Chaim Hillel Azimov
Rabbi Chaim Hillel Azimov (15 Cheshvan 5673 - 29 Iyar 5741) was a Chabad chassid who served as a shliach of the Rebbe in Paris, France, and managed the local Chabad Talmud Torah for thirty years.
Life History[edit | edit source]
Born on 15 Cheshvan 5673 in the town of Rakshik to Mrs. Hada Reizel and Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh Azimov, who was among the well-known workers among Chabad chassidim in Russia and a graduate of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch.
At the age of two, he lost his mother, and four years later, when he was only six years old, he also lost his father. His grandfather, Reb Moshe Nissan Azimov, took him under his care and raised him in his home. In 5685, he began traveling between the various branches of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim in Nevel, Polotsk, Kremenchug, Kharkov, Vitebsk, Leningrad, and Ramen. He completed his yeshiva studies in 5691.
In 5695, his grandmother passed away, and shortly afterward his grandfather as well. He was adopted by his uncle, Rabbi Yechiel Yosef Rivkin, who also taught him a trade from which he could earn a living throughout his years in Russia until he arrived in Paris.
In 5707, he successfully escaped across the Russian borders as part of the great escape of Chabad chassidim, and in 5708, under the direction of the Frierdiker Rebbe, he arrived in Paris where he began establishing educational institutions al taharas hakodesh (in the spirit of holiness).
He married Rebbetzin Mrs. Risha, daughter of Reb Shmuel Pevzner.
He served as secretary of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim in Brunoy, and for thirty years managed the Talmud Torah 'Cheder Lubavitch' in Paris and its branches in the surrounding areas. He also worked energetically in activities to spread Yiddishkeit among families and youth, and connected many Jews with the Rebbe, while maintaining regular correspondence with the Rebbe.
He was a precise baal korei (Torah reader) with a pleasant melody, and would read regularly in the Anash synagogue.
He passed away on 29 Iyar 5741 and was buried on Har HaZeisim in Jerusalem.
His Family[edit | edit source]
- His daughter Hada Reizel, wife of Rabbi Yehuda Leib Raskin - one of the Rebbe's shluchim to Morocco
- His daughter Chaya Sarah, wife of Rabbi Adin Even-Israel (Steinsaltz) - rabbi of the Tzemach Tzedek synagogue in Jerusalem, philosopher, lecturer, and author of many books
- His son, Rabbi Shmuel (Mule) Azimov - the Rebbe's shliach to Paris
- His son, Rabbi Moshe Nissan Azimov - the Rebbe's shliach to Jerusalem
- His daughter Esther Hadassah, wife of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Matusof - the Rebbe's shliach to Toulouse
- His daughter Devorah, wife of Rabbi Shmuel Tzvi Markowitz
- His daughter Sterna, wife of Rabbi Chaim Yitzchak Shanovitch