Dedicated by Rabbi Berel and Mrs. Devorah Leah Levertov and family In honor of The Rebbe’s community in Santa Fe, New Mexico 16 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER A Friend of Every Jew REB PINCHAS TODRUS (“PINYE”) ALTHOIS SIVAN 5775 | 17 “What do you expect? I should look into Sefer Yetzira and create a new person?” Perhaps these words, said by the Rebbe lamenting the void left by Reb Pinye Althois shortly after his passing, describe this extraordinary personality most accurately. He was in fact irreplaceable. An activist of the greatest stature, with a sharp and witty personality, who, while skillfully winning over the hearts of government officials, remained a pleasant and friendly man to every passerby he encountered in the street. .ידידנו וידיד כל איש מישראלThe story of a man whom the Rebbe referred to as Reb Pinchas Todrus Althois (“Pinye” as The hanhala felt that his middos were not will have to take you home!” he was affectionately known) was born refined and disapproved of his conduct Pinye was certain that his father would on 4 Kislev, 5658, in the city of Nikolayev, among friends, and they decided to take take his side of the argument and a famous chassidic stronghold in the action to train the young boy. One day, confidently continued to refuse to Ukraine, where many chassidishe families Pinye was approached by the mashgiach comply. lived; the city where the Rebbe was born. and was notified that he was expelled When Reb Binyomin arrived in Lubavitch We learn of the nature of Reb Pinye’s from yeshiva. “What?” the boy protested. “But I haven’t done anything wrong lately for Shavuos, Pinye was shocked when he chassidishe education from an anecdote told his son to listen to the hanhala. Not he would relate later on in life. Whenever to warrant such a punishment!” The mashgiach was adamant in his decision having any other choice, he begrudgingly a chossid would return to Nikolayev went to the younger class. from a visit in Lubavitch, local chassidim and Pinye understood that he had no would ask him excitedly, “What was the choice but to go to the menahel of the Two days later, the mashgiach told Pinye dibbur hamaschil of the maamor delivered yeshiva, the Frierdiker Rebbe (known that he could join his friends in the older by the Rebbe?” And they would attempt then as the Rebbe’s son). Standing outside class. Bewildered, Pinye approached his to hear some words of Chassidus. Pinye’s the door of his office, Pinye cried bitterly father. “What do they want from me?” he father, Reb Binyomin, on the other until the Frierdiker Rebbe opened the cried. “Why are they playing these games hand, would first ask, “How is the Rebbe door, and he told over his story. “Go back with me here?” to the mashgiach,” the Frierdiker Rebbe feeling?” or “Whatever happened to the Reb Binyomin explained to his son, “You said, “and tell him that I said he should leak in the Rebbe’s home? Was that taken think a bit too much of yourself, coming allow you to return to yeshiva.” care of?” Only afterwards did he inquire from Nikolayev, and the hanhala needs about the chassidus the Rebbe said. After Pesach, a new zman began at the to put you in your place. If you listen At the young age of twelve, Pinye was yeshiva and Pinye was told he would have to them and continue in the way they sent to study in Tomchei Tmimim to stay back in the old class while all his teach you, you will grow to be proper Lubavitch. Hailing from Nikolayev and friends went up one level. Pinye refused chossid…” to hear of it and joined his friends in being a member of the famous Althois In the Ha’Ach newsletter distributed in their new class, only to be sent out family, which enjoyed a close relationship Lubavitch, there is a newsflash about immediately by the teacher. Still, Pinye with beis horav, the young Pinye felt a bit Pinye’s bar mitzvah, noting that he refused to be downgraded and went into too comfortable in his new surroundings delivered a fine drosha, explaining the the zal to learn on his own. and displayed his mischievous character weekly parsha and the mitzvah of tefillin quite freely. “Your father will be here soon for according to Chassidus. Shavuos,” the mashgiach told Pinye. “He 18 | A CHASSIDISHER DERHER After returning home to Leningrad, the When the Frierdiker Rebbe actually left UNDER COMMUNISM Frierdiker Rebbe resided in suburban Russia at the end of Tishrei 5688, many The Frierdiker Rebbe’s nesius began at a Malakhovka (near Moscow) for six chassidim came to see him off at the train difficult time for Russian Jewry. Much weeks. It was there that he decided to station in Leningrad. Some, including has been written about the Frierdiker leave Russia. Reb Pinye, were actually allowed on Rebbe’s activities to uphold Yiddishkeit Many years later, in 5718 while sitting the train to accompany him for the first under the rule of the anti-religious Soviet at a yom tov meal with the Rebbe in few stops until the border. Reb Pinye government, resulting in his eventual the Frierdiker Rebbe’s apartment, Reb watched as the Frierdiker Rebbe penned arrest in 5687. Pinye related a conversation he had with a letter to all of anash who would remain Reb Pinye was one of those who stood at the Frierdiker Rebbe in Leningrad, just stranded in Russia (see Derher Magazine, his side, fulfilling dangerous missions on before he took leave of Russia: Tammuz-5772), and he then told Reb the Frierdiker Rebbe’s behalf and at times Pinye, “I write this letter from my heart, “A short while before the Frierdiker with my whole heart!” acting as his personal secretary. Rebbe left Russia, I accompanied him in a A likable person by nature, Reb Pinye had wagon to a nearby river where he toiveled. At that point, Reb Pinye told the friendly relationships with members of On our way back, I asked him, ‘With Frierdiker Rebbe that he felt bewildered. the Jewish “Joint” organization, especially whom do you leave all the people on There are those chassidim who would Dr. Joseph Rosen, director of the Joint your ship?’ [I.e. What will be with all the “live” from the Chassidus they learn. distribution in Russia at the time. chassidim being left behind in Russia?] Others would draw inspiration from their The Frierdiker Rebbe replied: ‘My lengthy davening. “I, on the other hand,” When the Frierdiker Rebbe was Reb Pinye bemoaned, “have nothing else ultimately arrested, Reb Pinye sat in the decision to leave Russia was made while I was in Malakhovka. I have thought in my life other than being in the Rebbe’s Frierdiker Rebbe’s home each and every presence. How will I survive?” day. He was the one to receive the news this decision through, down to the very when Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka called last detail, and I thought about each and The Frierdiker Rebbe then promised Reb .”עמי במחיצתי“ from Kostroma, notifying the household every individual as well. Just as Hashem Pinye that he would be that the Frierdiker Rebbe was freed. has acted with me in a supernatural Nine years later, Reb Pinye managed to Naturally, he and the other chassidim in manner until now, He will help us see leave Russia for Eretz Yisroel with his the vicinity took to celebration, dancing one another in the future as well, in a family. The story is told that Reb Pinye late into the night. supernatural manner.’” randomly met Kalinin, the president PHOTO: KEHOT PUBLICATION SOCIETY PUBLICATION KEHOT PHOTO: REB PINYE (SITTING, CENTER) LISTENS AS THE THE REBBE DELIVERS A SICHA AT THE KABOLAS PONIM OF HIS SON. CHANUKAH 5714. SIVAN 5775 | 19 of Russia at the time, in the streets of to the administration of Agudas Chabad, Most notably, grand Yud-Tes Kislev Moscow and asked him to help with a the Frierdiker Rebbe explains that the farbrengens were arranged on the largest permit to leave. Impressed by Reb Pinye’s position of secretary includes overseeing possible scale, attended by scores of character, Kalinin decided on the spot all the activities of the organization and important guests and bringing about a that he would help him. ensuring that everything is carried out great kiddush Hashem for all to see. 3 promptly and properly. More than anything else, Reb Pinye BUILDING NEW The Frierdiker Rebbe himself proposed devoted his entire being to “building” GROUNDS the salary for the secretary, insisting Chabad in Eretz Yisroel; no less in the more than once that he must be paid figurative sense than in the practical. The On 16 Cheshvan, 5697, the Althois family well, freeing him from all worries, many friendships he forged with people settled in Eretz Yisroel. ensuring that he would be able to in high places of government, and the In 5701, the Frierdiker Rebbe founded dedicate himself entirely to his important connections he maintained with officials, Agudas Chassidei Chabad in Eretz work. allowed him to pull strings wherever they Yisroel, to serve as the umbrella Thus began a life-long career of a were needed, and he utilized them to the organization of Chabad in the land, and dedicated Chabad activist in Eretz fullest possible extent. to unite all of anash residing there at the Yisroel, who worked tirelessly 2 time. to see to it that Chabad in In 5704, Reb Pinye was appointed by the Holy Land would have a the Frierdiker Rebbe to serve as the prestigious presence in every secretary of Agudas Chabad.