Chaim Yehuda (Yudel) Krinsky

Rabbi Chaim Yehuda (Yudel) Krinsky (born 15 Kislev 5694, December 3, 1933) is a member of the Rebbe's secretariat, chairman of Machne Israel, board member of Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, and secretary of Agudas Chassidei Chabad International.

Life History

Born in Boston, United States, to Rabbi Shemaya Krinsky. Following his older brothers who transferred to Chabad institutions, he too moved to Yeshivas Achei Temimim in the city, and later in 1946 to Tomchei Temimim 770. Even before the Rebbe assumed leadership, Rabbi Krinsky maintained contact with the Rebbe, who asked for his help several times regarding bringing certain Jews closer to Yiddishkeit.

In 1950, the Rebbe entered the small zal in 770 and asked which of the bochurim had a driver's license. Rabbi Yudel, who was present, said he could drive the Rebbe, and from then on became the Rebbe's driver for trips to the Ohel.

In 1956, after the massacre in Kfar Chabad, he was sent by the Rebbe to Eretz HaKodesh along with a group of shluchim to boost the residents' spirits. On 15 Tammuz 1957, he married Mrs. Devorah, daughter of Rabbi Zev Wolf Kasinitz, who was among those connected to the Frierdiker Rebbe and the Rebbe, and was an energetic activist in spreading Yiddishkeit throughout the United States.

In 1957, before his wedding, he was asked by Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Aizik Hodakov to join the Rebbe's secretariat, and began working officially on 25 Tishrei 1958. As part of his role as secretary, Rabbi Krinsky established connections with many distinguished individuals and enlisted them to support Chabad.

Additionally, he served as the Rebbe's personal driver for trips to the Ohel. The Rebbe would stay alone at his father-in-law's tzion, while Krinsky waited in the car doing office work. He was responsible for collecting panim, gifts, and money received during dollar distribution. During his years working alongside the Rebbe, he initiated dozens of projects to spread Yiddishkeit and received detailed responses from the Rebbe about them, such as Chabad booths at various international exhibitions, production of albums documenting Chabad activities, commemorative coins for Lag BaOmer parades, and additional initiatives. He maintained contact with the Rebbe's mother, Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson, and the Rebbe even designated him to her as one of three people she could turn to if needed.

During the 10 Shevat 1964 farbrengen, the Rebbe asked Rabbi Krinsky to start singing the nigun "Ach L'Elokim Domi Nafshi," saying that he was not limited by any of the matters here, and therefore he could sing. Later, the Rebbe referenced him as one who "leads me to and from the tzion of the baal hahilula."

In 1980, he established the JEM organization together with his son Rabbi Hillel Dovid Krinsky.

Rabbi Krinsky maintains a detailed journal of his years of activity with the Rebbe, and he publishes portions of it in teshuros for his descendants' simchas.

In Iyar 2022, following his efforts in returning the Schneerson Collection to the Lubavitch Library, he was banned from entering Russia along with Rabbi Shlomo Cunin and Avraham Shemtov.

Public Activities

In 1976, at the request of Rabbi Chodakov, he was appointed secretary of Agudas Chassidei Chabad. In 1989, he was appointed as a board member of Machne Israel. He was also a member of Keren Chamesh.

During the Seforim trial, he managed the campaign for Chabad Chassidus's position regarding returning the seforim to the library. In 1989, under his supervision, the "Lubavitch International" newspaper began publication, which was proofread by the Rebbe. He was also involved in furnishing the Agudas Chassidei Chabad library and acquiring seforim for the library.

After the passing of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka at the end of Shevat 1988, the Rebbe wrote his first will in which he appointed Krinsky as administrator of his property. In Elul of that same year, the Rebbe wrote another will appointing Krinsky as future head of Machne Israel together with Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Aizik Hodakov and Rabbi Nissan Mindel. In 1998, following the passing of Rabbi Nissan Mindel, Krinsky was appointed CEO in his place, and later Chairman. In practice, Rabbi Shalom Mendel Simpson served as the administrator of Machne Israel.

Initially, he served as secretary of Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, and after Rabbi Hodakov's passing, he filled his position as chairman of the organization. After 3 Tammuz 1994, when the will document written at the Rebbe's instruction in 1988 was revealed, he claimed it should not be considered since no signed will was found. During that period, a special Beis Din was established to clarify the matter as per the Rebbe's instruction, but when the rabbis requested he come to a Din Torah to clarify the claims, he refused to appear and the Beis Din ruled that the Rebbe's will presented to them and edited by the Rebbe should be considered primary, with Rabbis Shalom Mendel Simpson and Nissan Mindel heading the organization. However, the Vaad Rabonei Lubavitch ruled in his favor and supported his decision not to appear before the Beis Din. In Menachem Av 2010, by decision of the Vaad Rabonei Lubavitch, he was appointed to the executive committee of Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch.

Since 2005, there has been an ongoing legal case between him and Avraham Shemtov against the gabboim of 770 regarding the management of the main zal.

Criticism

In Tammuz 1995, following an incident where he refused to appear for a Din Torah with ZABLA and ZABLA regarding the Rebbe's will and the management of Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, Rabbis Avraham Osdoba and Yehuda Kalman Marlow of the Crown Heights Beis Din issued a letter stating he was "not compliant with din." According to Rabbi Krinsky, the Beis Din that wrote the "non-compliance" did not have three rabbis and therefore he was not obligated to appear before them. Additionally, he claimed he did not appear in accordance with the decision of some members of the Vaad Rabonei Lubavitch.

In Nissan 2010, following a dispute with other Beis Din rabbis, Rabbi Avraham Osdoba published a letter announcing that from his perspective, the Crown Heights Beis Din cancels the "non-compliance with din" letter. Others argue that according to arbitration ruling regarding the Beis Din, which states that any decision made by a single rabbi is void, his letter has no halachic validity.

For several years, Krinsky's name appeared in the American magazine "Newsweek" at the top of the list of 50 most influential Jews in the United States. In these rankings, Krinsky was called a 'leader' and "successor to the Rebbe" in the Chabad movement, and despite the publication and false title being repeated, he did not protest or clarify the facts, which was heavily criticized among Chabad Chassidim.

Family

• His wife, Mrs. Devorah - passed away on 10 Kislev 2012
• His son, Rabbi Hillel Dovid Krinsky - founder of JEM, Crown Heights
• His son, Rabbi Shemaya Krinsky - Crown Heights
• His son, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Krinsky - Crown Heights
• His son, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Krinsky - The Rebbe's Shliach in New Hampshire
• His daughter, Mrs. Sheina Beila, wife of Rabbi Yosef Baruch Friedman - Crown Heights
• His daughter, Chana, wife of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Poterpes - Crown Heights

Further Reading

• Menachem Zigelboim, "Stories from the Rebbe's Room", 2009
• "Bilchodoi" (Part One) fascinating revelations from Rabbi Krinsky in "Techayeinu" magazine issue #5. "B'shlichusei Ka Avidna" (Part Two) in issue #6. Eliezer Zaklikovsky
• "The Moment I Informed the Rebbe of the Victory", issue 1888 page 20 (Part One) "The Appeal Battle - Secrets from the Room", issue 1889 page 24 (Part Two)
• "Alongside the Rebbe in the Early Days", 1893 page 76