CHOSSID AT THE FRONT Reb Avraham Parshan

ON A MOMENT’S NOTICE, HE COULD JUMP ONTO A PLANE TO FULFILL ONE MISSION OR ANOTHER AFTER RECEIVING INSTRUCTIONS FROM RABBI HODAKOV, DONATE HUGE FUNDS FOR UNPOPULAR CAUSES AT THE ’S REQUEST, OR PUT IN COUNTLESS HOURS IN SOLVING THE ISSUES OF A MOSAD.

He was always ready to join the Rebbe’s cause.

ADAR II 5779 48 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER לע"נ הרה"ח הרה"ת ר' אברהם יעקב In preparation of this article we were greatly assisted by interviews ב"ר חיים מרדכי ע"ה נלב"ע כ"ה תשרי ה'תשנ"ו .with Reb Avraham’s children, grandchildren and acquaintances ולע"נ זוגתו האשה החשובה These include Reb Yosef Parshan, Reb Mayer Parshan, Rabbi Yaakov מרת פריידא ראצא Biderman, Rabbi Yehuda Blesofsky, Rabbi Doron Eizenman, Rabbi בת הרב יחיאל אפרים פישל ע"ה נלב"ע ט"ז אדר-שני ה'תשע"ו ,Tuvia Blau, Rabbi Zalman Aharon Grossbaum, Rabbi Levi Garelik ת’נ'צ'ב'ה’ Rabbi Dovid Sholom Pape and others. We thank them for their time. נדפס ע"י בנם הרה"ת ר' משה מאיר שמואל וזוגתו רבקה לאה ומשפחתם שיחיו גלוכאווסקי CHAI ELUL 5739, LEVI FREIDIN VIA JEM 191665 5739, CHAI ELUL

ADAR II 5779 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 49 Early Life and Lelover , the Rebbes to Canada. While flying over Europe, Reb Avraham Parshan (originally of Ruzhin, the Tchebiner Rav and the pilot noticed a malfunction on Parshanovsky) was born in 5670* others. Although Pag”i was often the aircraft, and was forced to make in Lodz, Poland. His parents at loggerheads with many of these an emergency landing without the (תר“ע) were respectable Sochatchover rabbanim who supported the original use of wheels. The result was disaster Chassidim. Agudas Yisroel movement, he quickly and tragedy; 72 passengers, the vast After his marriage, he traveled to gained their respect for his ingenuity majority on the flight, were killed Eretz Yisroel with his young wife, and genuine ahavas Yisroel. on impact. Only three passengers and settled in Tel Aviv. Tragically, his Reb Avraham’s daughter survived. One of them was Reb wife passed away following childbirth Esther relates: “During the War of Avraham, who escaped the tragedy .we with a severe leg injury ,(תש“ח) *leaving him with two young children, Independence in 5708 Dov and Esther. Two years later, were stranded in Yerushalayim along He was hospitalised in a medical he remarried into a distinguished with everyone else, but my father center in Munich, Germany, for Yerushalmi family and moved to nevertheless took responsibility for three months. While there, he had Yerushalayim. his fellow Jews. He organized many his first encounter with Lubavitcher ,the Pag”i caravans to smuggle food and vital Chassidim; he needed kosher food ,(תרצ“ט) *In 5699 movement (“Porshei Agudas Yisroel”) supplies to the city, sneaking them and it was provided for him by the was founded to cater to the needs of in through hidden roads. On several Chassidim in Poking. religious Jews in Eretz Yisroel. Shortly occasions, his van was seen passing Then, several year later, in afterwards, Reb Avraham joined the and was riddled with bullets by the 5714*, Reb Avraham and his family leadership and took an active part in Arab Legions. On one occasion, bullet emigrated to Toronto, Canada. its activities. holes were even found in the loaves Finding himself in a new location, He quickly developed a name of bread that he was carrying, but distant from his former home and for his tireless work and his shrewd miraculously, he was not hurt.” acquaintances, Reb Avraham visited approach to askanus. He spearheaded Knowing about his good work, many Rebbes, roshei and the first building project geared he was even appointed, for a short rabbanim, and searched for a place to towards frumme Yidden, where period of time, as the deputy Minister call home. But he wasn’t satisfied with suitable apartments were sold at low of Rationing and Supply of ’s his experiences. prices to religious families. first government, responsible for He became close friends with a In Yerushalayim, Reb Avraham administering the austerity program in Lubavitcher Chossid named Reb became acquainted with many of the Yerushalayim and its environs. Chaim Leima Minkowitz from Toronto, who, like him, was a learned prominent rabbanim and Rebbes. In This is Different! the course of his communal work, and hartzige Yid. He introduced him Reb Avraham was ,(תש“ז) *In 5707 he dealt with the Gerrer, Belzer to the world of Lubavitch and to on a business trip from Eretz Yisroel Chassidus .

ADAR II 5779 z 50 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 5725-1964, 5670-1910, 5699-1939, 5708-1948, 5707-1947, 5714-1954 YOSSI MELAMED VIA JEM 112856 MELAMED YOSSI THE REBBE SPEAKS WITH REB AVRAHAM DURING KOS SHEL BRACHA, MOTZEI SIMCHAS TORAH 5744*.

In the end, Reb Chaim brought Reb ON ONE OCCASION, BULLET HOLES WERE EVEN Avraham along to spend a Shabbos in 770. He participated in the Rebbe’s FOUND IN THE LOAVES OF BREAD THAT HE WAS Shabbos Mevorchim and CARRYING, BUT MIRACULOUSLY, HE WAS NOT HURT. went into yechidus. Expressing himself to his friends, he shared that he finally Nevertheless, after his yechidus, he told He would receive all sefarim of felt that he had found his place. Reb Chaim Leima with tears in his Chassidus immediately after being “My grandfather knew many eyes, ‘Chaim, this is the first time I felt printed, and Rabbi Hodakov would Rebbes in Eretz Yisroel,” says Reb that this was my R ebb e.’” telephone him on a weekly basis to Avraham’s grandson, Rabbi Yaakov The experience by the Rebbe gave speak about his studies in Chassidus. Biderman of Vienna. “He worked with him the impression that this is a Rebbe Reb Avraham had been well-versed in the Gerrer Rebbes, Reb Aharon of Belz of klal Yisroel, genuinely involved in sefarim of Chagas Chassidus and he stayed in his home, and the Lelover caring for Yidden all over the world. spent considerable amounts of time Rebbe was his mechutan. He was also The Rebbe guided Reb Avraham delving into his newly discovered a Sochatchover Chossid from birth. closely on his “journey” to Lubavitch. world of Chassidus Chabad.

ADAR II 5779 5744-1983 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 51 Very quickly, Reb Avraham became deeply attached to the Rebbe. “He always looked for reasons to come to the Rebbe,” says Rabbi Biderman. “Every yoma depagra, every farbrengen, he was always there.” Reb Avraham’s greatest pleasure, throughout his life, was to travel to New York to participate in the Rebbe’s . He would sit behind the Rebbe and listen intently to the Rebbe’s sichos. He was a proficient Torah scholar and had a deep appreciation for the Rebbe’s Torah, and after each farbrengen, his grandchildren relate that he would be

on a high for several hours. CHABAD CHASSIDEI OF AGUDAS LIBRARY AT A SIYUM SEFER TORAH ARRANGED BY THE SHLUCHIM IN MILANO, ITALY. L-R: RABBIS AVRAHAM First Use PARSHAN, SIMCHA ELBERG, PINCHUS HIRSCHPRUNG, AND YOSEF WINEBERG. Reb Yosef Parshan, Reb Avraham’s price of two dollars, and the building “When the Rebbe spoke about son, relates: remained in the hands of anash. saving the Jewish community in “There was a certain individual Crown Heights in 5729*,” Rabbi who ran a small shul and afternoon At the Forefront Biderman relates, “my grandfather Talmud Torah in Toronto. As he aged, As the years passed, the Rebbe took a big role in the campaign, going he wanted his project to continue, so constantly involved Reb Avraham ahead and buying eight buildings he decided to donate the building to in Chabad activities. He didn’t just (which he later sold).” Chabad. He reached out to my father, contribute towards the costs; he was The Rebbe once told Rabbi Zalman who coordinated with Rabbi Leibel actively involved in the planning and Gurary in yechidus that anash could Kramer of Montreal to come transfer execution of the activities, never too learn from Reb Avraham how to give the deed to the Rabbinical College tired or too busy to roll up his sleeves tzedakah. of Montreal (there was no Chabad and get involved. “Certain projects were especially corporation in Toronto in those days).” Often, the Rebbe would direct precious to my grandfather,” At the time, the local Lubavitchers shluchim or askanim his way, so they says Rabbi Biderman, “especially weren’t yet acquainted with Reb could benefit from his intelligence institutions that were named in Avraham. and generosity. His shrewdness and memory of the Rebbe’s parents. He “Rabbi Kramer was instructed by ingenuity were valuable assets for any always looked for ways to give the Rabbi Hodakov that my father should mosad trying to engage in a project Rebbe nachas, so he would take on any serve as the middleman. larger than itself. project that would be in their memory. “During the legal proceedings, Whenever the Rebbe announced “The Levi Yitzchak Library in my father suggested, with the Rebbe’s a new initiative, Reb Avraham would Crown Heights, for example, was advice and approval, that the building be a primary supporter. For example, renovated and refurbished by my be sold to Chabad for a symbolic sum when Chabad of Paris sought to buy grandfather.” of two dollars.” its first , Reb Avraham Reb Avraham also bought the Reb Avraham’s advice turned out was the one who provided the funding building for the to be very foresightful. Some years to clinch the deal. The first mitzvah Institute for baalos teshuvah, and he later, the donor had a change of tank was purchased by Reb Avraham asked the Rebbe if they could name it heart and wanted to renege on the who also replicated the Rebbe’s chair in memory of Rebbetzin Chana. The deal and give the building to another to put in to the tank, symbolizing Rebbe called him into yechidus and community. Due to the peculiarities that the Rebbe travels along with the handed him 100 ten-dollar bills as a of Canadian law, the transaction was bochurim doing mivtzoim. personal contribution to the project. only considered final due to the sale

ADAR II 5779 z 52 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 5729-1969 forthcoming for any cause related Milah Biselah to the Rebbe. Although the Rebbe Reb Yosef Parshan relates: rarely asked individuals to donate to Following Simchas Torah one year, a group of askanim who were any cause, Reb Avraham’s dedication visiting from Toronto entered the Rebbe’s room for a yechidus along with brought him the merit that he was my father. called on by the Rebbe to donate on Beforehand, the askanim decided that they needed to bring up a numerous occasions, and the Rebbe complaint about a certain issue in Toronto; they felt it needed the Rebbe’s personally relied on him. attention. One of Reb Avraham’s most As they were in the Rebbe’s room, the individual who planned to lasting legacies was in Eretz Yisroel, bring up the issue got cold feet, and decided to push the issue onto my where he was deeply involved in the father. He told the Rebbe, “Reb Avraham would like to tell the Rebbe development of mosdos Chabad. He s ome t h i ng .” sponsored a number of buildings, was My father was no fool, and he wasn’t about to become their conduit to heavily involved in the construction of tell the Rebbe something that would bring the Rebbe agmas nefesh, so he Beis, was a key supporter remained silent. of Colel Chabad, and contributed Looking at him, the Rebbe said, “Reb Avraham, emes takeh es shteit, generously to many other institutions. ‘Milah biselah ushtikusa bitrei,’ uber az ir vet reden asach, vet ir hoben asach The in was a selaim. Indeed, the Gemara says, ‘A word is worth a selah, but silence is primary example. worth two.’ But if you speak, you will have many selaim.” Reb Avraham once wrote a routine Commanded by the Rebbe to speak, he decided to say what was really letter to the Rebbe asking about on his heart. buying shares in a certain business in He told the Rebbe how uplifting Sukkos and Simchas Torah had been America which many were investing in the Rebbe’s presence, and how hakafos brought a real inspiration to the in, when the Rebbe suggested a Chassidim, and how they all wish the Rebbe continued health and nachas different investment: from the Chassidim... The government had given Chabad a large lot in the city of Lod upon which to build apartments. Investors were needed. The Rebbe said that he would personally cover one third of the cost of construction, the government will cover another third, and, the Rebbe suggested, Reb Avraham would cover the last third. It didn’t seem like it would be a profitable deal. The Rebbe wanted them to build a massive apartment block, but Chabad officials in Eretz Yisroel felt there wouldn’t be customers. The Rebbe informed them that Russian immigrants would soon be arriving, but at that time they were nowhere in sight. Nonetheless, Reb Avraham took RASKIN FAMILY ARCHIVES FAMILY RASKIN the deal and became heavily involved REB AVRAHAM (CENTER) POSES WITH REB (RIGHT) AND REB HESHKE GANSBURG (LEFT) IN A NEW WHICH HE SPONSORED. in the project. He would be in Eretz Yisroel twice a year to mark the “He loved doing things that would A Special Love yahrzeits of his parents, and he would bring the Rebbe nachas on a personal What probably singled out Reb visit Lod each time. He would deal level.” Avraham from many other baalei with the contractors, the mayor and tzedakah was that he was extremely

ADAR II 5779 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 53 the builders, and always did his utmost Rebbe about investing in, went The Rebbe was referring to Reb to make sure it would be a success. bankrupt. Tuvia Blau. Immediately after Yom Several months passed, and no Another special donation made at Tov, Reb Avraham traveled to Eretz buyers were on the horizon. Then, the Rebbe’s behest, was the Chabad Yisroel to donate the land, and suddenly, the gates of the Soviet shul in Sanhedria in Yerushalayim. together with Reb Tuvia, they erected Union opened for a brief few years While in New York for Simchas Torah a shul in Sanhedria which became the following the Six Day War, and floods 5728*, Reb Shlomo Maidanchik from center of Chabad in Yerushalayim, of immigrants poured into Eretz Kfar Chabad solicited Reb Avraham to and is active until today. Reb Avraham Yisroel. The government was in dire donate a property he owned in Petach chose the name “Beis Chana” after the need of apartments, and they bought Tikvah for the benefit of Kfar Chabad. Rebbe’s mother, Rebbetzin Chana, and a number of blocks for a good price. When they approached the Rebbe from that point on, the Rebbe followed Reb Avraham was able to provide at the farbrengen, the Rebbe asked: every step of the construction with these people with a proper home, and “What does Petach Tikvah have to do great interest. to make a sizable profit as well; he with Kfar Chabad?!” then gave the proceeds to build the Turning to Reb Avraham, the The Rebbe’s Shliach dormitory for the yeshiva, and the Rebbe suggested something else: Due to his connections with mikveh and shul as well. “You also own land in Sanhedria in different gedolei Yisroel from his days Meanwhile, the original contractor Yerushalayim, and there are yungeleit living in Eretz Yisroel and through that Reb Avraham had asked the there looking around for a place to his hachnasas orchim, Reb Avraham build a shul and they are struggling.” was often the go-between for the Rebbe to their courts. On a number of occasions the Rebbe sent him to SEVERAL MONTHS PASSED, AND NO BUYERS WERE ON the Gerer Rebbe, the Beis Yisroel, and THE HORIZON. THEN, SUDDENLY, THE GATES OF THE he also facilitated the yechidus of Reb Yaakov, the current Gerrer Rebbe (the SOVIET UNION OPENED... FLOODS OF IMMIGRANTS son of the then-Gerrer Rebbe, the Lev POURED INTO ERETZ YISROEL. Simcha) with the Rebbe. There was even one time, during the height of the misnagdim’s dispute A Million with Chabad, when the Rebbe sent At the farbrengen of Yud Shevat 5735*, Reb Avraham brought a him to visit one of the roshei yeshiva philanthropist named Joe Tenenbaum to the Rebbe, and informed the who was fanning the flames of hate. Rebbe that he pledged half a million dollars to build in Kfar Chabad. On other occasions, Reb Avraham Mr. Tenenbaum immediately protested, “A quarter-million!” was sent by the Rebbe to visit mosdos The Rebbe turned to Mr. Tenenbaum, and to facilitate the building of new “Why are you afraid to commit to half-a-million? The Aibershter could mosdos. make you wealthier, and you’ll be able to give more! A Yid says that you’ll Reb Yosef Parshan relates: “Once be able to give half-a-million… in 5732*, my father called Rabbi Mr. Tenenbaum repeated himself, “I say a quarter, he says a half,” so Hodakov to tell him that he was the Rebbe continued: traveling to Eretz Yisroel. He asked if “If you’ll be able to give half a million, that’s even better. Now you there’s anything he should do as the have a certain amount of capital which you calculate allows you to give a Rebbe’s shliach during his visit. Rabbi quarter-million, comes along Parshan and says that you will have enough Hodakov answered in the affirmative. capital to give twice as much, so you can indeed have twice as much The Rebbe asked that he make a capital!” stop in Milan on the way. Shortly After Mr. Tenenbaum said l’chaim, the Rebbe turned to him again and afterwards, my father was on his way said, “If Parshan will come along in a few weeks, saying you can give a to Milan.” million, don’t get scared.” Rabbi Levi Garelik continues: “Reb Pointing at Reb Avraham, the Rebbe concluded with a smile “Then see Avraham made his way to the office to it that he, too, gives a million…”1 of my father, Rabbi . Sitting in the office, my father

ADAR II 5779 z 54 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 5728-1968, 5732-1972, 5735-1975 REB AVRAHAM (SECOND FROM LEFT) AT THE REBBE’S MINYAN FOR SELICHOS, 20 ELUL 5737*. LEVI FREIDIN VIA JEM 20679

REB AVRAHAM (RIGHT) GREETS ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER MENACHEM BEGIN AT THE BAR MITZVAH FOR THE ORPHANED CHILDREN OF IDF SOLDIERS, AN ANNUAL EVENT COORDINATED BY TZACH IN ISRAEL, 19 AV 5737. SECOND FROM THE LEFT IS REB YISROEL LEIBOV, THE CHAIRMAN OF TZACH IN ISRAEL. LEVI FREIDIN VIA JEM 299234

ADAR II 5779 5737-1977 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 55 and Reb Avraham were discussing getting him involved in the battle of On another occasion, Reb Avraham the issue of Mihu Yehudi and Mihu Yehudi, which the Rebbe had went in for a yechidus with the Rebbe brainstorming about different ways to been speaking about for two years. before one of his trips to Eretz Yisroel. abolish this devastating gezeirah. “This was their opportunity. He told the Rebbe that he planned “As they were talking, my father Being that Mr. Astorre Mayer was a to speak with prominent individuals received a call from the women’s major supporter of the State of Israel about Mihu Yehudi, not as the Rebbe’s chevra kaddisha. They wanted to know and many Israeli dignitaries were shliach, but independently. The Rebbe which pesukim should be said during present, Reb Avraham used out the became very serious and responded a tahara, because, they explained, opportunity and delivered a eulogy, “Reb Avraham, ir veist duch as ven ir Mr. Astorre Mayer’s mother had just tying it in with a powerful message redt, veist men duch as ir zaint mainer passed away. about the campaign of Mihu Yehudi, a shliach—You know that when you “Mr. Astorre Mayer was a world- which inspired many. speak, people understand that you are class philanthropist who donated “From then on, Mr. Astorre Mayer my shliach. It is not possible for you to heavily to Jewish causes, particularly became very involved in the campaign, speak independently; they will assume in Eretz Yisroel. My father, who had a making much effort to change the that it’s coming from me.” very warm relationship with him, had policy, some that are still unknown When Reb Yosef Parshan got been thinking for some time about until today.” married in Manhattan in 5725*, the Rebbe said to Reb Avraham that if he was not an avel then (after Rebbetzin Chana's passing 10 months earlier) he A Complicated Wedding would have come to the wedding, but During kos shel bracha of Motzei Shavuos 5735*, as Reb Avraham since he can’t come himself, the Rebbe received wine from the Rebbe, the Rebbe asked him if he was planning said “I’m sending my representative.” on going to Eretz Yisroel. He spontaneously answered, “Yes,” so the Rabbi Hodakov came as the Rebbe’s Rebbe gave him a bottle of mashke and said, “You’re probably going to the shliach to the wedding and he brought wedding.” along a letter from the Rebbe as well. Reb Avraham was unsure who the Rebbe was referring to, but he soon realized that Rabbi Dovid Shalom Pape, a former professor who had Presents for the Rebbe become a baal teshuvah, was scheduled to get married a few days later in Reb Avraham’s grandson, Reb Eretz Yisroel. Mayer Parshan, relates: “Each Yud- “Reb Avraham happened to be on the same flight as my parents,” Reb Aleph Nissan, my grandfather would Dovid Shalom relates. “I was in Kfar Chabad and there was no way for my bring the Rebbe a check for the sum parents to reach me or know where I was. I had no idea when they were of the Rebbe’s age, multiplied by a arriving. Reb Avraham sent a taxi driver to pick me up and bring me to thousand. I know this, because one Tel Aviv where my parents were staying. year he was not in New York and he “My father was a businessman from Toronto while the kallah came asked me to give it on his behalf. from the Sephardic community in . Understandably, there were “He would also think of original differences between the family backgrounds and no one was running the gifts to bring the Rebbe each year. wedding. Reb Avraham took on the mission of ensuring that everything “In 5737*, in honor of the Rebbe’s would proceed calmly and joyfully. With his charm and ahavas Yisroel, he 75th birthday, he brought the Rebbe made sure everyone felt comfortable and that nobody was left out or hurt. a bound set of all the sichos bilti “He even went around Kfar Chabad, telling people that the Rebbe mugah, the predecessor of the Sichos sent mashke for the wedding and brought along a number of prominent Kodesh set. This was the first time Chassidim. all the Rebbe’s sichos were bound and “That same night, another baal teshuvah was getting married in Chaifa presented to the Rebbe as a set. He and when Reb Avraham heard about this, he right away ordered a bus and also did this to see if the Rebbe would arranged for a big group of bochurim to travel to the wedding. agree to the publishing of sichos which “It didn’t end there. Later, when we came to America, Reb Avraham weren’t mugah.” introduced us to his family, and we are close friends until this day. Reb Avraham even built a private “He fulfilled the Rebbe’s shlichus with utmost devotion!” mikvah for the Rebbe across the street from the Rebbe’s home, but to reasons

ADAR II 5779 z 56 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 5725-1965, 5737-1977, 5735-1975 YOSSI MELAMED VIA JEM 23268 MELAMED YOSSI REB AVRAHAM PRESENTS THE REBBE WITH THE BOUND HANOCHOS OF THE SICHOS IN HONOR OF THE REBBE’S 75TH BIRTHDAY, YUD ALEPH NISSAN 5737.

unbeknown to us, the Rebbe never made use of it. For Eternity “At one point my father looked In the 5720s*, Reb Avraham brought two girls closer to Yiddishkeit. in to purchasing life insurance,” Reb One girl’s parents were very antagonistic to their daughter’s new path and Yosef relates, “but due to his age and constantly looked for ways to bother Reb Avraham. condition of health, he couldn’t find a He mentioned the issue in yechidus, and the Rebbe told him to ignore suitable policy. He was disappointed the problems. “You didn’t just bring two girls to Yiddishkeit; you brought and told this to the Rebbe. The Rebbe all their future generations as well...” blessed him that he will be well and have arichus yomim. “It was then that he began the attack during hakafos. He was brought “The following morning,” Reb tradition of buying maftirfor the out of 770 and placed near one of the Mayer says, “my grandfather stood Rebbe in 770. Previously, maftirhad houses on Eastern Parkway where near the Rebbe’s house. When the never been auctioned, because it was Hatzalah worked on stabilizing his Rebbe saw my grandfather, he said to reserved for the Rebbe. He initiated a condition. As the Rebbe was walking him ‘The agmas nefesh of yesterday custom where someone could acquire home after hakafos, he stood in front should be enough for your entire life.’” the merit of the Rebbe’s maftir, and of the house where Reb Dov was lying “After Yom Tov,” continues Reb thus bring revenue to 770 as well. He and inquired about his situation. The Yosef, “at kos shel bracha, my father would buy the maftirfor the Rebbe, Rebbe remained there for some 45 approached the Rebbe. Handing spending the money that would have minutes until they were finally able the Rebbe a big check, he asked for gone to the insurance on a more to stabilize Reb Dov’s condition and a bracha that my brother should be wor t hy c aus e.” bring him to the hospital. The Rebbe well. The Rebbe tightened his gartel On Shemini Atzeres 5734*, Reb only went home for seudas Yom Tov and lifted his hands to his shoulders Avraham’s son Reb Dov had a heart after the ambulance left. and said, ‘Af der zun hot ir nit vos tzu

ADAR II 5779 5737-1977, 5734-1973, 5720S-1960S A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 57 daigenen—you don’t need to worry “...YOU DON’T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT YOUR SON; ALAI about your son; alai v’al tzavari—I guarantee that he will be well.’” V’AL TZAVARI—I GUARANTEE THAT HE WILL BE WELL.” A Switch After the Six Day War, Chabad retook control of the Tzemach Tzedek Shul in the Old City of Yerushalayim, but an individual had settled in on the top floor of the shul, and his behavior was unbefitting of the holy site. A battle began to evict him from the premises. However, that proved to be very difficult on a legal basis and the story began to drag out in courts and in the newspapers. Needless to say, the Rebbe was very unhappy with the state of affairs. “When my grandfather saw the situation,” says Reb Mayer, “he brought the man to his own personal house that he had acquired in the Old City.2 It was in a better location, worth more money, and in general, had superior living conditions. Today, that home would be worth many millions. “My grandfather offered him a trade off; he could have the house, if he relinquished control over Tzemach Tzedek. The individual agreed, and they went right away to a lawyer to make the exchange. As soon as he arrived back in America, he went to the Rebbe, showed the papers and informed the Rebbe about the trade...” LEVI FREIDIN VIA JEM 21787 That was Reb Avraham; whenever REB AVRAHAM LEARNS WITH REB SIMCHA GORODETZKY, WHILE WAITING FOR THE REBBE’S FARBRENGEN the Rebbe had agmas nefesh, he TO BEGIN, VOV TISHREI 5738*. jumped into the fray. Business Advice Chasan Torah Reb Avraham had vast real estate Reb Mayer Parshan relates: “In 5734*, after Reb Shmuel Levitin passed dealings in the outskirts of Toronto, away, the gabbaim weren’t sure who should get chasan Torah, which had and at one point decided to expand his customarily been his aliyah. The Rebbe instructed that my grandfather business by buying large tracts of land should get the aliyah.” in Houston, Texas. When he informed the Rebbe about the sale, the Rebbe enterprise to be invested in. He sold share of a property they owned in מי שהניח לו אביו מעות הרבה ורוצה“ ,wrote If the properties, and shortly afterwards the outskirts of Toronto. Although he—לאבדן... ישכור פועלים ואל ישב עמהן you want to waste your inheritance… the Houston market crashed... generally didn’t want to bother the hire workers and leave them on their On a different occasion, Reb Rebbe regarding business advice, he ow n ,” 3 implying that it was not a good Avraham’s partner offered to buy his

ADAR II 5779 z 58 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 5734-1974, 5738-1977 did ask the Rebbe in this instance and His home the Rebbe said to refuse the offer. was also a center A month later, the partner offered for hafatzas a larger sum, and this time, the Rebbe hamaayanos. told him to counter-offer with a very Each morning, high price. The Rebbe also told him to he hosted stipulate that the offer stood only until shiurim in Rosh Hashanah. Gemara and That Erev Rosh Hashanah, the halacha, often partner came to his home ready to geared towards pay the full price. As it turned out, academics and a company was planning a massive intellectuals project in the area, and this plot of who weren’t yet land was crucial for their plans. They fully dedicated were willing to pay any sum to obtain to Torah and it. mitzvos. Many A third story: of his attendees The Rebbe had once advised made significant Reb Avraham that as a general rule, strides in their he should never sell a property Yiddishkeit, and without improving it somewhat, so some became THE LETTER THE REBBE SENT TO REB AVRAHAM’S DOCTOR. that it would always sell at a profit. full baalei Despite this piece of advice, during teshuvah. one yechidus Reb Avraham asked In 5746*, Reb Avraham had been mekarev the the Rebbe if he should sell a specific the Rebbe encouraged the opening of doctor, and in the course of coming property even though he hadn’t many new Batei Chabad. One of Reb closer to Yiddishkeit, the doctor wrote improved it and the Rebbe rejected the Avraham’s last donations was towards the Rebbe a letter and mentioned him idea. the establishment of 18 new Batei in it. The Rebbe responded in a very After the yechidus, Rabbi Hodakov Chabad in Eretz Yisroel. special way: called him to his office and informed The sefarim trial also took place “I am most gratified to note the him that the Rebbe had instructed at the same time period. Seeing the personal attention and concern you that he recieve a loan of $50,000 for Rebbe’s agmas nefesh, Reb Avraham have shown towards your patient,” the a period of six months, obviously got involved in a certain factor of the Rebbe wrote. “Our mutual friend is without interest. case. He wrote to the Rebbe about truly an outstanding person who lives “If you are asking about selling a it, and said that this was his “etzba by the Torah, and particularly, by the property,” Rabbi Hodakov explained, ketana, little finger,” his little part. great principal of the Torah, v’ahav ta “you’re obviously in need of liquid The Rebbe responded: l’reacha kamocha.” • “באצבע קטנה?! ”.assets Reb Avraham passed away on 11 הרי עושה הנ“ל בכל לבבך וגונ“ר ]וגורם נחת Iyar 5746*-, leaving a beautiful family רוח[ באין ערוך מאצבע קטנה. Final Endeavors .of Chassidim and shluchim אזכיר עה“צ” Reb Avraham was known for his exemplary ahavas Yisroel. His home “A small finger? had an entire floor dedicated to 1. Taken from the video recording. A full “You have done this ‘with all your video of the farbrengen of Yud Shevat 5735* hachnasas orchim, where he hosted heart,’ and have caused infinitely more was released by JEM. See an article about the countless guests, ranging from the nachas than a little finger. farbrengen in Derher Shevat, Leben Mitten Rebbe’n 5776. most prominent rabbanim and “I will mention it at the Tziyon.” 2. This property was granted to Reb Avraham Poilisher Rebbes from Eretz Yisroel, to The Rebbe’s love and appreciation destitute vagabonds. Some individuals at a very low price by the Israeli government for Reb Avraham is expressed as appreciation for projects that he had simply showed up and stayed in his profoundly in a letter the Rebbe wrote generously funded. home for years at a time. to his doctor, who treated him in his 3. A quote from Bava Metzia 29b. final years.

ADAR II 5779 5746-1986, 5746-1986 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 59