לע"נ ר' יהודה ע"ה בן ר' משה יעקב ע"ה ביסטאן נלב"ע ר"ח כסלו ה'תשנ"ט ת'נ'צ'ב'ה' נדפס ע"י בנו הרה"ת השליח ר' יוסף יצחק וזוגתו מרת ביילא רחל ומשפחתם שיחיו ביסטאן

Physician

ToHe was a brilliant Royaltydoctor, a well versed Talmid Chacham, a devoted Chossid and merited to serve as the personal physician to the Beis Harav for forty years. Following is a biographical sketch of the life and times of the legendary Dr. Seligson.

KISLEV 5781 34 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER WITH RABBI KAZARNOVSKY, 29 LEVI FREIDIN VIA JEM 191042 ELUL 5740

*z KISLEV 5781 5740-5780 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 35 study and research foreign disease, Early Life as well. This turned out to be the Harav Avraham Abba Seligson was exact training he would later need born on 8 Av 5667* in Cracow, . during the war to protect the health of His father Reb Michoel Aharon was a Yidden. direct descendant of the Alter ’s After receiving his diploma in second son Harav Chaim Avraham. Vilna, Avraham returned to Cracow Reb Michoel Aharon was a wealthy and started working on his doctorate; man, an erudite Talmid Chochom, and engaging in research and gaining a gifted baal menagen. A prominent clinical experience as a practicing member of the Cracow Jewish physician. He received his doctorate community, for several years he served in medicine in 5696*. During the as the gabbai of the Megaleh Amukos course of his research, he worked at shul. specialized clinics at the Universities Reb Michoel Aharon was the only of Vienna and Cracow, respectively. Lubavitcher chossid in Cracow at His work uncovered the connection

the time, and the Frierdiker Rebbe MICHOEL SELIGSON RABBI between hypertension and Cushing stayed in his home for an extended AVROHOM SELIGSON IN HIS EARLY 20S Syndrome, and was published in period during a visit to the city. Later medical journals in Poland, , the Frierdiker Rebbe wrote to him university in Vilna and due to their Austria and the US. that as the only Lubavitcher chossid anti-semitic policies, was initially In a 1947 letter of recommendation, in the city, he should arrange a rejected. Therefore, as a nineteen-year- when Dr. Seligson was applying for a in Chassidus and invite friends, old he started his medical studies in license to practice medicine in the US, neighbors and acquaintances to Strasbourg. Two years later in 5688*, Dr. Bussell, a colleague from Cracow, participate. through the intervention of one of his wrote: “I have personally known After some time, Rabbi Mordechai physician uncles, he transferred to the Dr. Seligson for fifteen years… In Mentlik among the outstanding medical school in Vilna. his native city of Cracow, Poland he Tmimim in Poland, was sent to In Vilna he lived in the home of his was known as one of the prominent Cracow to give the shiur, to attract the uncle Harav Schneur Zalman Seligson. physicians and research workers of city’s bochurim to Chassidus. A prominent Lubavitcher Chossid, that city. His special field of interest Reb Michoel continued to maintain Harav Seligson was an ambitious was the problem of hypertension. He the Chassidus shiur which lasted for activist for the Jewish community with published several papers… translated many years. many government contacts. He was a into many languages and were Avraham’s mother, Chaya Rochel, rare personality, a dedicated chossid accepted with acclaim.” hailed from a prominent Cracow and one of the founders of Yeshiva His research gained the attention family, descendants of many Gedolei in Vilna. For the of Dr. Harvey Cushing, the world Yisroel. Their home was a blend of next four years Avraham learned with renowned neurosurgeon, and the wealth and yiras Shamayim with an his uncle, absorbing much from him. namesake of the syndrome. He offered emphasis on Chassidishe minhogim. Avraham davened with the yeshiva Dr. Avraham Seligson a position in During WWI the family fled in the evenings, and was always seen his laboratory at Yale University. In Cracow for the outskirts of Vienna. with a sefer. Immaculately dressed, one of the letters taken from their Avraham Abba learned at a Hebrew he was modest and humble in all of correspondence, Dr. Cushing writes, Gymnasium, and received his formal his interactions and made a favorable “Thanks greatly for the reprint of your training in Limmudei Kodesh from his impression as a yarei Shamayim of excellent paper published in La Presse father. A natural masmid, he would high caliber. Medicale with its carefully made learn well into the night. While studying in Vilna, Avraham observation…”. Avraham Abba wanted to help had the option of studying the diseases In addition to research, Dr. people and perhaps because many of endemic to Asia and Africa. While Seligson focused on his medical his uncles on his mother’s side were most of the students sought to become practice. Devoted to his patients, his physicians; he developed an interest in proficient in local illnesses, Avraham bedside manner, personal warmth and medicine. He applied to the medical surprised everyone by choosing to good cheer put everyone at ease. He

KISLEV 5781 *z 36 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 5667-1907,5688-1928,5696-1936 Healthy Digestion In 5695* the Frierdiker Rebbe was in Vienna for extended periods of time, and Dr. Seligson once merited to have a yechidus. The Frierdiker Rebbe inquired about his studies and then explained the following Gemara according to Chassidus. אכל ולא שתה אכילתו דם. וזהו תחילת חולי מעיים. )שבת מא,א( One who ate and did not drink at all, what he ate becomes blood and that causes the onset of intestinal disease. Eating represents the study of nigleh and drinking represents the study of Chassidus. When a doctor prescribes a diet for the patient, there must be a means for the food to be digested properly. Similarly with Torah, learning Chassidus ensures that the nigleh is “digested” properly.

RABBI MICHOEL SELIGSON RABBI clinic. He was dedicated to his patients CORRESPONDENCE WITH DR. CUSHING and often walked miles in torn shoes to deliver medicine to patients who was never off duty and always had his Sugihara, enabling him to escape were unable to come to the hospital. medical bag with him in the event of . After a long and arduous Almost immediately, many an emergency. Known in the region as journey, he arrived in , China developed dysentery. Dr. Seligson a frum doctor, many Yidden preferred together with thousands of Yidden. suggested that all drinking water to be treated by him despite his youth. These included a group of Tmimim should be boiled, and all fruit and On occasion, when halachic questions and the talmidim of several other vegetables be thoroughly cleaned arose in connection with medical famous yeshivos who escaped Europe before consumption. Subsequently, issues, prominent rabbonim such as in the same way. the outbreak subsided. The Jewish Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grudzansky, the The Chinese government settled residents of the ghetto were also Rav of Vilna, relied on his judgement, the Jewish refugees in a ghetto in the stricken with Beriberi, a result of as he was proficient in both halacha poorest part of the city. The unsanitary vitamin B-1 deficiency, common and medicine. conditions set the stage for illness in Asia but virtually unheard of in and disease. Dr. Seligson was the only Western countries. This was a disease Shanghai doctor that the refugees would trust. that Dr. Seligson was familiar with With the outbreak of WWII, Dr. He worked in a hospital established from his medical training, and he Seligson fled Cracow for Vilna, where by the American Joint for the Jewish was able to diagnose it properly. he received a transit visa from the refugees, as well as in a neighborhood With no available vitamins or any legendary Japanese Consul Chiune medicine containing B-1, Dr. Seligson

KISLEV 5781 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 37 RABBI MICHOEL SELIGSON RABBI A LETTER VERIFYING DR. SELIGSON’S STATUS AS THE

LIBRARY OF AGUDAS CHASSIDEI CHASSIDEI OF AGUDAS LIBRARY REFUGEES’ DOCTOR, NECESSARY FOR A PERMIT TO BREAK TOMCHEI TMIMIM SHANGAHAI. DR. SELIGSON IS STANDING SECOND FROM THE LEFT. THE NIGHTLY CURFEW. researched the foods that contain Vitamin B1 and prescribed them to the suffering ghetto residents. Thousands of lives were saved as a result. Despite his many medical responsibilities, Dr. Seligson davened for many hours every day. He received smicha from Harav , the chief rabbi of Shanghai, at this time. He maintained an intense regimen of ; borrowing sefarim from the beis medrash overnight and returning them in the

morning. MICHOEL SELIGSON RABBI A REPORT FROM 5710 ABOUT DOCTORS VOLUNTEERING FOR A DAY CAMP. America In 5707* Dr. Seligson received retake the medical examinations The Frierdiker Rebbe relates in a visa to immigrate to the United necessary to practice in the US. several sichos that during the nesius States. After the war many sefarim He rapidly learned English, and of the Alter Rebbe and the Mitteler were published in Shanghai and within months was able to notify the Rebbe, the doctor in Liozna was R’ Kehos published Chassidus sefarim, as Frierdiker Rebbe that he had received Avraham Harofeh. He was a ga’on in well. When Dr. Seligson sailed from his medical license. The Frierdiker nigleh and a brilliant medical mind. Shanghai, the publisher sent a case Rebbe responded with many brochos. The doctor serving during the time of of newly published sefarim for the Dr. Seligson immediately began the Rebbe Maharash, whom he praised Frierdiker Rebbe. Dr. Seligson arrived serving as the personal physician to greatly, was also called Avraham at his sister’s home in on the Frierdiker Rebbe and the entire Harofeh. Dr. Seligson, whose first a Friday morning. The Rebbe sent a Beis Harav. The Rebbe would call name was Avraham, merited to serve bochur that day to pick up the sefarim him frequently to visit the Frierdiker both, the Frierdiker Rebbe and the so that the Frierdiker Rebbe would Rebbe, and as he lived close by he was Rebbe for forty years. have them for Shabbos. available at a moment’s notice. On Yud Shevat 5710*, the Although a practicing physician for Frierdiker Rebbe’s health deteriorated over 10 years, Dr. Seligson needed to

KISLEV 5781 *z 38 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 5707-1947,5710-1950 The Rebbe sent a message to him through Rabbi Shusterman that in the Litvishe circles Dr. Seligson would be considered a gaon. dramatically. Dr. Seligson was called in and rendered treatment. Chassidim commented after the Frierdiker Rebbe’s histalkus that day, that a Kohen RABBI MICHOEL SELIGSON RABBI - Reb Sholom Ber Eichorn, a Levi - THE REBBE AT DR. SELIGSON’S CHUPPAH Reb Shmuel Levitin and a Yisroel - Dr. Seligson, were present in the room at Dr. Seligson would be considered a make an exception to this rule since the time of the histalkus. gaon. it was already done more than three Dr. Seligson davened in 770. The engagement was on Chof times and had the stringency of an He gave a shiur in Shulchan Aruch Cheshvan in Dr. Seligson’s apartment. oath. Hilchos Shabbos every Shabbos The Rebbe and Rebbetzin sent over Reb Shmuel immediately morning after davening. The shiur their own serving utensils to be used at responded that the Rebbe’s condition was clear, brilliant and well attended. the seudah. The Rebbe suggested that applied only to the talmidim of At the outbreak of the Korean War, Dr. Seligson sponsor the publication Tomchei Temimim and Dr. Seligson was not a talmid in Tomchei סמוכים Dr. Seligson received a draft notice. of the Rebbe Rashab’s maamer and the Rebbe personally Temimim. In addition, he was a לעד תר“פ The Rebbe pointed out that since he delivered a weekly shiur in the shul, he composed the dedication, noting that relative of the Rebbe, so this was not was a member of the clergy and thus the chosson was a doctor by including an issue. The Rebbe was pleased with .The Rebbe the answer .גומל חסד בגופו exempt from the draft and instructed the words that a letter should be sent to the set the wedding date for the fifth The wedding was in Manhattan, authorities, indicating this fact. night of Chanukah. In yechidus with and the Kabbolas Ponim began the couple, the Rebbe spoke with the when the Rebbe arrived. The guests Marriage kallah’s father at length, praising the included venerable chassidim, as well In 5712*, Rabbi Herschel chosson in glowing terms. The ufruf as prominent Litvishe Rabbonim. Shusterman, the rav of Bnei Reuven, was held in 770 on Shabbos Parshas The Chassidim sang niggunim, while the Lubavitcher shul in , Vayeishev and during the the Rebbe spoke to the chosson and suggested Rochel Pinsker of Chicago the Rebbe spoke about the concept of reviewed the kesuba. Afterwards the as a shidduch for Dr. Seligson. The marriage. Rebbe spoke a sicha explaining the Rebbe supported the idea and It was common then for the connection between a Chasuna and continued to be involved in every step Rebbe to be mesader kiddushin by Chanukah1. At one point, the chosson of the shidduch from the engagement the weddings of anash that were held started to pour a drink for the Rebbe. through the wedding. Her father Reb in New York but there were several The Rebbe declined saying that Chazal Yitzchok Meir Pinsker was a talmid of conditions. One of the conditions compare a chosson to a king and one the Chofetz Chaim and he expressed was that the chosson must have a should not be served by a king. Later, hesitation at taking a chosson for his beard. At the time Dr. Seligson did the chosson and the Rebbe took the daughter who was a doctor. The Rebbe not have a beard and the Rebbe asked elevator to the ground floor for the sent a message to him through Rabbi Reb Shmuel Levitin whether it was Chuppa. The Rebbe insisted that the Shusterman that in the Litvishe circles halachically permissible for him to

KISLEV 5781 5712-1952 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 39 chosson enter and exit first since he “...You, the doctor, should eat the cake and was comparable to a king. The Rebbe was mesader kiddushin the patient will recover.” and recited all of the Sheva Brachos. The Rebbe offered the final bracha to the father of the Kallah, who refused and requested that the Rebbe recite the final bracha as well. The Rebbe watched the bochurim dance for several minutes and then returned to 770. After the wedding, the Rebbetzin borrowed the wedding album from Mrs. Seligson for a few days. It was understood that she wanted the album to show the Rebbe. Several years later Reb Moshe Groner collected all the photos of the Rebbe then available, most of which were from when the Rebbe was mesader kiddushin. He showed them to the Rebbetzin Chana, who browsed through the photographs and commented on all of them. When she reached the photos of Dr. Seligson’s wedding she told Reb Moshe, “For this wedding the Rebbe made an exception by being mesader kiddushin although he does not have a beard.”

The Rebbe’s Doctor From the earliest days of the Rebbe’s nesius Dr. Seligson was a permanent fixture in 770. He davened there every morning, and then spent hours seeing patients and attending to the medical needs of the bochurim. For many years, the Rebbe and Dr. Seligson would converse almost every morning. In the winter months of 5714*, he would go into the Rebbe’s

room after Kabbolas Shabbos and LEVI FREIDIN VIA JEM 22782 TISHREI 5738, 26 LEAVING 770 WITH HIS DOCTOR’S BAG remain there for over an hour.2 This happened in later years as well. No one knows with certainty what they to serve as a conduit for many of the Gurary, to give to his father. The Rebbe discussed, although it is assumed Rebbe’s brachos for people’s health. then stood up and handed a piece of

that it pertained to medicine. For 40 One year on Shemini Atzeres Rabbi cake and wine to Dr. Seligson saying, years Dr. Seligson merited to serve as Shneur Zalman Gurary contracted “In the times of the Beis Hamikdosh, the Rebbe and Rebbetzin’s personal pneumonia. During the farbrengen when the Kohanim ate their portion physician, as the dedicated doctor of before hakafos on Simchas Torah of the korbon the owner of the korbon the Crown Heights community and night, the Rebbe gave a piece of cake achieved atonement. Likewise, you, to his son, Rabbi Yitzchok Meir the doctor should eat the cake and the

KISLEV 5781 *z 40 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 5714-1954 side, so the Rebbe should not see him using it. Every year he would receive a full matzah and the Rebbe would מיכלא דמהימנותא מיכלא“ say to him the food of healing and the - ”דאסוותא food of faith. The Rebbe once gave him matzah before the second seder, as well. Although he was an excellent diagnostician and a scientist, Dr. Seligson was involved in many medical incidents that defied the rules of nature. Once6 the Rebbe walked out of his room holding a letter and asked Dr. Seligson if there was a cure for a specific illness (described in the

RABBI MICHOEL SELIGSON RABBI letter). He answered in the negative, AN ADDITION IN THE REBBE’S HOLY HANDWRITING TO A LETTER STATING THAT HE IS CONSULTING A and the Rebbe left only to come GROUP OF SPECIALISTS ABOUT A CERTAIN PATIENT, WITH THEIR CONCLUSION COMMUNICATED THROUGH DR. SELIGSON. back ten minutes later with the same question. This time Dr. Seligson stated patient will recover. Know that you are a wondered if he was an expert in confidently that surely there was a cure great doctor. . . If other doctors disagree the field. Sensing his hesitation the for the illness. Satisfied, the Rebbe with me [in my directives regarding Rebbe said, “Dr. Seligson is one of the returned to his room. patients] I will refer the patient to you greatest doctors of our time.” On another occasion, a woman [so I will have a medical authority to Dr. Seligson was completely suffering from a heart condition asked support my opinion]. When3 I refer a devoted to the Rebbe’s health. the Rebbe for a bracha and advice. patient to you, you will understand why During every major medical crisis, The Rebbe advised her to consult with I sent him.” Dr. Seligson was at hand. The Dr. Twersky, who referred her to a Throughout the years, the Rebbe Rebbetzin once said to Reb Sholom top cardiologist. The cardiologist said sent countless patients to consult with Ber Gansburg, one of the aides in that she needed immediate surgery. Dr. Seligson. Once4 at a farbrengen the Rebbe’s home, “Where can you Reluctant to go under the knife, she the Rebbe told someone, “If there find a doctor like Dr. Seligson? He notified the Rebbe who sent her to Dr. is a person who occupies his nefesh hears my husband cough in the other Seligson. He in turn asked the family, elokis with the Shulchan Aruch, and room and immediately prescribes the “Did the Rebbe tell you to consult with his nefesh hativis with medicine, what right medication.” In the terrifying a rofeh yedid (a doctor who is a friend) more do you need?” In conversation moments during hakafos on Shemini or did he say Dr. Seligson?” They said with Rabbi Dr. Nissen Mindel the Atzeres 5738*, Dr. Seligson rushed to that the Rebbe specified Dr. Seligson. Rebbe said, “When other physicians the Rebbe and immediately diagnosed Hearing that, Dr. Seligson said that use strong medicine, Dr. Seligson the Rebbe’s condition. Later, a team there was no need for surgery. manages to cure them with an aspirin.” of cardiologists were brought in. The Faced with two conflicting In a letter5 dated 1 Iyar 5718* the Rebbe asked that the cardiologists opinions, the family asked him to Rebbe writes, “I received your letter… brief and consult with Dr. Seligson. discuss it with the cardiologist. Upon my instructions, my friend Dr. He requested that Dr. Seligson should Initially he refused but ultimately Seligson contacted one of the top continue to monitor his health when had a ten-minute phone conversation specialists in the field and enclosed is the cardiologists left. with the cardiologist. He then told his opinion on the matter.” As a devoted Chossid, it was the family, “He has his opinion and I Reb Michel Raskin was in yechidus important to him that the Rebbe not have mine.” The patient notified the in 5722* and asked the Rebbe about a be concerned with his (Dr. Seligson’s) Rebbe of Dr. Seligson’s opinion, and complicated medical issue regarding own problems. In his later years, received a bracha. She decided not to his mother. The Rebbe told him to waiting on line to receive matzah have the surgery and lived for another consult with Dr. Seligson. Reb Michel from the Rebbe, he put his cane to the 18 years.7

KISLEV 5781 5718-1958,5722-1962,5738-1977,5730S-1970S A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 41 “Either he knows of a medication that we are unaware of or he performed a miracle.”

Kisvei Yad Kodesh At the conclusion of a shana tova letter from Yemei Haselichos 5721*, the Rebbe writes to Dr. Seligson:

להצלחה ברפואת חב“י ]חולי בני ישראל[ שליט“א מתוך בריאות ושמחה [A blessing] to be successful in healing the sick amongst the Jewish people, shlita, with health and happiness. In a letter from 7 Cheshvan 5717* to a Yid requesting a bracha and advice on a medical issue: אפגעהאלטן דעם אפשיקען פון בריף, און ערשט ערהאלטן די צופרידענטע לענדע ידיעה אז אויך א היגער ספציאליסט איז געגען דעם ערשטן וועג. זיכער וועט דר. זעליגסאן שי’ שרייבען בפרטיות. איינגעשלאסן דעם בייגעלייגטע אין אייער בריף. The delivery of this letter was delayed, and in the meantime I just received the joyous news that also a local specialist opposes the first approach. Certainly Dr. Seligson will write in detail about this. Included the attached in your letter. לבקש את דר. זעליגסון שי‘ לענות להם )ישר או ע”י המזכירות( החוו“ד ע“ד 3( וכן להודיעם חוו“ד לייטער Ask Dr. Seligson to respond to them (either directly or through mazkirus) with his opinion regarding section 3. Also notify them about the opinion of Leiter.

EREV YOM KIPPUR 5749

In the early 5730s* on Simchas unsuccessful. Rabbi Raskin ran to to enter the Rebbe’s room. The Rebbe Torah night, as the shul was being Rabbi Hodakov and begged him to instructed that Dr. Seligson should be reconfigured for the hakafos at ask the Rebbe for a bracha. The Rebbe notified. midnight, Reb Leibel Raskin’s was preparing for hakofos and could Dr. Seligson took one look at the young son was critically injured in not be disturbed. Hearing how dire the boy and said everything would be 770. All efforts to revive him were situation was, Rabbi Hodakov decided fine. He then went into the Rebbe’s

KISLEV 5781 *z 42 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 5721-1960, 5717-1956,5749-1988 concluded that apatient could not be that once Rebbe the told him if he ever Dr. shared Seligson with Rabbi Raskin shortly thereafter.Later that evening, childthe regained consciousness and situation the on report to room and came to United the States for had aserious illness would Rebbe the do then his part. patientthe and declare him well and helped medically, only he need visit Rabbi Baumgarten Berel from Dr. Dr. Seligson. examined Seligson him to show instructed who to them folder of records medical to Rebbe the diagnosis,their he brought entire the completed and doctors the had given treatment.the After testsall were A CHASSIDISHER DERHER KISLEV 5781

43 YOSSI MELAMED VIA JEM 135963 the x-rays, and asked him to point to would be enough to maintain his the illness. He did so but Dr. Seligson health. kept saying that he saw nothing. Dr. Seligson once commented to Confused, Rabbi Baumgarten told the Reb Dovid Shkolnik and to Reb Elya Rebbe in yechidus that Dr. Seligson Chaim Roitblat, respectively, that if saw nothing in the x-rays. The Rebbe he were to share all the miraculous glanced at the x-rays and said, “I also medical experiences that he had with see nothing there.” Upon further the Rebbe he would fill many books. examination, he was found to be RABBI MICHOEL SELIGSON RABBI disease free. A “Lamed-Vavnik” DR. SELIGSON’S DIAGRAM OF A SHOR, LATER In the 5720s*, Mrs. Menucha In those pre-Hatzolah days PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED FOR FREE Rochel Groner was having problems Dr. Seligson was on-call for the with her lungs. Dr. Seligson insisted community 24/7 and almost never it was nothing but referred her to a went on vacation because he did not specialist nonetheless. The specialist want to leave the community without claimed there was a problem, but after a doctor. Having finished with his conferring with Dr. Seligson over patients, he would learn for hours after the phone, he told her, “Dr. Seligson, midnight. In a yechidus, Mrs. Seligson without special instruments, knows expressed concern about his difficult better than I do with my instruments.” schedule and the Rebbe replied, “Don’t A guest from France came to the you know that your husband is a Rebbe for Tishrei in the late 5730s*. Lamed-Vavnik?” He had a skin irritation on his hand Dr. Seligson was dedicated to his and the doctors were unable to help patients and gave each one as much time as they needed. He would see

him. While in Crown Heights, he MICHOEL SELIGSON RABBI visited Dr. Seligson who prescribed patients in 770 at no charge, make DR. SELIGSON’S SECOND HANDWRITTEN COPY OF a cream that caused the irritation house calls, and starting in the late THE WITH HIS NOTES, THE FIRST OF WHICH HE GAVE TO THE REBBE’S LIBRARY. to disappear. When he returned to afternoon, he saw patients in his France, he showed the hand to his office at home until late at night. encountered.” Patients were examined physician who exclaimed, “Either After prescribing treatment, he would by prominent doctors and would leave he knows of a medication that we follow up and modify his instructions without a diagnosis. They would later are unaware of or he performed a if he found a better solution. Before visit Dr. Seligson, who immediately miracle.” prescribing a medication, he would found a solution. The Rebbe once told someone who research it to ensure its kashrus, During the first years of the consulted with him, “When you go to especially before Pesach, and was in Rebbe’s nesius, people witnessed Dr. Seligson, you already feel better; constant contact with pharmaceutical him conversing with the Rebbe in Malach Michoel accompanies him.” companies. Dr. Seligson often utilized Torah outside the Rebbe’s room. On Sometimes Dr. Seligson would simply his medical consultations to engage Thursday nights, he would spend 8 tell the patient to go home and eat in Torah. For example, a patient hours in the yeshiva library at 770 a fruit or to learn a certain topic in described a certain food he had eaten, researching halachic sefarim on Torah, and they became well. Dr. Seligson began an animated various issues. In Cracow, when he The Rebbe once told Reb Getzel discussion on the proper bracha. first started practicing medicine, Rubashkin, “Daloi doktoirim - enough He charged minimally for his Dr. Seligson drew a diagram of the with the doctors.” Before the summer, services. A patient once did not body of an ox based on sources in Reb Getzel wanted to go for a check- respect Dr. Seligson‘s diagnosis Shas and Poskim. He sent a copy to a up, but wasn’t sure if he should, since because of the small bill, and arranged family member in New York. When the Rebbe told him “Daloi doktoirim”. to visit another doctor in Manhattan. he arrived after the war, years later, he He asked the Rebbe who told him that After being examined he heard the made copies and shared them with the he should only speak with Dr. Seligson doctor making a phone call in the next bochurim in 770, who were learning in learning and nothing else, and that room. “Dr. Seligson, I am interested Yoreh De’ah and Meseches Chulin. The in your opinion regarding this issue I

KISLEV 5781 *z 44 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 5720S-5760S,5730S-1970S diagram was in use for many years. He sent it to the Rebbe for his consent, and the Rebbe suggested that a Rav Moreh Hora’ah should review it. Rabbi Yisroel Piekarski, the Rosh Yeshiva in 770, confirmed that it was accurate. (See photo). Dr. Seligson would write notes in the margins of his volumes of Chumash and Gemara, as well as in his Tanya. When the Rebbe heard about his notes on Tanya, he requested that Dr. Seligson lend him the Tanya. Years later, Dr. Seligson asked the Rebbe for the Tanya so he could copy 104561 the notes for himself. The Tanya was DR. SELIGSON IN THE MAZKIRUS OFFICE. returned to the Rebbe’s library where it still remains. Many of his notes on Chumash and Tanya were published in the Ha’oros HaTmimim V’anash in 5749* after his passing. Dr. Seligson passed away on Tuesday, 25 Shevat 5749*. During that time, the Rebbe worked from his home on President St. The Rebbe came to 770 from President St. to participate in the levaya and returned home immediately afterwards. Once during a farbrengen in the 5710s*, people approached the Rebbe and asked for brachos for health for themselves and for others. The Rebbe turned to Dr. Seligson, “How will doctors make a living when Moshiach will come? People will visit the doctor, he will confirm that they are all healthy and he will be paid for it!”9

1. vol. 30 page 311. This sicha was edited by the Rebbe in 5750 to be included in the Sefer Toldos Avraham Harofeh. 2. Told by Rabbi . 3. Told by Rabbi Shneur Zalman Lipsker, Philadelphia, PA. 4. Told by Rabbi Heshke Gansbourg a”h. 5. Igros Kodesh vol. 17, p. 63. 6. Told by Rabbi Moshe A Geisinsky a”h. 7. Told by Rabbi YY Wilenkin.

8. Told by Rabbi Moshe A. Geisinsky a”h. STOCK MOSHE 9. Told by Rabbi Shmaryohu Roitblat. THE REBBE ATTENDS DR. SELIGSON’S LEVAYA.

KISLEV 5781 5749-1989, 5710S-1950S A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 45