice was practi- was signed cally inaudible. behalf of) the Rebbe. The Rebbe wrote me a letter at

7. Why Do You Need the Headache? It is known that the Rebbe was from Montreal, and had a group extremely close to the Chassidim Yechidus with all the Chassidim from 15 26 years / 52 stories

Montreal who came for Yud Shevat and learn, without any aggravation, in 1951. The Rebbe also had private but now the Chassidim are going to audiences with many Chassidim from bother the Rebbe day and night!” Montreal the night before the Rebbe The Rebbe replied, that if I would accept the leadership of the have Chassidim who work and are .(worth it) כדאי Chabad movement and would recite dedicated, then it’s his first maamar (discourse) at his The next night, a good part of the first Farbrengen as Rebbe. Farbrengen was focused on this idea, One of the people who had yechi- that in Lubavitch everyone has to do dus with the Rebbe, was my father. He their share, unlike other Chassidic had already signed a K’sav Hiskashrus groups, who rely totally on their (a petition proclaiming his accep- Rebbe. tance of the Rebbe), as he had known At the first Farbrengen, the the Rebbe for 5-6 years already, and Rebbe elaborated on this theme: In had befriended him. Chabad, unlike in other Chassidic The older Chasidim in New courts, one doesn’t completely rely York asked the Montreal Chassidim/ on the Rebbe. Everyone has to do. Rabbonim (who were younger than Everyone has to accomplish. It wasn’t they were) to beseech the Rebbe to enough that Abraham, the first of the accept the role of Rebbe and leader seven leaders, recognized and called of the Chabad movement. When they out to G-d. Abraham made others did, the Rebbe began to cry and told recognize and call out unto G-d. them to leave his office. Abraham showed that to really be As one can imagine, my father, connected to Hashem, you must get anticipating his private turn to go in others connected to HaShem. to the Rebbe, felt the Rebbe’s pain The Rebbe continued, that if and, his heart ached for the Rebbe someone doesn’t know Aleph-Beis, about to lose his private life etc. you must feel the responsibility to He told the Rebbe, “What does teach that person the Aleph-Beis. All head- this is part of the responsibility of our) קאפווייטיק the Rebbe need this ache)? The Rebbe could sit in a corner generation, the seventh generation,

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to bring the primary Divine Presence years, the Rebbe emphasizes how to back to this, the lowest of worlds. properly teach the Aleph-Beis accord- From day one, my father took ing to the correct Jewish manner. this mission to heart. Even in small- In a private audience with a town Bathurst, New Brunswick, start- Chabad Communal Leader from ing right after this Farbrengen, my Montreal in the 1950’s, the Rebbe said father taught children and others who about my father: He has a warm heart didn’t know the Aleph Beis in New that beats for Chabad! Brunswick, how to read the Aleph- Beis. In a letter from those early

8. First Letter The first correspondence known with, as they had discussed when my to me is a letter from the Rebbe to father was in NY. my father. Dated 1 Sivan, 5711- 1951, The Rebbe continues writing, the Rebbe begins by expressing his joy that it would be good for my father to that my father wrote the Rebbe that have others join him when he learns my mother was feeling well, and that Torah, or at least that he influences business was going well. others to study Torah. The Rebbe continues, that the The Rebbe concludes, that he has day before, Erev Rosh Chodesh enclosed with the letter the Sicha Sivan, when he was at the Ohel of (the Rebbe’s talk) of Lag B’Omer, the Previous Rebbe, he mentioned my and when my father learns the Sicha father for everything he needs, with it will certainly benefit his service to the hope that in the future, my father HaShem. will continue sharing good news. The Rebbe signs off with the bless- The Rebbe goes on to write, ing of Chag Sameach (for Shavuos) inquiring what established Torah and that my father should receive study classes my father was busy the Torah with joy and innermost

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satisfaction. health to my father and his whole In his own handwriting, the family, followed by the Rebbe’s holy Rebbe adds the blessings for good signature.

9. Dancing Hakofos With the Rebbe On Simchas Torah 5712, (1951), but that he wouldn’t have put his arm which was the first formal Simchas back on the Rebbe’s shoulder, had the Torah of the Rebbe’s nesius( leader- Rebbe put his arm on his shoulder. ship) the Rebbe didn’t dance with the In Chabad, one does not extend Rashag (his brother-in-law) as was his “Sholom” to the Rebbe. It is done by custom in later years, but with older other Chassidim with their Rebbe but chassidim. Chabad Chassidim do not shake their My father was upstairs in 770 on Rebbe’s hand. Even as a youngster, a table along with other chassidim the comment by my Melamed seemed from Montreal, where services and moot: The Rebbe didn’t put his arm Hakafos were held, when suddenly on my Melamed’s shoulder, he put his the table collapsed, and he landed arm on my father’s shoulder… on the floor. Yet my father (originally a As he got up, he felt an arm on his Viznitzer Chossid) didn’t hesitate for shoulder — it was the Rebbe’s arm. a second, put his arm on the Rebbe’s merited) to) זוכה He then put his arm on the Rebbe’s shoulder, and was for forty five ,צדיק shoulder, and they danced together the holy touch of a for 45 minutes to the tune of what minutes! We see from the Hayom Yom .כמופת הייתי later became After 45 minutes my father how special it is when a Tzaddik (See stopped because he was tired. I was Hayom Yom 14 Teves, regarding the later told by one of my Melamdim Baal Shem Tov and the Shpole Zayde) (teachers) that he remembers how places a hand on someone. my father danced with the Rebbe, When this story was briefly

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published in the Kfar Chabad a big deal out of it) I never asked Magazine in 1994, the late Rabbi Leib my father’s contemporaries for the .came over to me and said, details of that 45 minute dance ,ז״ל Kramer “The story of your father dancing Certainly one day, the details of with the Rebbe for 45 minutes was the dance will be told. Either way, not adequately described. There was there’s no doubt that the Rebbe danc- so much detail, so much simcha, so ing for 45 minutes with my father much intensity, the story must be Hakofos vividly made an everlast- rewritten.” ing Chassidishe vibrant, warm, and For whatever reason, (proba- joyous impact on my father and on bly because my father never made anyone he influenced.

19 19 26 years / 52 stories The Rebbe’s Man in Bathurst

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10. Miracle Mother and Child My father spoke to the Rebbe on wheeling the mother into the oper- the telephone on 3 different occasions ating room. He quickly explained the (that I am aware of) after the Rebbe basics of Taharas Hamishpocha and had already become Rebbe. Normally, Mikvah, and what the Rebbe had said. one would only be able to speak to a The family agreed, and refused the member of the Rebbe’s Secretariat. operation. On one occasion, in approxi- The doctors were furious, and mately 1951, Mr. F., a Jewish busi- asked my father if he would take nessman in Bathurst, N.B., called my responsibility for the mother and father, with an emergency: his wife baby. My father agreed, and signed was in middle of a dangerous labor the papers that they brought him. in which the doctors said that either This detail was told to me by Rabbi who frequently ,ז״ל the mother or baby would not make Moshe E. Gerlitzky it. The doctors wanted to save the visited Bathurst on behalf of the mother’s life by aborting the baby. Lubavitcher Yeshiva in Montreal. Mr. F. asked my father to pray. My Baruch Hashem, soon after, father right away called the Rebbe, a healthy baby was born and the who got on the phone. The Rebbe mother was healthy as well. A few said to go immediately to the hospital years later, (approximately 1953 or and tell the family that they should 1954) when my father was in NY for not operate, on condition that the Simchas Torah, he came into 770 on parents accept upon themselves the Shemini Atzeres in the morning and laws of Taharas Hamishpocha (family was told that Rabbi Chodakov (head purity), Mikvah, etc. of the Rebbe’s secretariat) wanted to “Tell them the basics,” the Rebbe see him right away. said, “And if they accept upon them- Rabbi Chodakov told my father selves these laws, both the mother that the Rebbe wanted to see him and child will live.” My father ran in Yechidus (a private audience) straight to the hospital as they were on Shemini Atzeres in the morning

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before Shacharis! compromised their conviction to When he walked in to Yechidus, this Mitzvah. Women in Bathurst either traveled ז״ל the Rebbe asked my father why he like my mother wasn’t by lekach (distribution of sweet to Moncton, New Brunswick, or to honey cake) on Hoshana Rabba. The Montreal (over 500 miles by train) Rebbe then gave my father a piece of to use the Mikvah. lekach, a second piece for our family, A few years later, my father with and then a third piece for the family the Rebbe’s blessings and monetary of Mr. F. with the instruction, “Tell assistance built a Mikvah in Bathurst them not to take shortcuts in Taharas in the basement of my late Great Hamishpocha.” Uncle Mayer and Great Auntie Bertha .ז״ל Apparently, this family had Sand

11. Stopping an Intermarriage One of the other occasions when him to think about the past 20 gener- the Rebbe personally spoke to my ations of his family, where they lived, father on the telephone, involved the how they behaved and what their lives following: were all about. A young Jewish man in Bathurst, Then, said the Rebbe, ask this New Brunswick, was planning to young man to think about the 20 marry a non-Jew. All of my father’s generations of the ancestors of this pleading with the individual to not non-Jewish woman: Where they lived, go through with the intermarriage how they behaved, and what their was to no avail. lives were all about. My father called the Rebbe’s As soon as my father got off the office with this dilemma, and very phone, he reached out to this Jewish shortly, the Rebbe got on the phone. man, sat down with him, and asked The Rebbe told my father to sit him to reflect on his ancestry in the down with this young man, and ask past 20 generations, and on the past

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20 generations of the ancestry of the with this non-Jewish girl. non-Jewish woman. In a short time, this man found No sooner did the conversation a Jewish girl, got married, and had end, that this man had complete much pride in his Jewish children and remorse, and immediately broke up grandchildren.

12. More Nachas From Small Town Farbrengen My father once made a Farbrengen a good one, it doesn’t matter as much in the mid 1950’s in Bathurst, New where the soldier has been sent, the Brunswick for 19 Kislev, (The New key is to complete the mission. At a Year of Chassidus when the founder later date, the soldier may yet be sent of Chabad, The Alter Rebbe, was to a higher mission. released from Czarist Prison) and A number of years ago, I publi- wrote to the Rebbe that it didn’t have cized this letter, and heard from ,enjoyment) as the numerous “small town” Shluchim) געשמאק the same ,(strength) חיזוק larger farbrengens in Montreal. that it gave them The Rebbe wrote back, that you not to compare themselves to the can never know where the nachas Shluchim of the big cities, but to ruach (pleasure HaShem receives) is realize that the programs etc in the greater. He then gave the explanation small towns, can give HaShem in -many instances more nachas (plea ב׳ מיני from Chapter 27 of Tanya of two types of tasty foods: sure), than the big programs in the— מטעמים sweet and spicy. big cities. You never know which Farbrengen gives Hashem more pleasure, just like spicy food can sometimes be better than sweet food. In the same letter, the Rebbe wrote that if the general is

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13. Surprised You Did Not Report Yud Shevat The following are two letters, one In the published letters of the from the Previous Rebbe addressed to Previous Rebbe, it is pointed out by my parents in honor of their upcom- the editors, that the Previous Rebbe ing wedding, which took place on 21 started signing his name Yitzchok Shevat 1949, (exactly 70 years ago) with a large Yud, exactly one year and one to my father in 1959 (exactly before his passing, on 10 Shevat 1949. 60 years ago) which expresses So this enclosed letter to my parents wonderment why my father didn’t is one week after this custom started. report about his Yud Shevat obser- The Rebbe was asked during that vance etc., with the Rebbe expressing year, for the reason that his father in confidence that my father’s obser- law the Rebbe signed his name with a vance of the customs etc of the 10th big Yud etc, and the Rebbe responded: the reason for — הטעם על זה לא שמעתי of Shevat should have an impact on the entire year ahead. this I have not heard. Of particular interest is: In the letter to my father the Both letters are dated on the 17th Rebbe expresses his appreciation of ע״ה of Shevat, (albeit ten years apart). the good news that my mother The Yud of the Previous Rebbe’s was feeling better, and also mentions in his name Yoseph that he considered a close relative of יצחק) signature Yitzchok) is written with a large Yud, my father “internally religious”. as a Yud is written in the Torah.

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14. Pesach in Bathurst My father in the mid 1950’s went my sister. Adele defiantly proclaimed: to the farm a week or two before I DO NOT DRINK MILK FROM Pesach, with my brother Rabbi Yisroel COWS! I ONLY DRINK MILK FROM ...BOTTLES .ז״ל and my sister Adele ז״ל (Sroli) My father and siblings watched In Bathurst, my father partici- the milking of a cow, and came home pated in one of the Rebbe’s earliest with milk for Pesach. campaigns, of giving out Shmurah -Matzah to the small Jewish commu ז״ל The next day, my mother poured a cup of (Pesach) milk for nity and beyond.

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15. Studying Torah during business hours Reb Aron Dalfin, may he live until Chassidishe Parsha”)in the back of 180, from Crown Heights, is a second my store, while you are in Bathurst. cousin to my father z”l, being a great Your father, Reb Aron said, nephew of my great grandfather insisted on paying me. I had no Menachem Mendel Dalfen, z”l. money, and he paid me $8 per hour. He shared with me his excitement Today, in Canadian money, it would on reading “25 Years 26 Stories”, and be the equivalent of over $70 an hour! retold to me a story I had once heard I couldn’t believe 1-that a man, in from him a number of years ago. the middle of a business day, totally In 1958, Reb Aron visited Bathurst, relied on his salespeople, and sat with New Brunswick for about two weeks. me (and often by himself) studying I was at the time a one year old baby. Torah, with zero interest in what was Being that he had studied going on in the business; eight years in Tomchei T’mimim - 2- I was floored by the amount Lubavitch, my father was excited that he paid me, $8 an hour, a sum to see someone who had formally that was unheard of in those days, studied many years Chassidus. for a learning partner... Since the Rebbe wrote a letter Your father’s dedication to Torah to my father in 1956, to study more study, and total disregard for how Chassidus (see 25 Years 26 Stories, his business was going, reminded me story # 19), this was a golden opportu- of the Chassidim of years ago, yet I nity for my father to heed the Rebbe’s merited to see this with my own eyes! instructions. It left a perpetual impact on me that So he told Reb Aron: There are I will never forget! salespeople in my store who can handle the business. Let’s learn every day for one hour Likkutei Torah, (Discoures in Chassidus from the Alter Rebbe, often referred to as “the

26 26 years / 52 stories A Special Connection

27 26 years / 52 stories

16. Always on the Rebbe’s Mind At one point while living in by the Rebbe. This is a prime exam- the small town of Bathurst, New ple of how the Rebbe thought of my Brunswick, my father began to feel father, independent of any prior quite lonely. When he next met up correspondence. when visiting Montreal in the 1950’s This particular letter, the Rebbe with the famous chossid, Mashpia begins by writing that it’s been a while since he (the Rebbe) has heard from ,ז״ל ,and Mekubel Reb Volf Greenglass he complained how he feels that the my father, and he hopes that this is a Rebbe isn’t thinking about him, and sign that all is well. he is “no longer on his radar”. He said The Rebbe continues in the letter that certainly the Rebbe thinks more to discuss my father’s influence on of the New York Chassidim, who can some people regarding the Mitzvah of see the Rebbe every day, and even the Taharas Hamishpocha Family Purity Chassidim from Montreal, who were (Mikvah) with the emphasis that able to visit the Rebbe more often every effort is guaranteed to bring than my father. about results. Reb Volf listened, and the In conclusion, the Rebbe next time he was in Yechidus, (a expresses his hope that my father private audience with the Rebbe) he used his influence on inspiring the recounted this conversation to the children of Bathurst and the neigh- boring communities regarding the זאג“ ,Rebbe. The Rebbe told Reb Volf holiday of Purim, pointing out that עם, אז נאך וויפל ער טראכט וועגן זיך איך טראכט tell him, that however “children” can also mean adults who“ וועגן עם נאכמער״ much he thinks about himself, I think are young in knowledge. about him even more.” The Rebbe enclosed in this letter (general letter) מכתב כללי Most letters from the Rebbe his recent to my father were responses to my with the hope that my father will father’s letters to the Rebbe. Several, utilize it accordingly. however, were completely initiated

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17. Yechidus in Latin ”!was a linguist (depressed). Let’s converse in Latin ע״ה My father who was fluent in English, Yiddish, So for 40 minutes the Rebbe Hebrew, German, Romanian, French, and my father spoke, about various and Latin. subjects, all in Latin! The conver- In addition to math and other sation in Latin clearly uplifted my secular subjects, he also taught father’s spirits. French and Latin. His colleagues told Obviously, the Rebbe (who me, that he was the only professor in was a far greater linguist than my Montreal who was actually able to father) also spoke Latin as a language. speak Latin fluently as a language, Recently I was reading the biogra- (not merely as a subject). phy of the fourth Rebbe, the Rebbe Once in the 1950s, when he Maharash, Rabbeinu Shmuel, and walked into Yechidus (a private there it mentions that the Rebbe …was fluent in Latin as well מהר״ש audience with the Rebbe), the Rebbe מרה שחורה told him, “You look a bit

18. 17th Century French My father studied at Universities audience with the Rebbe. in New Brunswick in the 1940’s He asked the Rebbe for a blessing and 1950’s and in Montreal during that he succeed in his tests etc. The the 1960’s and 1970’s. He earned Rebbe asked him specifically what three BA’s, including a Bachelors of he was being tested on. My father Education, an MA, and was in middle told the Rebbe, that amongst the of studying for a PHD when he had different subjects, he was being tested to curtail his studies. on French Literature from the 17th When studying for his Bachelor Century. of Education in the 1950’s, before To my father’s total surprise, his examinations, he had a private the Rebbe began to discuss with my 29 26 years / 52 stories

father the specific French Literature Chassidus. He knew the Rebbe had that he was going to be tested on. The a vast knowledge in secular stud- discussion actually helped my father ies, including having studied in the get top marks in his exams! Sorbonne and in the University of My father walked out of the Berlin, and specializing in Naval Yechidus (private audience) totally Engineering. amazed at the Rebbe’s range of But he was totally flabbergasted knowledge. He knew that the Rebbe at the Rebbe’s wide range of knowl- was a world renowned Gaon, a great edge of French Literature in the 17th scholar - in Talmud, Kabbalah and Century!

19. Print Before Counterfeit My father was fond of Seforim My colleague from Chabad of and books, and my parents favorite Princeton, Rabbi Dovid Dubov, who “date” was visiting the Jewish Public has compiled a voluminous set of with ילקוט משיח וגאולה Library. I will therefore share some Seforim called stories related to Seforim and books. insights on each Torah portion related 1. In the 1950’s, during a private to Moshiach and Geulah, was pleased audience (yechidus) the Rebbe asked to hear this as he occasionally quotes my father (knowing that he was the Damessek Eliezer in his Seforim. was about ע״ה originally a Viznitzer Chossid) why 2. When my mother Viznitz doesn’t publicize (and study) to publish her book on the Holocaust, the Chassidic Sefer Damessek Eliezer entitled Eva in 1959, the manuscripts from the Viznitzer Rebbe (Rabbi were stolen and a different “version” Eliezer Hager, 1891-1946) known of Eva, based on my mother’s book as the Damessek Eliezer. (There was indeed published. (My mother are numerous Seforim that carry kept in her files the book review by ”Damessek the New York Times of this “stolen — דמשק אליעזר :this name Eliezer). book also called Eva).

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The Rebbe’s advice to my father, my love for Seforim came to me from upon hearing of the theft of the manu- my father, who loved to buy and learn scripts, was to publish the “real Eva”, from many Seforim, and had a large ASAP, before the counterfeit Eva was collection of Seforim, I will share a to be published. story of mine with the Rebbe and My father made many phone Seforim. calls, and the printing company In the late 1980’s, on a Sunday that was able to publish the real Eva before Pesach, I was at the Chabad immediately, was in Quebec City. House in Davie, that was located on My father ran to Quebec City, University between Sheridan and and they told him he has to use the Stirling. That is where one of our name of a publishing company for the Hebrew Schools and Preschool was book to be printed. located in the late 80’s and early 90’s. He and my mother immedi- A lady Mrs. Dinnerstein, whose ately came up with the name, AIRE husband’s grandfather was a teacher PUBLISHERS, with “AIRE” being the in the Yeshiva Torah Vo’Daas, was acronym of his four children: Adele, Pesach cleaning, and she drove by the Israel, Raphael and Esther. Chabad House with a donation of a Being that the book was published box of 20 Seforim. in Quebec City, the printer only spoke Expecting Birnbaum Siddurim, French, and Eva ended up with over I quickly opened the box, and was a hundred typos… surprised to see some ancient The Rebbe refers to Eva in several Seforim. letters as “the Sefer that your wife I immediately contacted the wrote”. Rebbe’s Library, and was told to fax When Eva first hit the bookstores, the name and the edition of each 2,000 copies were sold at Eaton’s in Sefer. The Rebbe was interested, I was Downtown Montreal on the very first told, in every edition of every Sefer. day it was available to the public! What I thought would be of most 3. Although this text is primarily interest to the Rebbe and the Library, about my father and the Rebbe, since was a book of responsa by Rabbi

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Yaakov Veil on the laws of Shechita, The Library was interested in, ritual slaughter, published in the year however, six Seforim! ,Today this Sefer is 470 So after receiving these Seforim ! ש״ט — 5309 years old! I went to New York, and presented Rabbi Veil lived in the time these Seforim to the Rebbe during period between the last Rishonim, “Dollars”- telling the Rebbe that earlier Torah commentators, and first these Seforim are not in the Rebbe’s Achronim, later Torah commentators. Library. וויפל ספרים :Sure enough, this book was The Rebbe responded How many Seforim are there ?זיינען דא already in the Rebbe’s Library, but six). The) זעקס :at that time they were interested in here? I answered פאר א ספר דארף מען :the First Printing of this Sefer, which Rebbe responded for a Sefer one must pay), and) צאלן was published two years earlier, in .gave me six extra dollars . ש״ז — 5307

20. Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary .told me that Kislev שי׳ Reb Meir Plotkin celebrated the Rebbe’s Last year, 14 Kislev, marked 90 ע״ה my father birthday back in the 1950’s, (long years since the great wedding of the before the Rebbe’s birthday was Rebbe and the Rebbetzin in Warsaw publicly celebrated by Chassidim in in 1928, attended by thousands of the 1960’s and onward) and would people, including many Chassidic send the Rebbe every year before 11 Rebbes and great Torah Scholars such זצ״ל הי״ד Nissan a Birthday Card, with warm as Rabbi Menachem Zemba founder ,זצ״ל greetings. and Rabbi Meir Shapiro My father told me that he also of the Daf Yomi and head of the world used to often send the Rebbe and renowned Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin. ,an Anniversary Card זי״ע Rebbetzin for their Wedding Anniversary on 14

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21. The Rebbe anticipates next letter In this letter dated 17 father makes no mention of health MarCheshvan 5720, (1959), the Rebbe matters, and hopes that’s a sign that responds to a letter my father wrote everything is good, and points out on Erev Shabbos. that certainly, in the next letter my The Rebbe says he will pray for father writes, he will explicitly speak my father at the Ohel, for what was about health matters. The Rebbe adds requested, and he hopes my father that essentially, good health is more received an earlier (recent) letter important than good Parnossah- from the Rebbe (although my father sustenance, and that both are didn’t mention this letter) and the necessary for a Jew to receive from Rebbe emphasizes that the blessings Hashem’s full, open, holy and broad of everyone should be fulfilled, and as Hand- and just because one may be we request, in a manner that the good lacking in one area (mezonei - suste- is fulfilled in a revealed way. nance) it is not a reason to overlook The Rebbe continues that this is the blessing of Hashem in the other 2 one’s children and ,חיי and בני ) especially relevant to the year that areas they were in, the 200th year of the health), and by not overlooking these Yahrzeit-Hilulah of the Baal Shem 2 it will bring a greater brocha in the Tov, who famously translates the 3rd area as well (the more sustenance .(one receives - מזוני - verse “when you see the donkey etc struggling with its burden etc, help it The Rebbe signs off with “await- (him) out”- which the word donkey- ing for good news in everything ”.the coarseness mentioned -חומר is related to -חמור and physicality of the body- implying This letter is interesting on many that one should not afflict the body, levels. On a practical level, the Rebbe but rather help it out, so that every- doesn’t write “if you write me another one should have all their needs both letter”, but casually writes “in your materially and spiritually. next letter you will specifically write”. The Rebbe concludes that my This highlights how the manner

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of correspondence that the Rebbe had EXPECTED that my father would with my father, was a constant “back respond with a letter in return. This and forth”, and after every letter the manner of correspondence went on Rebbe wrote my father the Rebbe for over three decades!

22. Dear Beloved Rebbe After leaving home at the age father, who received some hundred of 16, in September 1973, to learn in letters and written responses from Morristown, NJ, I once visited home the Rebbe, often received very warm a few months later, and noticed my and loving touches in his correspon- father was writing a letter to the dence with the Rebbe. Rebbe. One example, is a letter, written Somehow, I glanced at the top of to my father on the occasion of the the letter, and was surprised that my wedding of my late sister Adele, Chaya whose 18th Yahrzeit is) ,ע״ה ,Aydel טייערער :father addressed the Rebbe Dear and Beloved this coming Elul), before she married) און ליבער רבי שליט״א Rebbe, etc.) Thinking I was a “know my brother-in-law, Reb Yitzchok it all”, after several months in an Lebovics, may he live until 180! out-of-town Yeshiva, I exclaimed to When mentioning my sister, who איידל ,my father: “Aren’t you supposed to at that time had only one name Aydel), the Rebbe used the more) ”?כ״ק אדמו״ר שליט״א :address the Rebbe ,Aydele ,איידעלע The Honorable, Holy etc., etc., which loving derivative of is a more reverent title but (perhaps) which is probably how my father less loving. referred her to the Rebbe. My father gave me an “Archie My sister Adele, on the other Bunker” look, which implied: “What hand, when she received letters do you know about the Rebbe and I?” from the Rebbe, was addressed by .Aydel ,איידל And that was that. the Rebbe with the name Sure enough, over the years, my It reminds me how when I

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brought friends and lay leaders to them in Yiddish. If I addressed the the Rebbe, if I addressed the Rebbe Rebbe in English, the Rebbe would in Yiddish, the Rebbe would address address the Baalei Batim in English.

23. From Dovid to Avrohom Dovid My father always went with the At some point in the 1960’s, an name Dovid or David. All correspon- uncle of my father told my father that dence from the Rebbe to my father he was at my father’s bris in Radautz, until the mid to late 1960’s was always Romania in 1921, and he remembers addressed to Reb Dovid, etc. that my father was named Avrohom As a matter of fact, he always Dovid… preferred a single name, even when My father was surprised, espe- it came to naming others. His mother cially since Avrohom Dovid was a was actually Sheva Esther, but when common name on his mother’s side, he named my sister Esti (may she the Dalfen family, but not on the live until 180), he opted to name her Tennenhaus side, and he was sure just Esther. that on the Tennenhaus side he was Even at my bris, on a winter Dovid ben Yisroel and his father was Friday in Bathurst, New Brunswick, Yisroel ben Dovid, and his grandfa- in 1957, he was about to name me with ther was Dovid ben Yisroel etc., etc. Refoel) when my Not knowing what to do, he) רפאל ,one name brother Uncle Joe Faust, wrote a letter to the Rebbe with this ז״ל mother’s may he live until 180, interjected and “new information” from his uncle. Refoel From then on, the Rebbe always) רפאל ראובן insisted I be called addressed my father as Reb Avrohom הי״ד Reuven), after my grandfather who was murdered by the Nazis Dovid… (along with my grandmother Adele in a Concentration Camp in (הי״ד Riga, Latvia.

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24. Your Work is the Work of Heaven It is known that with the Rebbeim on a verse in the second book of in Chabad, they didn’t exaggerate etc Shmuel, 23:2. It is also the name of when addressing people with specific a book on responsa by the author of titles. the Ben Ish Chai. As mentioned in an earlier story The Rebbe also, on occasion, his - מלאכתו מלאכת שמים the Previous Rebbe started used the term ,(#3) addressing my father with the endear- work is the work of heaven, alluded to my dear friend, in all in the Talmud in Sotah 20a, in regards ,ידידי ing title of correspondence following their first to a scribe. meeting (but not before). The letter below has this title, in a letter addressed ,מלאכתו מלאכת שמים ,Our Rebbe, on the other hand to my father, on the occasion of the - ידידי generally did not use the title my dear friend. engagement of my sister Esti to Rabbi Solomon, may they both הכהן At the same time, the Rebbe used Steve numerous titles when addressing my live until 180. father: I merited to begin receiving the occupied in - עוסק בצרכי צבור title of ותיק וחסיד הנכבד In addition to which was standard in all community affairs, while I was still in ,והנעלה letters from our Rebbe, which means Kollel, (many of my friends did not a veteran (established) Chassid, receive this title while still in Kollel), honorable and elevated, the Rebbe when our firstborn Shmuel, may he .live until 180, was born - עוסק בצרכי ציבור often added the terms who is occupied in community affairs Why? I have some thoughts, etc to this title. that perhaps I will share on a later - וכו׳ and sometimes On occasion, the Rebbe addressed occasion. - רב פעלים my father with the term many are your accomplishments, as will be found in the next story (# 25 ) is based רב פעלים This expression

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25. The Rebbe’s Kindness It is very difficult to sum up Being that we had moved from the Rebbe’s greatness in one word: Outremont (Querbes) to Cote S Scholar (in all dimensions of the Luc (Cavendish) in the fall of 1972, revealed and hidden Torah and in our old phone number wasn’t being science), leader, organizer, servant forwarded to our new number any of HaShem, founder of modern day more, and Rabbi Chodakov needed Jewish Outreach, kind, etc etc. the new phone number. So today I will speak about the Shortly after, my father called Rebbe’s kindness, which surely will me, telling me what the phone call inspire all of us to add in our own was all about: Raphael, you can’t goodness and kindness. imagine how big a Rebbe the Rebbe In the early winter of 1974, I was is!!! And here’s the rest of the story: sitting in the study hall of the Yeshiva My father, who had a number of in Morristown, NJ, and a Bochur businesses in New Brunswick until (Yeshiva student) walked in to the we moved to Montreal in 1960, had Zal (study hall) and told me that the still maintained a business in New Rebbe’s secretary, Rabbi Binyomin Brunswick in the 1960’s. was on the phone looking He was partners with a Mr ,ז״ל ,Klein for me. Churchill, in Chatham-Newcastle, The phone meant the one pay (now part of the city Miramichi) phone (remember those?) that was but in the late 1960’s something was in the basement of the Yeshiva. “going wrong” in the business. I ran downstairs, and after Rabbi In 1968, I joined my father on a Klein asked me how Yeshiva was going trip by train to Chatham-Newcastle, etc, he told me that Rabbi Chodakov, to help for a few days (during the chief of the Rebbe’s Secretariat, Chanukah) with the business. We needs to speak to my father, and the stopped in both directions at the phone number he had for our home Bathurst train station, which was the in Montreal wasn’t working. last time I “saw” the town in which

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I was born. accomplishments, which was an extra It turns out, that the cashier (the title the Rebbe added to my father in sales lady) had been stealing from the this (and a few other) letter(s). store for many years, and this is why The letter was addressed on 28 the store went “belly up”. Teves, the birthday of the Rebbe’s The losses impacted my father mother, and it was a response to my greatly, and it took him many years father’s letter of 24 Teves, the Hilulah to “recover”. - Yahrzeit of the Alter Rebbe. Not long before Rabbi Chodakov There is a considerable amount reached out to my father, my father of the Rebbe’s handwriting in this had written to the Rebbe that he was letter, including the Rebbe inform- still trying to recover his losses, and ing my father of the loan, and how it if he (my father) could find some- could be paid up over 1-2 years, with one who could lend him $3-4,000, it “head” checks. would be a huge help in his road to In the closing blessings, the financial recovery. Rebbe gives my father a blessing to trust in HaShem -בטחון Sure enough, the Rebbe took the strengthen his initiative to lend my father $4,000 - Who supervises every single individ- US, (the equivalent of about $37,000 ual with particular Divine Providence, Canadian today!) and sent the money and blesses my father for good news. via special delivery express in a May we all be inspired to follow special letter. the Rebbe’s ways of kindness, The Rebbe added in address- and bring about the revelation of !Moshiach, NOW רב פעלים ing my father the term - someone who has great/many

26. The Rebbe Means Me On numerous occasions, the when he gives a directive re a Mitzvah Rebbe spoke how some Chassidim, Campaign etc at a Farbrengen, think,

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“the Rebbe doesn’t mean me. He’s for this special Mitzvah, sent to my referring to someone else”. father in Shevat, 1947 for $54. The It is obvious by reviewing the amount of $54 in 1947 would be correspondence my father had equivalent today in 2019 to the sum with the Rebbeim, how he was a of $600! true Chossid, who when the Rebbe Below the receipt is an envelope issued a directive, he immediately addressed to my father from the took action. Previous Rebbe with the postmark One of the special ways a Chossid of January 13, 1950, 15 days before the Previous passed away on Yud Shevat ,מעמד connects with a Rebbe is with a monthly gift by a Chossid to the (January 28, 1950). Rebbe for the specific upkeep of the This envelope likely contained Rebbe’s household. the letter of Mazal Tov to my father My father gave generously for on the birth of my late brother this purpose for many many decades. Rabbi Yisroel z”l, who was born on See story “Time for Tzedaka the fourth day of Chanukah 5710, Beruchnius”(#40) regarding a receipt December 19, 1949.

27. Hope You Received My Letter and Read It It is important as a Chossid, it is important to glean something to not only attend the Rebbe’s practical in your Avodas HaShem Farbrengens, and/or to read and (service to HaShem) by reading and learn the Rebbe’s Sichos (talks), studying the Rebbe’s Torah. Maamorim (Chassidic discourses) Needless to say, if the Rebbe and Igros Kodesh (letters) etc. sends you a letter, it’s not enough It is also (and most) important to to open it... one must also READ IT! “walk away” with something practical In this letter, dated 29 Menachem that you will add in your service to Av, 5720, (1960), the Rebbe acknowl- HaShem thanks to a Farbrengen, as edges receipt of a letter from my

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father with enclosures. sons (children) to HaShem your G-d, The Rebbe continues: And I hope, in exchange for those things that even though you don’t mention it, happened in this month, may it be that you duly received my response the Will of HaShem that you shall to your earlier letter, (and here the see with your physical eyes good that Rebbe adds with his holy handwrit- is visible and revealed, construction ing), AND READ IT (the earlier letter instead (in exchange) of destruc- ופרצת ימה the Rebbe sent to my father), may it tion, in a manner that is you shall spread - וקדמה וצפונה ונגבה be the Will of HaShem that from now on, you should only be able to report out (and strengthen) to the west and good news, good that is visible and to the east, and to the north and to בין המצרים revealed. the south, in exchange for As we find ourselves at the (in the narrow straits of the three conclusion and “seal” of the month weeks), in a practical manner through of Menachem Av, that as is its name, Moshiach. so is the month, that our Father in With blessing for good news. Heaven consoles His sons (children), M Schneerson My son, my firstborn Israel, you are

40 26 years / 52 stories The Chabad Approach

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28. Pioneering Jewish Outreach The Rebbe, as is well known, is himself in his room, waiting for some- considered the pioneer of modern one to come to him and tell him: You to make a living- I could - פרנסה Jewish outreach. need In this letter from 1954, the Rebbe help you etc etc. emphasizes his position, that nowa- This letter is a classic example of days (and possibly even years ago), how the Rebbe guided and nurtured one does not wait until someone my father, in taking the initiative to comes asking for Yiddishkeit, but spread Yiddishkeit to any Jew my one must go to the next person, and father encountered, and not to wait awaken their appetite for Yiddishkeit. until a Jew asked my father about In a “light spirited” analogy, the Yiddishkeit etc. Rebbe compares this to how HaShem Today, this approach is common came first, before anyone to Mt Sinai, by many Jewish organizations and when the Torah was given, waiting for individuals. Back in 1954, when this the Jews who were sleeping... letter was written, this perspective The Rebbe points out that taking and way of thinking and imple- the initiative is appropriate both in menting, was nothing short of material and spiritual matters. “revolutionary”. A businessman doesn’t sit by

29. Farbrengen in the Rain My father shared with me a Sukkah, even in the rain. I remember fascinating scene that took place at in the early 1960’s our family went to a Farbrengen with the Rebbe in the a hotel in S. Agathe for Sukkos. One Sukkah, including a talk the Rebbe night of Sukkos, it was pouring rain, gave that impacted my father for life. and 99% of the hotel guests ate in As is well known, Chabad the dining room. Despite the down- Chassidim eat and drink only in the pour, my father sat alone in the hotel 42 26 years / 52 stories

Sukkah, getting drenched, and some afternoon newspaper (remember children in the Dining Room were those?), his slippers, and a hot tea. looking out the window, screaming: He sits in his comfortable chair Mommy, there’s a man in the Sukkah! before supper, and certainly is worthy Some years before the hotel of relaxing after a hard day at work. experience, my father attended a Says the Rebbe, while huge Farbrengen with the Rebbe in the raindrops are rapidly drenching his Sukkah. Kapote and all his clothes through According to my father: It was and through: Relax? How can some- raining cats and dogs: Most Chassidim one relax at home at 5:00, 6:00PM in came prepared, wearing coats. The the afternoon, when there is a boy and Rebbe walked briskly into the Sukkah, a girl who lives on this man’s block, as always at the precise starting time, who never in their lives said a Brocha that everything came) ,שהכל נהי׳ בדברו .wearing a coat As soon as the Rebbe approached into the world by Hashem’s word) his chair, the Rebbe took off his coat, on a candy? draped it over his chair, and sat down My father continued that the as if he was in his house or in 770. Rebbe quoted a verse from Tanach The rain was relentless. The at this point (RT does not remember Rebbe’s demeanor was akin to this verse, but with a little research I the demeanor of someone sitting will G-d willing locate this talk from comfortably at home. the Rebbe and the verse he quoted), The downpour had no visual and perpetually impacted, my father effect on the Rebbe or on the and all the Chassidim in attendance. Farbrengen. The Sichos (talks) went One should always remember, that on as usual. even after a hard days’ work, one During the Farbrengen, in the must be focused to have self sacri- torrential rain, the Rebbe related fice in loving and reaching out to a the following: A man comes home fellow Jew, including a young boy from work, tired from a hard day’s and girl who never made a blessing work. His wife greets him with the on a candy…

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30. Vilna Gaon on Studying Pnimiyus HaTorah My father, while still in Europe, and from Mr Manuel Sand may he live was familiar with the Shulchan until 180 (first cousins of my father), Aruch of the Alter Rebbe, growing who met with the Rebbe before trav- up in Radautz, Romania. He was not eling to Israel. familiar, however, with the Tanya, and In this letter, the Rebbe encour- other Seforim of Chassidus Chabad, ages my father to study more when he arrived in Montreal in 1938. Chassidus, and quotes both Reb After being befriended by the Chaim Vital and also the Vilna Gaon, nine Shluchim of the Previous Rebbe, that by not studying the inner dimen- when they arrived in Montreal in sions of Torah, one holds back the October 1941, he started to study Geulah (the Redemption)! Tanya and other Chabad Chassidic The Rebbe concludes the letter classics. Nevertheless, my father’s by mentioning that he enclosed a “specialty” in Torah studies, for most booklet of Chassidus in this letter (as of his life, was in the Talmud and the the Rebbe often did in letters sent to Codes, the “revealed” part of Torah. my father), and expresses confidence In this letter from 1956, the Rebbe that my father bring merit to many thanks my father for the regards from with this booklet of Chassidus, and the merit of the) וזכות הרבים תלוי בו my father that he received from Mr that Manuel Dalfen, may he live until 180 public) is dependent on my father.

31. Teaching Chassidus to the Unfamiliar In 1956 my family apparently In general, there was a Minyan went to a hotel for Yom Tov (proba- in Bathurst only on Rosh Hashanah bly Sukkos etc). It was a few months and Yom Kippur. When my father had before I was born. Yahrzeit, he would travel to Montreal.

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In the letter below, the Rebbe Chassidus to all Jews. expresses surprise that my father did It’s interesting that when this not teach Chassidus at this Yom Tov letter was published in the Igros hotel program. Apparently, the person Kodesh of the Rebbe I was unfamiliar in charge of the Torah classes had with the letter. Most of my father’s told my father that the hotel guests letters from the Rebbe came from a were not familiar with Chassidus, and special file in his filing cabinet. This it seems my father had written the letter was not in the file. Rebbe that for this reason, he didn’t Many years ago, I was teaching teach Chassidus. Talmud from my father’s Shas (his The Rebbe writes that to the set of the Talmud) and as I turned contrary: The fact that the hotel guests the page, this original letter appeared! were unfamiliar with Chassidus and May this be a life lesson for all of you were on the scene was precisely us, that a good thing in Torah we must for you to reveal this dimension of always share, especially the revelation Torah to them! of the innermost teachings of Torah .called Chassidus עוסק Regarding Torah the word - work- is used. One doesn’t merely Furthermore, if people are unfa- study Torah. One occupies oneself miliar with Chassidus, we must not with Torah like a business. A business- shy away from sharing Chassidus, man asserts himself to seek “buyers”, but we must realize that our precise and doesn’t wait for customers to mission is to reveal this dimension merely show up. So too with Torah, of Torah to everyone who (until one doesn’t wait for someone to ask now) were not fortunate to study the for Chassidus, but one proactively essence of Torah: Chassidus Chabad. utilizes every opportunity to teach

32. Teaching Chassidus to the Unsuspecting My father told me the following about the late Rabbi Yaakov

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-a renowned Sofer learned, in both the revealed teach ,ז״ל ,Silberman (scribe) in Montreal. Rabbi Silberman ings of the Torah, and in Chassidus, was one of the Sofrim (scribes) who as well as in many secular subjects. the Rebbe requested to be present My father shared with me that at the completion of the writing of this was a classic example how some- Moshiach’s Sefer Torah prior to Yud times Chassidus reaches people when Shevat, 1970. people are unaware (at first) that Rabbi Silberman was not origi- what they are studying is Chassidus. nally a Lubavither Chossid. One day, The Rebbe often encouraged that (I believe in London in the 1940’s), he Chassidus be taught and spread in came across a Sefer that was without this manner, without (at first) speci- the cover, and was missing the first fying that it is Chassidus. The reason few pages of the Sefer. for this is very simple. The Sefer appealed to Rabbi Regrettably, from the early days Silberman, to the extent that he said, of Chassidus, myths and misinfor- “I want to be connected to whoever mation (fake news?) slandered the this Sefer is connected”. Chassidic Movement, its leaders A while later, Rabbi Silberman and its teachings. Sometimes this was informed, that the Sefer that misinformation made individuals so impacted him so greatly was actu- biased, that they wouldn’t want to ally the Tanya, the “written Torah” of associate themselves with Chassidus. Chassidus Chabad. He was my grade So in the Bais Yaakov, many times eight Melamed (Torah teacher) and my father gave over Chassidic teach- my favorite Melamed. He was very ings without specifying that it was Chassidus.

33. Tzedaka for Torah = Security for Israel At one point when living in was asked to head the Campaign in the Bathurst, New Brunswick, my father Maritime provinces (New Brunswick,

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Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and if anyone asks why his funding to Prince Edward Island), for the Jewish the various Israeli campaigns is not Federation, United Jewish Appeal etc. noticeable etc, he should respond He asked the Rebbe for advice, that his support is even more signif- and the Rebbe responded with a icant, because his donations and the letter, written several weeks after Torah (studied thanks to his support) the 1956 terrorist massacre in Kfar minimizes the danger, and therefore Chabad. less expenses are needed for physical The Rebbe emphasizes in this needs. letter to support the Torah institu- The Rebbe concludes that after tions in Eretz Yisroel, specifically the the tragedy in Kfar Chabad, there Chabad institutions etc in Israel- and should be revealed the attribute Compassion) which is) רחמים by supporting Torah study in Israel, of the danger is minimized. greater than the attribute of Chesed The Rebbe elaborates, that (Kindness).

34. A little light dispels a lot of darkness In this letter below, from 1960, - Hilulah - Yahrzeit of the Baal Shem .a general letter Tov ,כללי-פרטי which is a individualized to my father, the Mention is made that it was a Rebbe dates the letter on the Parsha response to my father’s letter of 28 of Chukas, quoting the end of the Sivan. (28 Sivan 1941, was the date verse (Bamidbar 21:17), and referring the Rebbe and Rebbetzin arrived in O New York, escaping France and the - פרשת עלי באר ענו לה the Parsha as well, arise (from the valley)! Raise Holocaust). The day 28 Sivan was your voices (in song) to it! publicly celebrated by the Rebbe and The Rebbe makes reference (as the Chassidim in the “later” years. was done throughout that year) In the letter, the Rebbe mentions that Tammuz is the month of Geulah הילולא that it was 200 years since the

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,used to tell me ז״ל Redemption. My mother - It should be the will of HaShem that whenever a Brocha was asked that good news should be reported from the Rebbe for a situation that that all the general and particular needed assistance due to something disturbances etc should be redeemed, that was difficult and/or unpleasant, and that this should lead to a renewal she would always remind my father of energy in the spreading of Judaism, that when the Brocha was fulfilled, and the spreading of the wellsprings and the situation improved, my father in particular, especially in connection should immediately tell the Rebbe the with the Holiday of Redemption 12-13 “good news”. Tammuz that is approaching. A Chossid doesn’t only ask the It is written in the holy letter(s) Rebbe for a Brocha. A Chossid has of the Baal Shem Tov, that this behav- the mentchlechkeit (the decency) ior draws near the true and complete to inform the Rebbe of good tidings, redemption with the righteous as well. Moshiach. In my monthly report that I send The Rebbe signs off with blessing to the Rebbe (Ohel), there is a cate- ”good news“ - בשורות טובות in all the aforementioned, and with gory called his holy handwriting adds “ and in - to inform the Rebbe of good news. his personal matters- as is simply As the previous Rebbe used to צרות understood).” say, that Chassidim can’t be) that they remember the Rebbe - חסידים After the signature the Rebbe adds: The connection to your letter when they have Tzoras - problems, is simple (underlined). If a bit of trouble etc. light pushes aside much darkness, A Chossid should always report certainly much light and source of to the Rebbe good news... illumination. And I await good news.

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35. Reb Peretz is Besimcha There is a story about the well million dollars a year!” known Chossid and Mashpia, Reb The Rebbe said, that this predic- published in the ament of Reb Peretz, having a torn ,ז״ל Peretz Mockin sefer about Reb Peretz. It was first Kapote, it’s possible he doesn’t even ס׳ גייט“ ,memento) at the notice it, and even if he does) תשורה printed in a It doesn’t effect) ”עם אין אינגאנצן נישט אן -wedding of one of the Mockin chil dren. The story is known thanks to him at all- it doesn’t bother him). happy) and) בשמחה Reb Peretz is ז״ל a letter my brother Rabbi Yisroel (will live a long life) ,מאריך ימים will be .שי׳ ,once wrote to Rabbi Berl Mockin My father was once in Yechidus (a and this person in Hollywood is not -won’t necessar) לאו דוקא and ,בשמחה ,private audience) in the early 1960’s Very shortly .מאריך ימים ily) will be יושר and asked the Rebbe, “Where is (fairness)? Reb Peretz Mockin goes after, her life came to a quick end… with a torn sirtuk (cloak), and before Reb Peretz, on the other hand, had a very long life, was ,מאריך ימים he has a Yechidus (private audience) was and merited to ,בשמחה with the Rebbe, he has to borrow a always truly nice Kapote from another Chossid, spend his last years in close proximity while Marilyn Monroe, a Hollywood to the Rebbe. makes five – להבדיל – movie star

49 26 years / 52 stories Transition from Bathurst to Montreal

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36. Permission to Leave Bathurst Towards the late 1950’s, my father thing to do, but certainly, with a was seriously considering moving preparation, at least a minimum away from the small town of Bathurst, preparation, and HaShem Who New Brunswick, to Montreal, for the sustains everything with grace, with sake of a good Jewish education for kindness and with compassion, will his children. find for you a livelihood from His full, .open, holy, and broad Hand ,טו״ב אייר תשי״ט In this letter, dated Iyar 17, 1959, the Rebbe writes that he The Rebbe continues, that since received my father’s letters from the we came from the month of Nissan 6th and the 9th of Iyar, even though and find ourselves in the month of the letters are not in the spirit of the Ziv (radiance- which literally means month of Ziv (ray or radiance) a term that the month of Iyar is radiant with used in the Tanach to describe the their beautiful new spring growth. month of Iyar. (See 1 Kings 6:1 and According to Chassidus, in the month 37- yerach ziv). of Nissan, the essence of HaShem was The Rebbe blesses my father, revealed to the Jewish people, in the that it should be the Will of HaShem, month of Iyar, only a ray and not the as expounded upon in the Rebbe’s essence of HaShem is revealed to the Communal letter for Pesach, that Jewish people. RT); everyone has the power to place And the month of Iyar which oneself from one extreme to another follows Nissan is when the Patriarchs extreme, both materially and spiri- (Avraham, Yitzchok, and Yaakov) tually, and that my father’s matters who were the brilliant (radiant) should practically change to “the ones of the world, were born. (The depths of above”, and is Hashem’s Patriarchs were born in Nissan, and Hand short? their brilliance fully illuminated the In general, writes the Rebbe, month of Iyar, since they were born the thought of relocating to the city right before Iyar, see Rosh Hashanah (Montreal) is now an appropriate 11:1 RT).

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And it is known the words of the someone else published “Eva”, very Arizal, that when the days are prop- similar to my mother’s Eva, albeit .then they with some “racy” content etc etc) נזכרים - erly remembered Esther In another story, I elaborated) ונעשים - are) properly kept 9:28), so you should increase in how the Rebbe instructed my father all your personal and communal to publish my mother’s book Eva matters, amongst all of Israel - via first, before the “counterfeit” Eva freedom and redemption to increase was published. Ziv-radiance- in the world, by the ray It is of interest that in this letter and illuminations of the actions of the Rebbe changed with his hand- our forefathers, and as is brought writing the date of the letter from 10 down in the Tanya, that all their limbs Iyar, to Tov (Good) 17 Iyar, apparently and all their actions (of the Avot - as an extra blessing to my father for the forefathers) were only to fulfill good... exclusively the Supernal Will, all the In addition, the mere fact that my days of their lives. father in the small Shtetl (town) of With blessings for good news in Bathurst in 1959, took the time to write all the aforementioned TWO letters to the Rebbe, THREE DAYS M Schneerson APART FROM EACH OTHER, one on Concerning what you write about 6 Iyar and one on 9 Iyar, shows to what the story of your wife, may she live, degree my father turned to the Rebbe in it would be appropriate that a lawyer all matters, and at all times, even several should write them that something is days in a week! His relationship with the not right etc. Rebbe was constant and ongoing! The last (postscript) sentence Perhaps I acquired this trait from my making reference to my mother father, of writing frequently letters etc to and a lawyer, apparently (to my the Rebbe. I wrote rather frequently to ז״ל understanding) refers to my mother’s the Rebbe before Gimmel Tammuz, and book Eva, which was published in the after Gimmel Tammuz I write even more year this letter was written (1959), frequently to the Rebbe (the Ohel)... but the manuscripts were stolen and

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37. Last Tishrei in Bathurst Although my father lived in expressed surprise that it seemed that Bathurst, New Brunswick from 1940- he (my father) wasn’t corresponding 1960, being that the children were in writing with his brother... getting older and needed a proper In regards to the High Holidays Chinuch- Jewish Education, the plan in Bathurst: Rosh Hashanah and Yom was to move to Montreal in 1960. Kippur were the only times of the year There are a number of letters that there was a Minyan in Bathurst. from the Rebbe concerning this move. When my father had Yahrzeit, he In a letter from the Days of would travel to Montreal. once ,ז״ל ,Selichos in 5719, 1959, the Rebbe Rabbi Hirsch Gansbourg wishes my father with the traditional told me that he had gone in the early blessings for the New Year. 1950’s to be the Chazzan in Bathurst. With his holy handwriting, the “Your father”, Rabbi Gansbourg Rebbe adds the blessings “to broaden told me, “was a very Chassidishe his Parnassah (livelihood) very soon”. Yid. The backyard of your house (525 In a postscript, the Rebbe writes Riverside Drive) was on the Bay of that he has already written that the Chaleur. Before your father built the move to Montreal is appropriate, but Mikvah in Bathurst, that’s where we that he should only move after the went to Toivel (immerse) on Rosh Holidays of Tishrei. Hashanah and Erev Yom Kippur. It The Rebbe also enclosed a letter was freezing cold, but that wouldn’t that he had written to my Uncle stop your father from going to the Moshe, (who lived in Israel) and Mikvah.”

38. Parnaasa Comes from Hashem It is apparent that a number of In a letter from 4 Teves 1960, letters from the Rebbe to my father the Rebbe responds to my father’s dealt with Parnassah- making a living. letter from Rosh Chodesh Teves 53 26 years / 52 stories

- the seventh night of Chanukah. there (outside) the light should reach, The Rebbe assures my father that and not in the same constant measure, מוסףthe Rebbe will pray at the Ohel for but specifically in a manner that is to add in the candles ,והולך מוסיף ואור what my father requested, and that my father should report good news and brightness, to the extent that in everything he wrote. the Ramban (Nachmonides - in his As to what my father wrote that Torah commentary in Behaaloscha) there were no “buyers” to my father’s says, concerning the miracle of (main) business: Chanukah, the lamps of Chanukah The Rebbe suggests to go to are perpetual, and all the blessings are Montreal for several days, to find perpetual, and the blessings refers to HaShem should bless - יברכך ד׳ וישמרך Parnassah there, and while he is in Montreal, a buyer for his business (in and protect you, and as our sages Bathurst) may come around, and not expound, that your possessions be necessarily from where my father was blessed. now looking. So shall it practically be in your Since there are “none amongst us matter. And then you will be preoc- who know anything at all”, for hidden cupied not from this that you wrote reasons only HaShem knows, we have (about), for our sages say, (concern- to look in many ways, and HaShem ing one’s livelihood) “it’s a wheel that should give you the way that is the turns etc”, and if G-d forbid one finds best. himself on the very bottom, it’s a sign May it be the Will (of HaShem), that the turn (elevation) is starting. as we are immediately coming from Your inconvenience (harassment) the days of Chanukah, and the time will assist you, so that you can justify of this Mitzvah is from when the sun all your questions and the tone of sets, when it becomes dark, and that’s your questions, although in the grace when a Jew lights and illuminates, after meals, and specifically in the first not only for himself, but also from blessing, which is from the Torah, it the doorway to the outside, that even says clearly that (HaShem) sustains

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with His goodness, grace, kindness, with your brother, may he live, in our and compassion, but as the world Holy Land, and your sisters, may they Halevai- we sure hope live, in Montreal. May it be the Will - הלואי ,says that we are holding at that level - (to (of HaShem) that also in this you practically see HaShem’s generous shall report good news. Parnassah that He gives us). This letter is clearly a lesson, that With blessings in all the whoever is struggling with Parnassah, aforementioned. (making a living) and even (and M Schneerson specially) at the very bottom rung, that is the clear sign, that “as the P.S. You don’t mention how things wheel turns”, the very bottom rung worked out with the Sefer (Eva) which is encouraging, because it’s the begin- your wife, may she live, published. ning of the wheel turning upward, and Also, if you are in correspondence one’s livelihood improving!

39. Tennenhaus (Bathurst) Montreal In this letter from the Days of Being that our family moved Selichos 1960, prior to the New Year in 1960 from Bathurst to Montreal, of 5721, the Rebbe wishes my father the Secretariat of the Rebbe may a Happy New Year etc (for my father have automatically maintained and everyone in his family to be our address etc in Bathurst - and inscribed and sealed for a good and this letter was originally (from the sweet year, in everything material Secretariat) addressed to my father .באטהוירסט -and spiritual) via the standard New in Bathurst Year’s letter the Rebbe wrote to many The Rebbe put a parenthesis individuals. The Rebbe concludes the around the word Bathurst, and in מנטרעאל :New Year’s letter with a handwritten his holy handwriting wrote .for good news. - Montreal - לבשו״ט blessing

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It is customary, when writing people who we correspond with, to a letter after 15 Av, to already wish be blessed for a Happy New Year, etc.

40. Time for Tzedaka Beruchniyus was a successful the institutions and to the collectors ע״ה My father businessman in the 1940s and 1950s at the same level that he gave when and was able to give very generously he was a businessman. to Tzedakah. I have in my possession The Rebbe responded: Your the special main Shlichus (mission) now is to ,מעמד many receipts of Tzedakah to support the Rebbe’s give Tzedakah b’ruchnius, spiritual personal household, which my father Tzedakah. This uplifted my father. gave to the previous Rebbe in the I told this story to a well known 1940s and later to our Rebbe, and the philanthropist, who was attending a amounts were extremely generous. Bris in my Shul. This philanthropist, He gave generously to many institu- who once “very generously” helped tions and to needy individuals as well. over one hundred Chabad Houses After we moved to Montreal in with serious “seed money” contri- 1960, my father shifted from being butions, had (for the time being) lost primarily a businessman to becoming his fortune. primarily an educator. After hearing what the Rebbe On one occasion, he told the told my father about his new primary Rebbe, that he felt bad, that as an mission of spiritual Tzedakah, he too educator he can’t give Tzedakah to was uplifted…

56 26 years / 52 stories Influence in Montreal

57 26 years / 52 stories

41. Implanting Love and Fear of Hashem My father was a well known was so enjoyable, that this got all the educator, teaching both formally in children quiet! They didn’t want to various schools after 1960, and also miss a learning session with cousin informally when he was in business David... from 1940-1960. In a letter from 1962 from the Both the Previous Rebbe and the Rebbe to my father when we already Rebbe expressed their satisfaction in were living in Montreal, the Rebbe my father’s efforts in teaching Torah in the second last paragraph empha- informally when in Bathurst, New sizes that his efforts with both his Brunswick. male and female students, instilling My father’s first cousin, Dr. within them love of HaShem and Sammy Hutman, may he live until fear of HaShem, which is the source 180, shared with me the following: of all Positive Commandments In New Brunswick, the cousins often and Negative Commandments , as had BBQ’s on Sundays in the various explained in Tanya at the beginning towns the extended Dalfen fami- of Chapter 4, will assist him in the lies (which included the Hutmans, blessings my father was requesting Sands, Tennenhaus’s, Litwins and and which the Rebbe addressed in Lehrers) lived, including Bathurst, the first part of the letter. Campbellton, Edmunston etc. The Of great interest to all the above, Glatt meat was regularly sent by train as I have mentioned elsewhere, is from Glatt’s in Montreal. that my father formally taught secular When the cousins (who were all subjects, yet the Rebbe considered his younger than my father) would come teaching as one would consider the to Bathurst, and they would make teaching of Torah! noise in our house, my father would tell them: If you don’t behave, I won’t study with you! Studying with my father Torah

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42. Encouraging R’ Hirchprung to Visit the Rebbe I will share something the late week. I agreed to this condition, and Chief Rabbi of Montreal, Rabbi we studied Talmud for many years said at together early Shabbos morning in זצ״ל Pinchas Hirschprung my father’s funeral, and something the Bobover Beis HaMidrash. Rabbi when the Hirschprung & my father both used ,הקמת מצבה he said at the tombstone for my father was erected. the Mikvah in Bobov every Shabbos I will conclude with how my father morning. drew Rabbi Hirschprung closer to At the placement of my father’s the Rebbe. tombstone, Rabbi Hirschprung At the funeral, Rabbi Hirschprung remarked: I can honestly say that we mentioned how in Lubavitch there learned Gemara together for many, are no eulogies, but he shared many years. Reb Dovid was not my the following: When Reb Dovid student, he was clearly my Chavrusah, Tennenhaus still lived in the Shtetl my learning partner. (Bathurst New Brunswick- where I My father told me how he, during was born), he would sometimes call these learning sessions, encouraged me on the telephone, to ask me P’shat Rabbi Hirschprung to visit and get (the meaning) of an obscure Tosefos closer to the Rebbe: I never asked (the additional commentary on the Rabbi Hirschprung to become a Talmud). Chossid of the Rebbe. All I asked When he moved to Montreal him was: How can such a great Torah in 1960, I asked him to oversee the scholar like Rabbi Hirschprung not Secular Department of the High visit and become close to such a great School of the Bais Yaakov Girls School, Torah scholar like the Lubavitcher which I headed. Reb Dovid agreed to Rebbe? accept this position, on condition Obviously, my father’s words, that we have a Chavrusah, one on one spoken from the heart entered the learning session, in Talmud, once a heart. Rabbi Hirschprung over the

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years became extremely close to Farbrengens, and was dedicated to all the Rebbe, had the most prominent the Rebbe’s Mitzvah Campaigns, etc., seat behind the Rebbe at all the big with enormous self-sacrifice.

43. Taught Secular, Spiritual Influence, Secret Class My father taught for numerous the Mezritcher Maggid, in the course years in the High School of the Bais of teaching secular subjects. Once, a Yaakov in Montreal, where he headed member of the administration who the Secular Studies Department was not (yet) a Chossid, asked my and taught Latin, French and Math. father: Is it true you told the students Despite heading the Department a story of the Maggid of Mezritch? of Secular Studies, he was a major To which my father answered: Yes. influence in the Yiddishe (Jewish) Sit down and I will share with you Education of the students, along with the story… (albeit perhaps less obviously to the When he taught math, (including public and the administration) the in the Mesivta and the Herzliah High Chassidishe (Chassidic) Education School) he would sometimes bring in of the students. the parts of Tractate Eruvin which .deal with math לימודי Although my father taught secular subjects) in Beis Yaakov, He once received a handwritten) חול the Rebbe wrote that his teaching was response from the Rebbe, when my done in the spirit of father was considering leaving the) ”על טהרת הקודש“ holiness, a term generally only used Beis Yaakov, which said: מה לדעתו, יהי׳ צביונן הרוחני של ת׳ .(for Judaic subjects בית יעקב, באם ח״ו יצא משם? ,During his classes in Beis Yaakov my father would “smuggle” in a trans- (In your opinion, what will be lation of the Tanya in French, and with the spiritual character of the stories of Chassidic Rebbes, including students of Bais Yaakov, if Heaven

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forbid you will leave?) in 1967. At a later date, the Rebbe gave my Mrs. Klar actually “revealed a father permission to leave the Bais secret” that my father had with the Yaakov, and to teach in the public 32 students in her class. Every Friday, schools, where he established Tefillin in middle of teaching Latin, my father Clubs, putting on Tefillin with thou- would “interrupt Latin” in order to sands of boys each year. teach Chassidus. It was definitely a Recently (Yud Shevat 2019), well kept secret, as I never heard of my nephew Rabbi Yossi Lebovics, this “secret weekly Chassidus class” was discussing my father with Mrs. until Yud Shevat, 2019… over 50 years Devorah Klar (née Klein) who was a later! student of my father in Bais Yaakov

44. Pioneer in Mivtza Tefillin the famous to Wagar High School. Wagar High) מבצע תפילין When Tefillin Campaign) started, before School had a student body that was the Six Day War in 1967, both my 95% Jewish! father and my brother immediately Unlike in the States, where the got involved. separation of church and state limits After being principal in the religion in the Public Schools, the Mesivta, in the early 60’s, and teach- Protestant School Board (ironically) ing in Bais Yaakov and Herzliah High was elated that my father started School for many years, my father Tefillin Clubs in every Public School moved on to teach for the Protestant he taught in. School Board of Greater Montreal. In each school, they set aside a He was teaching in Strathcona special room, and one hour before and Outremont High, shortly after school started each day, my father put the Tefillin Campaign began, and on Tefillin with dozens of boys. Every in the early 70’s was transferred week, he put on Tefillin hundreds of

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times with the students. Every year, just as relevant in 1969 as it was in he put on Tefillin thousands of times 1967. Furthermore, the Rebbe writes with the boys. In nearly 18 years work- that the Tefillin Campaign has to ing in the Public Schools, my father be carried out with greater strength put on Tefillin with teenagers tens of and might than when the Campaign thousands of times! started. It was known in every school and This letter reminds us how all of in every classroom, that if you put on the Mitzvah Campaigns of the Rebbe Tefillin with Mr Tennenhaus, you will are not only relevant at all times, but always pass your French exams! they intensify with time! went to Occasionally my brother took ע״ה When my parents Eretz Yisroel in 1968, and visited the me, a ten year old boy, on a city bus Kotel for the first time, my mother to McGill University, to put Tefillin told me that my father’s first stop on the male students. wasn’t “the Wall” or putting on It was a radical time on college his own Tefillin and Davening. His campuses, so very often the students first stop was the Tefillin booth at would challenge my brother (quite the Kotel, where he helped Chabad offensively) with questions about volunteers put Tefillin on tourists, faith in G-d, to prove that there is a IDF soldiers and others. G-d, and very often with statements At the end of a general/personal like “who says there is a G-d”? klali/prati letter (a general letter with Calmly, my brother would some extra blessings and/or details answer: Faith and belief in G-d is to the individual receiving the letter a different Mitzvah. Today we are from the Rebbe) the Rebbe gives talking about Tefillin. Today, let’s my father a special Bracha for his put on Tefillin. Tomorrow, let’s talk the Tefillin about G-d. If we start talking about ,מבצע תפילין dedication to Campaign. G-d today, the conversation could In another letter, klali/prati, from take many hours, ending after sunset, the Rebbe to my father, the Rebbe when it’s too late to put on Tefillin. says how the Tefillin Campaign was Let’s put on Tefillin today, and talk

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about G-d tomorrow! teacher must show up, and there will Nine out of ten times, his be a $250 penalty per day (much more approach worked, and the student than they were getting paid…) for would put on Tefillin! every teacher who was absent! Although Tefillin was the main My father asked Rabbi Aizik ,what to do: Stay home ,ז״ל campaign of the Rebbe that my father Schwei dedicated himself to, he was also and lose $250 every day of Yom Tov, involved with many of the Rebbe’s or just walk to the school, since he Mitzvah Campaigns, including Lulav won’t be teaching etc. and Esrog. Rabbi Schwei answered: No One year, in the 70’s, when teach- reason to lose money. You won’t be ing at Wagar High School, he was faced working. To the contrary. Do what Mitzvah— מבצעים :with a dilemma: On Sukkos, since the you always do student body was 95% Jewish, none campaigns! Go to the school, and of the students would show up to bentch Lulav and Esrog with all the school on Yom Tov. Nevertheless, Jewish teachers! No one will suspect the School Board insisted that every that you are working on Yom Tov…

45. The Minyan on Jeanne Mance One of the unique qualities of my so traditional Jews. No doubt, my father was his genuine Ahavas Yisroel father’s Ahavas Yisroel, love for a - love for a fellow Jew. His upbring- fellow Jew, had much influence on ing and education enabled him to everyone he encountered, so that ulti- be comfortable with all “crowds and mately, people who knew my father communities”, ranging from the admired Chassidim in general, and many Chassidic groups, the Litvishe Lubavitch and the Rebbe in particular. (Lithuanian) non Chassidim, the At my Shabbos Bar Mitzvah, in Yekkes (German Jews) the Modern the “old” Lubavitch Minyan on Jeanne Orthodox, and the wide range of not Mance, Satmarer, Bobover, Viznitzer

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and Belzer Chassidim, who were all raising the money for the rent, orga- friendly with my father, joined in the nizing the Seudah Shlishit etc) was Kiddush and festivities that followed to read out loud (while standing) the the Daavening. new letters from the Rebbe that were This was in the winter of 1970. addressed to all the Jewish People, This “old” Lubavitch Minyan before every Yom Tov and Chassidic stopped operating in 1972, when our holiday. This was usually done on family moved to Cote S. Luc. Most Friday nights in between Mincha and Lubavitch families had already moved Maariv. to Snowdon, (where the “new” The same warmth and Ahavas Lubavitcher Yeshiva was built in the Yisroel my father had for the “frum” early 1960’s) so by the time we moved community, he equally had this love out, there wasn’t a Minyan left to for the non “frum” community, keep the Lubavitcher Shul on Jeanne including his many non-traditional Mance going. students, many of whom he put on On some Friday nights, when Tefillin with at his Tefillin Clubs in the Minyan was already dwindling, various Public Schools. my father and I would pick up Rabbi To this day, many people with ,both our families Montreal roots who visit my Shul) ,זצ״ל Hirschprung lived on Querbes) to help us make the tell me how my father had introduced Minyan on Jeanne Mance. Although them to Tefillin. For some of these Rabbi Hirschprung usually Daavened former students, Tefillin with my in Bobov, which was on Hutchinson, father was their “introduction” to he went out of his way on numerous Judaism, and today they lead lives occasions, walking a number of extra with their wives and children, (and blocks, because my father had asked grandchildren) fully observant in him to help be the “tenth” for our Torah and Mitzvot! Minyan. One of the tasks my father had as the “president” of this Lubavitch Minyan on Jeanne Mance, (besides

64 26 years / 52 stories Family Matters

65 26 years / 52 stories

46. Nachas From Your 5-Year-Old Son In the letter below, the Rebbe who had visited the Rebbe (with my and had a(ז״ל ,wishes a relative of my father a brother and sister Adele complete and speedy recovery, and private audience with the Rebbe, had recommends that this person makes shared this with my father. a Shidduch (finds a match), and that The letter concludes with this, a Shidduch and the marriage wonderment why my father didn’t that follows, will provide the “good report to the Rebbe in his last healing” as experience has shown. correspondence, about himself, his The Rebbe did not think that my family and his communal work, and mother should be preoccupied with expresses confidence that my father this situation. will do so in the next letter. The Rebbe continues that he had In the above mentioned Yechidus pleasure from my brother (Rabbi (private audience) that my mother who had told the Rebbe had with the Rebbe, the Rebbe told (ז״ל Yisroel what he was learning (in Torah) and my mother at the end of the Yechidus: had repeated to the Rebbe a number You asked for Brochos for numerous of subjects (he was only five years old people but you neglected to ask for a at the time!). The Rebbe writes that Brocha for yourself... , ז״לhe was confident that my mother

47. Rebbe’s Blessing For Newborns The Rebbe wrote letters for wrote to my father when I was born. all joyous occasions, including the I also have the letter (and envelope) birth of a child, an Upshernish, a the Rebbe sent to me for my Bar Bar Mitzvah, a Bat Mitzvah and a Mitzvah, as well as the letter the wedding. Rebbe wrote to me when my firstborn I have the letter that the Rebbe Shmuly was born.

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Both before Shmuly was born (in off on the way to the airport at his 1980) and before my niece Miriam first cousin Dr. Zvi Pomerantz (a Muszkat (Solomon) was born (in well known cardiologist at the Jewish 1973), the Rebbe was contacted General) for a check up. My father many times because it looked like a was carrying a Sefer that he was plan- C-section would be necessary based ning to give to my father in law, Reb on the positioning of the baby. Yoseph Mordechai Fellig, z”l. Sure enough, the Rebbe gave Dr Pomerantz told my father: his blessings in each instance for “a David, you are not going to the Bris. natural delivery”, and indeed, both You are going to the hospital! You had babies were born healthy, thank G-d, a “silent” heart attack... via a natural delivery. The day of the Bris arrived. No A few days before Shmuly’s one had told me about my father’s Bris, my father called me with the condition. I was surprised that my following “suggestion”: Since the father wasn’t there, but my brother baby was born on the 13th of Tishrei, in law Reb Yitzchok Lebovics, may the Yahrzeit of the Rebbe Maharash, he live until 180, had flown in for Rabbeinu Shmuel, and my father the Bris. had “a hunch” that we would name The baby was named Shmuel, (in the baby Shmuel- my father recom- addition to being born on the 13th mended that I consider naming the of Tishrei, the “Chassidic Ushpizin” baby Menachem Mendel, after the of the day of the Bris was the Rebbe Tzemach Tzedek, since the Tzemach Maharash)! Tzedek lived a relatively long life (of When I visited my father a few the 7 Lubavitcher Rebbes, only the weeks later in a convalescent home, Tzemach Tzedek and our Rebbe lived he told me the following: I knew the past 70...). Bris was called for 9am. I was lying in The Rebbe Maharash did not live bed at the Jewish General Hospital, a long life, and was ill a good part of staring at the big clock in my room (it his life... was long before people were pre-oc- In the interim, my father stopped cupied with their iPhones).

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I saw 7 o’clock came and went. Menachem Mendel ... etc etc. I saw 8 o’clock came and went. As As long as they don’t have to call 9 o’clock was rapidly approaching, the baby Dovid, I’m fine… I said to myself: Let them call the baby Shmuel...let them call the baby

48. Please Share Details of Your Sister’s Wedding - ות״ח מראש In this letter, dated 24 Menachem this, using the expression Av, 1957 (5717), the Rebbe acknowl- expressions of favor in advance. edges receipt of my father’s letter The Rebbe continues: You don’t from 22 Menachem Av, in which the write about the officiating - the Sidrei Rebbe was first informed about my Kiddushin- and about the wedding, in - בסדר but certainly this too was (ע״ה father’s sister’s (Shirley-Shulamis wedding in a good and auspicious time. order. The Rebbe writes, that even What you write concerning your that he is fearful - שי׳, )ז״ל) though my father wrote very briefly, son Yisroel he hopes that this itself is a sign that at night- this will probably go away on everything is in order and harmonious. its own, nevertheless one should have The Rebbe expresses his hope that the Mezuzah checked of his room, and HaShem May He be blessed, should he should wear a Talit Katan with good help that even in this matter it should (inspected) Tzitzis, and also sleep go from good to better, both materi- with his head covered. ally and spiritually, and by a Jew, both With blessing for good news in all (material and spiritual) go together, that was mentioned, and with other and hopefully, my father, when he matters, in your Daled Amot (four has more good news in this matter cubits) and in your portion of the he will write the Rebbe about it. The world- Rebbe thanks my father in advance for M Schneerson

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49. Medical advice for Psoriasis In this letter from 1958, the Rebbe 2- asked my father to forward a receipt was responding to my father who to Mr Kaminsky (the Rebbe didn’t asked advice from the Rebbe because have his address) and 3- thanked my he was suffering from psoriasis. father in advance for doing this. The Rebbe said to inquire (from In conclusion, the Rebbe the doctors) if traveling to a warm expresses wonderment, how my climate for several weeks could be father didn’t write about a Farbrengen of help, and also to use the suitable in general, and in particular about a ointments. Yud Shevat Farbrengen. The Rebbe expresses confidence, On numerous occasions, the even though each case is different, Rebbe both commended my father that this (psoriasis) could go away for reporting about a Farbrengen, on its own for a long time, and the and also expressed surprise when treatments could temporarily relieve my father didn’t report about a the condition. Farbrengen. This letter is a classic example of The Rebbe signs off with a bless- how my father turned to the Rebbe ing that HaShem should enable my like a son lovingly turns to a father, father to be successful in always seeking advice on improving a skin reporting that which is good, and condition... blesses my father for a joyous Purim Later in the letter 1- the Rebbe and good news. expresses satisfaction that my father was in correspondence with someone,

50. Bracha from Rebbetzin Chana We stayed at the home .ז״ל The first time I recall seeing brother the Rebbe was Rosh Hashanah 5724, of a widow, that was arranged for us and my by Rabbi Leibel Groner, the Rebbe’s ז״ל I went with my father .1963 69 26 years / 52 stories

secretary, may he live until 180, at the a good year and a Good Yom Tov. request of the Rebbe. In 5724, it was a three day Yom Tov, In addition to the interaction I so I’m not sure if this was on Rosh had with the Rebbe, in particular at Hashanah ( Thursday-Friday) or the Kos Shel Brocha, when the Rebbe Shabbos that immediately followed. poured wine from grace after meals After telling the Rebbetzin our into our cups (details in a different names, my father asked the Rebbetzin segment of Oneg Shabbat), I had to give us a Brocha. the additional merit of meeting and The Rebbetzin blessed us with .the priestly benediction ,יברכך receiving a blessing from the Rebbe’s A year later, Rebbetzin Chana .זצ״ל ,mother, Rebbetzin Chana Unlike the Rebbe’s Rebbetzin, passed away on 6 Tishrei, Shabbos Shuva, and my father flew in for her ,זצ״ל ,Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Rebbetzin Chana was a “public” funeral. Rebbetzin, who had a special seat At the funeral, my father was for Daavening in 770, at Farbrengens pained how some students were etc etc. Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka was taking pictures of the Rebbe, which very much out of the public eye. bothered the Rebbe greatly, as is Rebbetzin Chana would stand known when reading diaries of after Daavening outside of 770, and Rebbetzin Chana’s funeral. people would greet her with “Good My father passed away also on Shabbos”, “Good Yom Tov”, etc. Shabbos Shuva, exactly thirty years My father, who was not shy in after introducing us to Rebbetzin asking for a Brocha, decided he was Chana, on Shabbos Shuva, 3 Tishrei, going to introduce his sons to the 5754, 1993. Rebbetzin when he went to wish her

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51. Caring for your younger siblings In a letter, from 1965, the Rebbe My aunt told the Rebbe, that in the Days of her opinion, if one gives a check once -ימי חשון - dates the letter Cheshvan - 5726- rather than putting a month to Tzedakah, of substance, it a specific date of the month, as was is just as significant as putting every the usual manner when dating letters. day coins into the Pushka - charity The Rebbe addresses my father box. ,letter (a Communal The Rebbe, on the other hand כללי פרטי in this letter personalized to an individual) explained to my aunt, the added regarding the impact the holidays of benefit of giving Tzedakah every day. Tishrei should have on the entire year Each time one gives Tzedakah, one ahead. connects with HaShem and receives In a handwritten note, at the end blessings. of the letter, the Rebbe expresses My aunt, who was very kind and satisfaction that my father wrote the brilliant, had her own correspon- Rebbe about my aunt, my father’s dence with the Rebbe, and received Shulamith). numerous letters from the Rebbe),ז״ל ,sister Shirley The Rebbe ascertains that my addressed to her in English. father is assisting his sister in the In many letters to my father, the observance of Torah and Mitzvot, and Rebbe inquired about the wellbeing concludes, “ if ALL the Jewish people of my aunt, including a letter after she my married my uncle Yoseif, may כל) are responsible one for the other how much more he live until 180, in which the Rebbe , (ישראל ערבים זה בזה so 1- a brother 2- the older brother”. asks about details of the wedding how - סידור קידושין My Auntie Shirley (Kaspi) once and the manner of shared with me a long Yechidus the wedding was officiated, etc. (See (private audience) she had with the Story #48) Rebbe in the 1950’s. Included in their discussion was the method of giving Tzedakah.

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52. The Rebbe’s Father I remember very vividly my he was affectionately called, among father’s reaction when the Seforim many topics related to his trials of the Rebbe’s father were first and tribulations, Kabbalisitically to ,לוי יצחק published in the early 1970’s. Rabbi connects his two names severity and harshness - as - גבורות Levi Yitzchok Schneersohn, may his merit protect us, was a giant in well as the 5 years of exile (and 5 Talmudic scholarship, Kabbalah, and prisons) connected to the 5 levels of .severity - גבורות .Chassidus Due to his fearless leadership as He actually writes that his a Rav who would not be intimidated punishments and harsh treatment under the Communist regime, and shall be an atonement for all his sins for his spreading Yiddishkeit etc, he etc - and my father was up in arms! was arrested, imprisoned, and sent How could the Rebbe’s father to a very harsh exile. say that he had sins, etc? Such a holy Miraculously, his Torah writings, Tzaddik, such a Torah scholar, such man of tremendous - בעל מסירת נפש written on the tiny margins of the a few Seforim he possessed in exile, self sacrifice - has an iniquity? If Reb were written with the bravery of his Levik has sins, what do we have??? לקוטי לוי יצחק, - Rebbetzin Chana, (who blessed my When these Seforim ,etc, were first published תורת לוי יצחק brother and I on Rosh Hashanah 5724 ,זצ״ל as recounted in story #50) may Rabbi Pinchas Hirschprung ,-1963 her merit protect us, and eventually Montreal’s Chief Rabbi, was amazed, these Torah teachings were smuggled that although Reb Levik was without out of Russia. a set of Talmud, and other key Torah In his introduction to his teach- volumes when in prison and in exile, ings,(which was recently republished every time he quoted from a passage in a reader friendly format with from the Talmud, etc, using the term, insights by my colleague, Rabbi Dovid “apparently on this page”, he nailed it Dubov from Princeton) Reb Levik, as on the head, and was 100% accurate,

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thanks to his phenomenal and photo- graphic memory that stayed with him even under severe duress. At the end of this book is some scholarly insight, on one of Rabbi Levi Yitzchok’s fascinating Torah teachings, concerning the foundation of many debates between Abaye and Ravah, with Chassidic and Kabbalistic analysis, written by my late brother Rabbi Yisroel, of blessed memory. We have always considered it a great honor that the Rebbe allowed us to name our Shul (with certain conditions) after his holy father. May we merit that the harshness of the bitter exile is removed, that the Redemption be upon us, and that we have once again Reb Levik in our midst, together with his illustrious son, our holy Rebbe, and Moshiach, NOW.

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From the annual yearbook of Wagar High School, Montreal, in the mid 1970’s.

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My father speaking to the Rebbe, Yud Shvat, 1967.

My father in Israel, Summer 1968.

My father with the late Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau, when the Premier visited Wagar High School. Me and my father; Purim, 1962 75 25 years / 26 stories

Here is the letter where the Rebbe, in his own handwriting, speaks how the spiritual influence of the Bais Yaakov students is dependent on his being in the school…

Here is an answer from the Rebbe to my father that includes Halachic advice when he was possibly contemplating to switch schools from Bais Yaakov to Bais Rivkah. In addition, there is also advice regarding bringing Montreal girls who were attending the Bais Yaakov Annual Convention in Baltimore. This response mentions that for them to come visit the Rebbe, it can only be if it was their initiative, and not if in any way that there was an initiative from 770, etc. Either way, the Rebbe expressed favor to my father about the general idea.

76 25 years / 26 stories Illustration credit: Tzipporah Greenberg

My father being referred to as “Rabbi” on a special delivery Express letter, sent by the Rebbe in 1974.

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A letter from 16 Adar Sheni 1954, which is totally initiated by the Rebbe.

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At the Sheva Brachos of Rabbi and Mrs. Leibel Kramer. My grandfather R’ Yisroel can be seen towards the back, wearing a “hamburg”.

Letter dated 17 Shvat, 1959, asking my father why he didn’t report Yud Shvat. 79 25 years / 26 stories

80 25 years / 26 stories

Note Correction by the Rebbe from “Dovid” to “A’ Dovid.”

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A description of my father in the Who’s Who of Canadian Jewry published in 1966.

$54 in 1947 to support the Rebbe’s household, roughly equavalent to $600 in today’s currency. 82 25 years / 26 stories

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The affidavit that allowed my father to visit the Previous Rebbe and the United States Rabbi for the first time in 1946. Hirschprung and my father in conversation at my sister’s wedding, 1972.

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The Rebbe acknowledges my father’s efforts in Mivtzah Tefillin and explains how it will add to all of his blessings. 86 25 years / 26 stories

The Rebbe mentions here how Mivtza Tefillin in 1969 is even more relevant than in 1967. 87 25 years / 26 stories

The Dalfen family in Radautz, Romania, ~1915. My grandmother Esther is pictured sitting, center right.

This is the first letter, after the Rebbe became Rebbe, that I am aware of, that the Rebbe wrote to my father. For a Letter dated 17 Shvat, 1949, from the Previous summary of the translation, please see page 39. Rebbe to my parents for their wedding.