לזכות החתן הרה״ת ר׳ אריה לייב שיחי׳ לבנר והכלה המהוללה מרת אריאלה ליבא שתחי׳ סיגלשטיין לרגל חתונתם ביום י׳ אדר ה׳תשע״ז נתרם ע״י הוריהם ר׳ מנחם שלום וזוגתו מרת שושנה יפה סיגלשטיין RebReb MendelMendel

FuterfasFuterfasaa livingliving legendlegend

“Accomplished and energetic, among the foremost mekusharim to our Rebbeim, who goes in their ways, in the holy path.” This is just one of the incredible things the said about the renowned Chossid, Reb Mendel Futerfas. Already early on in his lifetime, Reb Mendel became a legend. For his tireless work on behalf of the Chassidim in Russia, for his zestful personality, full of energy and life, and for his boundless dedication to the Rebbe and darkei hachassidus. Vastly different than many other elder Chassidim, Reb Mendel didn’t learn in the golden days of Tomchei Temimim; yet his colorful life story, as a bochur, businessman, or inmate, is an inspiration to anyone who comes its way.

ADAR 5777 16 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 3 TISHREI 5746, LEVI FREIDIN VIA JEM 216589 3 TISHREI 5746,

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 17 Early Years Reb Mendel was known to ‘come down Reb Mendel Futerfas was born in 5667, in Pleshenitz, near Minsk, White hard’ on people that would try to slip Russia. His father passed away before away from a , even if they were his birth; at the bris, he was named going with good intentions. after his own father. The young orphan was brought up to the ideals of a bochur in Tomchei continued. Reb Mendel joined the up in the home of his grandmother Temimim. in Yekatrinoslav, but this time Rochel Leah, who was a well-known The distinct style of Reb Zalman not as a student, but as a mashpia, at Chassidishe matriarch. Rochel Moshe was characteristic of Reb the age of twenty three. He spent a Leah was also a childhood friend of Mendel as well. Always lively and short while there, but once again the Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah, the wife vivacious, Reb Mendel always had a Communists caught up with them, of the Rebbe Rashab, and whenever passion for a Chassidisher farbrengen. and after a short period of time in she visited Lubavitch, she stayed at Reb Mendel was known to ‘come Odessa, Reb Mendel returned home the Rebbe Rashab’s home. When she down hard’ on people that would try to Kharkov where he began to receive visited in 5675, she brought along to slip away from a farbrengen, even marriage offers. eight year old Mendel, and the young if they were going with the excuse of Somehow, he managed to send child merited to be received for learning or davening. a query to the Frierdiker Rebbe in yechidus, where the Rebbe Rashab Reb Mendel would often extol Poland, and he received instructions blessed him to be “an ehrlicher Yid, a on the virtues of a Chassidishe to look into one specific offer, from the pious Jew, with long life.” [Years later, farbrengen. He would relate that once shtetl Karalevitz. as Reb Mendel languished in Siberian a relative attended a Reb Mendel traveled to that family’s labor camps, his firm belief in the farbrengen of the Rebbe Rashab, and, home, and on Shabbos afternoon a Rebbe Rashab’s bracha gave him the in the height of his inspiration, asked kiddush was held. Reb Mendel didn’t strength to carry on.] the Rebbe Rashab for a tikkun. restrain himself from farbrenging This visit became a yearly custom; The Rebbe Rashab told him, that with the Chassidim gathered in the the last time Reb Mendel merited to whenever the Chassidim in his town home, and late Motzei Shabbos, he see the Rebbe Rashab was when he gather for a farbrengen, he should found himself lying under the table. was thirteen years old, over Tishrei make sure that he is present. That From his low perch, he overheard 5680, half a year before the Rebbe would be his tikkun. the prospective father-in-law tell Rashab’s histalkus. The yeshiva in Nevel was his wife, “It is clear that this is a real A few months later, Reb Mendel discovered, and the wanderings Chassidisher bochur—look how he left home to learn in the underground yeshiva in Kremenchug; when the secret operation was exposed, his wanderings began, spending time in the yeshivos of Kharkov, Vitebsk, In the Merit of a Farbrengen and Nevel. During his years in Reb Berkeh Chein related that he once came to visit Reb Mendel yeshiva, Reb Mendel studied with a when his young son Sholom Ber had fallen deathly ill. The parents were number of legendary mashpi’im; Reb extremely anxious; a few of their children had already passed on, and they Yechezkel (“Chatche”) Feigin and were desperately hoping for a miracle. Reb Itche der Masmid among others. Arriving at Reb Mendel’s home, the doctor turned to him and asked However, his closest relationship was him to leave, saying that “the child has only a short time to live.” Reb with the mashpia Reb Zalman Moshe Berkeh went outside, and walked behind a window, when he heard Reb Hayitzchaki. A deep bond developed Mendel davening to the Aibershter. between the two; Reb Mendel never A shiver went down Reb Berkeh’s spine. Reb Mendel was saying, missed a or a farbrengen, and “Ribono Shel Olam, have mercy on my child. Not in the merit of my Reb Zalman Moshe took special learning; it has not been adequate. Nor because of my davening; it hasn’t notice and care for his talmid, raising been as it should have. Spare my son in the merit that I have never left in him—in his unique manner—to live the midst of a Chassidishe farbrengen…”

ADAR 5777 18 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER A Russian Thug and a Rod “It was Yud-Tes Kislev 5702,” Reb Mendel related. “A thick snowfall covered the city. I was walking down the street when I suddenly noticed a gang of thugs armed with rods and bars, beating my good friend Yankel Gansberg, who had no means of protection and no path to escape. “Being young and strong, I ran over and wrested a bar from one of the beasts. With my new weapon I knocked down one assailant, then another, and in the ensuing PINNY LEW RABBI REB MENDEL JOINS THE MOBILE ON A MIVTZOIM RUN ON THE STREETS OF LONDON. chaos Reb Yankel managed to escape, and I ran and hid in a large pile of snow. was ready to farbreng no matter the keep one ruble for himself, and every “The gang searched for circumstance; we need to do whatever last penny was delivered to support me high and low; they were it takes to make sure he ‘closes’ the Tomchei Temimim. intent on paying me back for shidduch with us.” my ‘insolence.’ But Boruch In the summer of 5693, the Hashem; I managed to save Reb wedding took place, and a new chapter That night, Reb Yankel’s life…” in Reb Mendel’s life began. Mendel tossed With Heart, Soul, and turned; “the and Wallet bochurim are Different colors The state of the yeshivos was dire; A few years passed and new the cost of upkeeping the clandestine starving for bread, dangers arose. In the beginning operation along with supporting the and I’m burying gold of 5700, the Nazis invaded Russia, families of those Chassidim who had and streams of refugees fled east, been incarcerated was prohibitive, coins?” into the depths of Russia’s Asian and the organizers saw in Reb Mendel territories. Thousands of Yidden the confidence, ingenuity, and Once, a partner convinced him to reached Samarkand, among them perseverance that it would take to do put away a few gold coins just in case many Lubavitcher Chassidim. When the job. He was chosen to be one of circumstances would take a turn for Reb Mendel arrived there, he once those responsible to procure the much the worse, and Reb Mendel acquiesced again saw a dire need; this time for needed funds. and buried a few coins in his yard. chadarim for young children. Together The yeshiva bochur now became That night, Reb Mendel tossed and with Reb Yonah Kahn (“Poltaver”), a businessman. A perceptive person turned. “The bochurim are starving for he set up a network of chadarim and by nature, Reb Mendel was very bread, and I’m burying gold coins?” yeshivos which withstood the strains successful in his business dealings, He dug up the money, passed it on of wartime and lasted until 5705, when and brought in vast amounts of profit. to the appropriate individual, and only a new project called to Reb Mendel. Although very large sums of money then returned to sleep for what was The war had ended and the Soviet passed through his hands, he did not left of the night. and Polish governments reached an

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 19 agreement; all of the refugees who threw himself into the new project but Reb Mendel would not hear of it. had fled Poland into Russian territory wholeheartedly. He placed his wife and children on a would be permitted to return to The project was extremely risky; train, but declared that he would not their homeland, provided that they being caught meant facing accusations leave until the last Chossid would find can present proof of their Polish of counter-revolutionary activities— his way out of the country. citizenship. one of the worst offences in the Soviet Ultimately, the operation was Chassidim saw this as a golden Union, carrying a sentence of capital brought to a close; the various opportunity to escape the accursed punishment. passageways were blocked, passports land. Immediately, a committee was Nevertheless, Reb Mendel didn’t were no longer procurable, and then set up to organize and direct a wide slow down; for a long time, he worked the arrests began. One after another, spread operation of forgery. False tirelessly in the border city of Lvov Chassidim involved in the operation Polish passports were needed, and to facilitate the exit of thousands of were picked up by the NKVD, and vast amounts of money were required Chassidim posing as Polish citizens. Reb Mendel understood that his in order to fund this undercover When the operation began to days as a free man were numbered. campaign. Here again, Reb Mendel drag on, some of the organizers used Pulling together a few last passports, was one of the leaders, and he passports to save themselves, joining he boarded a train together with a few the ‘eshalons’ (trains) leaving Russia, more Chassidim, and anticipated the move over the border. Alas, it was not to be. Armed guards burst into the cabin, and Lessons from the Czar’s Soldiers dragged the Chassidim to a starkly Years later, in his with bochurim, Reb Mendel would different destination. expound on the different types of mesiras nefesh that a person could Hauled into prison cells, a bitter attain. period of interrogations began. Reb The highest level, he said, we can learn from a story of the Czar’s Mendel’s interrogations, accompanied soldiers. by its fair share of torture, lasted The Czar once needed to cross a river and no bridge was in sight. for three full months. Throughout Without thinking twice, the soldiers began to jump into the water, the entire period, Reb Mendel held creating a human bridge upon which the Czar passed his cool, and never revealed any Reb Mendel noted that the real mesiras nefesh was from the first incriminating evidence that would soldiers, those who reached the bottom of the river. They would not even harm other Chassidim. In the spirit of merit that the Czar step on them; their names would not be remembered, his trademark gaon Yaakov, he refused and they would not be commended for their sacrifice. That is true mesiras to acknowledge the authority of his nefesh. interrogators, and spoke only when Another lesson which Reb Mendel would learn from the Czar’s he deemed appropriate. He held fast soldiers, was about ahavas Yisrael. to his story: He told the interrogators Part of the troop of the famed and feared Cossacks, were their that everything he did was so that fearsome horses. For a horse to be accepted into the Cossacks’ ranks, it he would be able to see the Rebbe; would be taken for a swim through a raging river. Surviving the swim was he cannot live without the Rebbe. not enough. The horses that would, upon reaching the shore, turn around Had the Rebbe been in Russia and and swim back to help other flailing horses, they would be taken into the he would be outside, he would have Cossacks’ ranks. invested the same efforts to enter From among many lessons Reb Mendel would take from this story, Russia as well. one was a favorite. When a Jew reaches a certain level in avodas Hashem, This explanation didn’t appeal to his mission is then to turn around, search for someone who is flailing in the NKVD. On Erev Lag Baomer 5707, the river, and assist him to reach that level as well. Reb Mendel was sentenced to eight Reb Mendel used to quip that the reason that the modern day seder years of hard labor in Siberia; he was hayeshiva is shorter than the seder customary in Lubavitch, is so that slated for ‘reeducation.’ bochurim could spend the extra three hours to do hafatzas hamaayanos Reb Mendel related: within the walls of the yeshiva. “During the three months of the interrogations, my mind was very

ADAR 5777 20 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER Reb Mendel once related a conversation which he held with himself. A barrel of fish had arrived in the camp at a moment when his legs were bloated of hunger and he felt that he would not be able to hold out much longer. He inspected the barrel, and happily discovered that the fish were kosher. He was about to help himself to a portion, when he noticed that DELIVERING A SHIUR FOR THE BOCHURIM IN KFAR . the lining of the barrel was shiny; it seemed that it may have been smeared unsettled. On the day that I received Kashrus was another aspect which with non-kosher oil… my sentence, I was brought back to my demanded self-sacrifice, and unlike Here began a pilpul: on one hand, cell, and I was finally able to evaluate Shabbos, it tested Reb Mendel on a the fish are kosher, so why should my situation with a settled mind. I constant basis. There were moments he worry about the oil. On the other remembered that the Frierdiker Rebbe when he felt that he would expire of hand, oil is a davar hamaamid, had once said that all those who are hunger, but never did he allow treifos which affects the kashrus of all the situated in Russia and in prison, when to enter his mouth. contents of a pot, and the fish might they will think about him, he will think about them. “I stood in the corner of the cell, “I stood in the corner of the cell, closed my closed my eyes, and imagined that I eyes, and imagined that I was standing in was standing in yechidus before the Yechidus before the Frierdiker Rebbe...” Frierdiker Rebbe, or at least sending him a letter describing my plight. “Years later I found out, that on that same day, the Frierdiker Rebbe sent a telegram to my family in London, which said that “the pan was received.” Siberia Arriving in Siberia, Reb Mendel was resolute; Shabbos would be held sacred, come what may. Once again, he didn’t try excuses and tricks; he outspokenly declared to the camp commander that on Shabbos, he does not work. The response he received was resolute as well; the commander was not about to accept this threat to his authority, and made it very clear that there will be no such behavior in his domain. But Reb Mendel proved that he would be unyielding; he told the commander that he could kill him, but Shabbos he does not desecrate. Astonishingly, his demand was fulfilled, and he was not required to THE REBBE’S LETTER TO REB MENDEL AND HIS WIFE UPON THE OCCASION OF THEIR SON’S MARRIAGE. HE IS ADDRESSED AS “FROM THE FOREMOST OF MEKUSHARIM TO OUR RABBEIM” AND A HOST OF OTHER work on the holy day… TITLES.

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 21 therefore be treif. On the other hand, these ideals entirely. Not so Reb with the Rebbe, the Rebbe asked him it was a question of pikuach nefesh— Mendel; whenever he noticed an when he had found out about the all other considerations should be opportunity, he did not allow it to pass histalkus, and he related the story. The rendered naught. by him. Rebbe then asked him what words Then he remembered the vort of For some time, Reb Mendel also the interrogator used to tell him the the Alter Rebbe (stated when he was managed to put on every day. news; Reb Mendel replied that he is incarcerated in Petersburg): it is better He had smuggled in a small pair, incapable of verbalizing such coarse to remain clean of treifos, even at the and each day on the way to work, his language…] price of one’s olam habah. With that gentile comrades would surround him A few years later, Reb Mendel thought in mind, he decided that he and protect him from the guard’s view. received a beacon of light from his would not touch the unclean fish. This custom came to an end when it new Rebbe. The maamar “Lo S’hiye “But then my yetzer hara came with was forty degrees below zero, and the Mishakela 5712” was smuggled to him a taaneh: you Mendel, are a chitzon, strap of the tefillin froze and snapped. by Chassidim in Russia; the surprise of not a pnimi; to fulfill the ideals of the a maamar Chassidus brought him new Alter Rebbe, one must be a pnimi… A New Rebbe life and hope for better days. “But that taaneh ruined the chances From time to time, Reb Mendel of the yetzer hara. I realized, that here would be interrogated by his jailers, Chernovitz I have a chance to use out even my often to check up on their reeducation After eight long years, Reb Mendel chitzon side to fulfill the directive of project. One time, the interrogator was released from prison and allowed the Alter Rebbe…” had a new piece of information which to return home. With no family in Confined and oppressed, it was knew would dampen the spirits of the country, Reb Mendel settled in impossible to keep most of the his determined prisoner. He told him Chernovitz, where he lived close to mitzvos, let alone Chassidic customs. that his Rebbe had passed on, and his friend Reb Moshe Vishedsky. On In fact, the nature of being in such added that his son-in-law had become his way to Chernovitz, he stopped off a state can cause one to forget about the Rebbe. [During his first yechidus in Moscow for a few days. Reb Moshe EREV ROSH HASHANAH 5749, LEVI FREIDIN via JEM 223477 5749, HASHANAH EREV ROSH

ADAR 5777 22 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER Katzanelenboigen related that he met Kozliner for a few hours of Gemara Rebbe had read his thoughts and Reb Mendel in Moscow, and to his learning, and then he would head sent him an uplifting message in his surprise, Reb Mendel had asked him home together with Reb Moshe hardest moments.” to raise money for him. Reb Moshe Vishedsky’s son Michel, a young Reb Mendel lived in Chernovitz for was surprised to hear such a request bochur at the time. They would eat four years and he missed his family from a person like Reb Mendel, but lunch and learn together for two terribly. But more than anything else, soon enough he understood. He raised hours, and then Reb Mendel would he wanted to travel to the Rebbe. a considerable sum, and when Reb spend a few hours focusing on his Since the day he had heard from his Mendel received it, he said, work for the community, after which interrogators that there was a new “Nu, Boruch Hashem now we he would return to his home and Rebbe, he wanted to go see him, and will be able to open a in spend another two hours learning when the Rebbe sent him his first Chernovitz…” with Michel, and then a hour and a Rosh Hashanah greeting, signed A few days after he arrived in half with another Chossid, and then “Dyedushka” (Grandfather) in Russian, Chernovitz, he also began planning he would recite krias shema and gather his wish grew into intense yearning. a mehudardiker mikveh, which was strength for another day. He tried to obtain an exit permit to missing in the city at the time. Resting Reb Michel Vishedsky relates: leave the country, but after a few failed after a lengthy prison sentence was “I once found Reb Mendel in a attempts, he wrote to the Rebbe, and evidently not on his mind. spirited mood. I asked him what with the Rebbe’s approval, he moved In his new setting, Reb Mendel the occasion was, and he told me as to Samarkand. settled into his new schedule. Each follows. morning he would daven with the “He had dreamt a dream from Samarkand earliest minyan in town, not before he which he concluded that his end was In this distant Asian city, one of finished reciting the entire Tehillim. near. Understandably, he had been the last underground yeshivos in the Then, at eight o’clock in the feeling down with that in mind, when Soviet Union remained active. Reb morning, he would show up at the suddenly, somehow, a letter from the Mendel arrived right after Reb Berkeh Vishedsky home, where he would Rebbe had arrived. Chein had left Samarkand, and he learn with Reb Moshe for “In the letter, the Rebbe asked how took his place as the ‘senior mashpia’ two hours. They would cover only a Jew can despair, especially when he of the Chassidim in the city. a few lines each day, as they would has a bracha from the Rebbe for long Rabbi Hillel Zaltzman relates, constantly be referencing other life, and especially when they will see that when they first experienced a . each other very soon. farbrengen with Reb Mendel, they Then Reb Mendel would continue “Reb Mendel told me that he hadn’t were very surprised. to the house of Reb Chaim Zalman dared to write to the Rebbe, but the “We were all accustomed to Reb Berkeh Chein’s style, who would always urge us to improve in our commitment to Chassidus through hisbonenus in davening, and being meticulous in everything we see, hear and say. Every farbrengen with Reb Berkeh was intense and left us introspective, even embittered, reminded as we were how much we still had to work on ourselves. “Reb Mendel’s farbrengen, by contrast, was full of Chassidic sayings, tales and allegories, each with its own lesson. His farbrengens were full of joy and enthusiasm. It took us a while to get used to Reb Mendel’s style and LEVI FREIDIN via JEM 287938 to learn that all of his witticisms and REB MENDEL ADDRESSES THE ANNUAL YUD-TES KISLEV FARBRENGEN 5734 IN , WITH FORMER PRESIDENT IN ATTENDANCE.

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 23 and helping Yidden wherever they may be. He Doesn’t Make Cheshbonos! He began traveling from shul During the farbrengen of Yud Shevat 5722, the Rebbe said: to shul throughout London and “There is a Jew sitting in Russia, and for a number of years, his family the surrounding cities, organizing has been in the free world, but he is left there alone. He has a full beard, shiurei Chassidus for young and old. and if he wishes, he could sit a whole day by himself and learn. He also began fundraising for the “This would also be in accordance with Shulchan Aruch. Being active Yidden whom he had left behind; in spreading Yiddishkeit is fraught with danger… before leaving, he promised them that “He can also decide to pray to Hashem that the good people win. he would do everything within his “But he didn’t choose any of those choices. He decided to be active. In power to help them, and he didn’t let what is he active? In building mikvaos... them down. He traveled extensively, “His wife is not with him, and he will have no personal benefit from bringing with him the story of the a woman’s mikveh. He simply knows that if he is in a location without a plight of the Jews behind the Iron mikveh, it is surely b’hashgacha pratis, and whether he will benefit or not, Curtain. he must do his part in bringing Moshiach one step closer. Reb Mendel would go about his “Doing this work is at the risk of his life. It means collecting funds— travels in the manner of the shadars something that brings publicity. Then he needs to publicize that there is a of the Rabbeim; arriving in a city, he mikveh; otherwise of what use is it? would immediately look into what the “Nevertheless he does not think about any cheshbonos. He knows one city was missing, and would conduct thing only; that he must move forward, and bring the world one step fabrengens and shiurim with the locals. closer to Moshiach.” These farbrengens themselves were the magnet which drew potential donors to him, and encouraged them to help stories were replete with Chassidus With the help of a few activists in him in his cause. and avodas Hashem.” London, the right strings were pulled, Every time Reb Mendel would find Meanwhile, Reb Mendel returned and Reb Mendel arrived in New York himself in the company of Yidden who to his efforts to obtain an exit visa, and for Yud-Tes Kislev. The wish of fifteen were not yet observant, he would use this time, other activists, and even the years had finally been fulfilled. the opportunity to do mivtzoim. His Rebbe himself were involved. The sight of Reb Mendel standing english was practically non-existent, An activist in England heard in Gan Eden Hatachton awaiting and his usual suggestion was, “I Jew, that the British Prime Minister his first yechidus with the Rebbe was you Jew; I tefillin, you tefillin.” But was traveling to Russia to meet the itself a learning experience. Mothers the language barrier notwithstanding, Premier, Nikita Khrushchev. With pointed out to their children, saying, the Jew would usually be cajoled into the Rebbe’s permission, the Prime “Look how a Chossid prepares himself cooperating. “Words that come from Minister was requested to intervene before going into the Rebbe.” the heart, enter the heart.” on Reb Mendel’s behalf, on the basis During that first yechidus, the Even as an elderly man in Eretz of family-reunification. The official Rebbe asked Reb Mendel in detail Yisrael when he suffered from severe policy of the Soviet Union was that about his life in Russia. The Rebbe also foot issues and walking was very they permitted family-reunification, so instructed him regarding his new life, difficult for him, Reb Mendel made the Premier wasn’t able to refuse, and and focused specifically on arranging herculean efforts to go on mivtzoim. in the beginning of Cheshvan 5724, brissin for Russian Jews (this was When people would ask him why he Reb Mendel received his visa. something that remained close to Reb went to such lengths, he would tell One month later, Reb Mendel’s Mendel for the rest of his life). them that it is for two reasons: plane touched down in England, Life in the free world “First of all, by doing the Rebbe’s where he was reunited with his mivtzoim, one connects with the Settling in England, Reb Mendel family after so many years of painful Rebbe himself; how can I forgo this went into the textile business. But this separation. But there was no time to opportunity? Second of all, in Siberia was secondary to his primary focus— rest. He immediately applied for a visa I missed many days of tefillin. Now I spreading Yiddishkeit and Chassidus, to the United States so that he would have to make them up.” be able to come to the Rebbe.

ADAR 5777 24 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER “It took us a while began to suspect that the Rebbe New Post planned on appointing him to be the The next Yud-Beis Tammuz, Reb to get used to Reb mashpia in Kfar Chabad. Mendel was by the Rebbe once again, Mendel’s style and Meanwhile, Reb Mendel and his and this time the Rebbe spoke to to learn that all of wife traveled to the Holy Land, visited him clearly about his appointment. the various sites, and at the end of Reb Mendel protested; many years in his witticisms and Av, they returned to their home in business and fundraising had dulled stories were replete England. his capacity as a mashpia, he claimed; Sometime later, Reb Mendel’s how would he be able to counsel with Chassidus and family was struck by tragedy. bochurim? avodas Hashem.” Reb Mendel’s daughter and The Rebbe told him that the son-in-law and their family were Aibershter will help him, and he Each year, Reb Mendel would driving from a summer home when will find the right words at the right travel to the Rebbe for Tishrei. This they were involved in a terrible car moment. trip as well, was accompanied by accident. The windows burst and all The soldier that he was, Reb trips before and after to fundraise for of the passengers flew out. With open Mendel returned to London and various causes, as well as mivtzoim miracles, almost everyone survived immediately began preparing for throughout. safely, with one exception; Reb his move to Eretz Yisrael, where he When he would be in 770, a natural Mendel’s daughter perished on impact. arrived for the first zeman on Rosh place to find Reb Mendel was next Reb Mendel was no stranger Chodesh Elul. to the chozrim, at the conclusion of to hardship or tragedy. Two of his During his first farbrengens in every farbrengen. While the majority children had died as infants, and Kfar Chabad, Reb Mendel drew large of the crowd would leave 770 after the another two daughters had passed on crowds, and he demanded from them, farbrengen, Reb Mendel would always, in the war years in Samarkand. in his passionate and compelling without fail, take his place next to Another tragedy seemed to be too fashion, that come Tishrei, a Chossid Reb Yoel Kahan, who, together with difficult to bear. must be by the Rebbe. Hearing this a group of chozrim would repeat the Reb Mendel often said that he then theme again and again, his message Rebbe’s entire farbrengen. He would understood what the Rebbe had been had an immediate effect, and for that remain there until he was sure that he referring to, when he said that he Tishrei, a large group of Chassidim understood every single sicha clearly. should bet ois aleh gutteh zachen, and made there way to New York together perhaps that had helped his son-in-law with their new mashpia. One More Move and grandchildren survive, and that From that year on, Reb Mendel’s In 5731, the legendary mashpia of thought helped him carry on through schedule was as follows. After Tomchei Temimim in Kfar Chabad, such difficult times. beginning the zeman of Elul with Reb Shlomo Chaim Kesselman passed away. A short time later, Reb Efraim Wolf asked the Rebbe in yechidus who should be appointed in his place, and the Rebbe chose Reb Mendel Futerfas. A short time later, Reb Mendel was by the Rebbe for Yud-Beis Tammuz, and in yechidus the Rebbe instructed him to go to Eretz Yisrael, visit the mekomos hakedoshim, and oisbetin aleh gutteh zachen, ask for all good things, and that in a year’s time, they will talk about settling down permanently. During that same yechidus, the Rebbe spoke to him at length about the value of the bochurim in Tomchei Temimim,

extolling their virtues. Reb Mendel LEVI FREIDIN via JEM 204500 9 TISHREI 5737,

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 25 Hearing this theme again and again, his message had an immediate effect.

of Communism there were many such individuals, and unfortunately, nothing has remained of them. One of the most recurring themes of the farbrengens would be the need for hiskashrus to the Rebbe; first of all through traveling to the Rebbe and going on mivtzoim, and just as LEVI FREIDIN via JEM, 141691 importantly, through learning the REB MENDEL IN CONVERSATION WITH REB ZALMAN GURARY IN 770, VOV TISHREI 5736. Rebbe’s Torah. Reb Mendel would relate that the bochurim, he would travel to His farbrengens were always when his own mashpia, Reb Zalman raise funds in Europe, and for Rosh packed; his engaging and exciting Moshe was a young man, the Rebbe Hashanah he would continue to New manner was an automatic magnet Rashab asked him why he had ceased York. After the Yomim Tovim, he which drew bochurim and yungeleit, attending the shiurim of Reb Shmuel would travel around the United States Chassidim and non-Chassidim. Gronem, the mashpia of his town. together with Reb Shmuel Dovid Everyone was sure that they would Reb Zalman Moshe replied Raichik, and after Yud-Tes Kislev in leave the farbrengen uplifted, excited, that “he doesn’t teach the Rebbe’s New York he would return to Eretz with new insight and depth in their maamarim”—Reb Shmuel would teach Yisrael for the remainder of the year. avodas Hashem. the maamarim that he had heard from One of Reb Mendel’s favorite The Mashpia his Rebbe, the Rebbe Maharash. A themes was talking about the need short time later, a message came from In his new position as mashpia, Reb to learn Chassidus and connect to Lubavitch; Reb Zalman Moshe’s seder Mendel energetically began to raise the Rebbe. When misnagdim would in Chassidus should not be disturbed. a generation of bochurim to be the complain that he is not deferential Reb Mendel’s farbrengens were Rebbe’s soldiers. In his farbrengens, he to their rabbanim, he was quick to famous for his witty anecdotes and demanded of the bochurim non-stop retort that his ideals were actually compelling stories about his life in to be totally devoted to the Rebbe’s quite factually based. He knew very Russia and in the Siberian gulag. activities, and to dedicate themselves well what happened to those who Always taking a lesson in avodas entirely to the Rebbe. study Torah, but fail to ‘hold on to the Rebbe’s kliamke’—with the advent

The Maggid’s chevraya Reb Mendel related what he had once heard from Reb Dovid Horodoker: Reb Dovid had asked, “Who is part of the ‘Maggid’s chevraya’? Someone who wakes up early on Shabbos morning, learns Chassidus for hours, davens b’arichus, eats just a little bit and then goes back to learn Chassidus? No! he is not part of the ‘Maggid’s chevraya.’” Reb Mendel said that for many years he wondered about the meaning of Reb Dovid’s statement. If such a person is not from the ‘Maggid’s chevraya,’ then who is? But then, a fellow Chossid in London explained it to him, Reb Mendel said. A Chossid who wakes up early on Shabbos morning and walks a long way to chazer the Rebbe’s sicha in a distant shul; then walks to the other end of the city to do the same in another shul—he is part of the ‘Maggid’s chevraya...’

ADAR 5777 26 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER בעיר גדולה בכל עניני העיר, והוא בדרך Hashem, some of his tales are told over Same here in our situation, Reb מלמעלה מדרך הטבע בזכות אבות העולם." by Jews from all walks of life. Mendel would tell them. The mere thought that the Rebbe didn’t leave his Warmth from the Czar “One single Chossid or talmid who flock, and continues leading them just devotes his heart, mind, and soul to After Gimmel Tammuz, many as before, should ‘warm their frozen strengthening Torah can accomplish Chassidim bemoaned the sorry state bones’ and reinforce their faith that wonders in a large city, in all that city’s to Reb Mendel; “What will be, how they will see the Rebbe very soon. affairs - in a manner that transcends can we go on”? As Tishrei approached, Reb Mendel the natural order, by the merit of Reb Mendel would remind them began preparing for his usual trip to the “Fathers of the World” [i.e. the of a story about a soldier in the Czar’s the Rebbe for Yom Tov. He stopped Rabbeim].” army; appointed to guard duty in off in London to visit his son Sholom A worthy tribute to a true Chossid the worst temperatures, the soldier Ber, and while there, he fell ill, and who sacrificed his life spreading nearly froze to death. After being the doctors ordered him to remain. Yiddishkeit and helping fellow Jews in nursed back to health, his comrades Over the following months his health the worst of times, continuing on in thought he would be commended for deteriorated, and on 4 Tammuz 5755, the free world as a staunch soldier of his faithful service. To their surprise, Reb Mendel passed away. the Rebbe. the commander ordered that he be The entry in for 4 (Much of the information in this flogged. The commander explained Tammuz reads: article is based on the sefer Reb Mendel” published by“ “חסיד אחד או תלמיד אחד כאשר נותן לבו that the mere thought that he was (Eshel—Kfar Chabad דעתו ונפשו על התורה וחיזוקה, פועל ישועות representing the Czar should have warmed him. JEM 304364 DEEP INTO A CHASSIDISHER FARBRENGEN IN THE SMALL ZAL OF 770, REB MENDEL AND REB EMBRACE.

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 27