Rabbi Yehuda Leib Groner

Rabbi Yehuda Leib Groner (8 Iyar 5691 – 14 Nissan 5780 / May 16, 1931 – April 8, 2020) was one of the Rebbe's secretaries, a member of the Otzar HaChassidim editorial board, and a member of the management of Kupat Rabbeinu.

Life History

Rabbi Yehuda Leib Groner was born on 8 Iyar 5691 to Rabbi Mordechai Avraham Yeshaya Groner and Menucha Rachel Groner. His mother was a descendant of the Alter Rebbe. He studied in the cheder of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim in New York. In his childhood, he merited great closeness from the Frierdiker Rebbe.

In 5704 (1944), Rabbi Groner celebrated his bar mitzvah, in which the Rebbe participated and even spoke for about an hour and twenty minutes. At the conclusion, the Rebbe turned to Rabbi Groner and asked him: "Leibel, did you understand what was discussed?" Rabbi Groner was silent, and the Rebbe responded: "Don't be embarrassed, many of those standing nearby didn't understand either." As a young man, he studied at the Central Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim in New York. Rabbi Groner was among the shluchim who founded Yeshivas Achei Tmimim in Chicago.

In the month of Tishrei 5709 (1948), the Rebbe approached Rabbi Groner and asked if he was interested in helping him in his free time. Rabbi Groner accepted the offer and initially began assisting the Rebbe with administrative matters and participated in editing books published by Kehot Publication Society, which was under the Rebbe's management at that time. Over time, his work in the Rebbe's secretariat expanded.

Rabbi Groner with the Rebbe

After the passing of the Frierdiker Rebbe, the Rebbe approached him and said, "From now on, the work will be completely different." During the acceptance of leadership ceremony, the Rebbe asked Rabbi Groner to stand near him during the farbrengen in case he needed something.

On 15 Elul 5714 (1954), he married Mrs. Yehudit, daughter of Rabbi Tzemach Gurevitch, and merited that the Rebbe arranged kiddushin for him at his wedding. After his wedding, he continued his work in the secretariat. In later years, the transfer of personal letters to the Rebbe and delivery of responses from the Rebbe was done by Rabbi Groner and his secretariat colleague Rabbi Yerachmiel Binyamin Klein.

Starting from the health event that the Rebbe experienced in 5738 (1978), his work expanded, and from then on he became the closest secretary. It is told that Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka told him that from now on, he bears the responsibility to care for the Rebbe's health.

During the distribution of the Tanya on 11 Nissan 5744 (1984), the Rebbe looked for him, referring to him as "Where is 'mein general'" (my general).

In 5753 (1993), after the passing of secretary Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Eizik Chadakov, the Rebbe approved his appointment along with other secretariat members as board members of the institutions Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, Machne Israel, and Kehot. In 5754 (1994), the Rebbe approved the establishment of Kupat Rabbeinu, and his signature appears at the top of the signatories for opening the organization.

He was among the secretaries who prominently supported activities to bring and publicize Moshiach, including voting and stating that this is the Rebbe. In 5753 (1993), he conveyed the Rebbe's approval for printing the title "Melech HaMoshiach" after his name in the book "Besuras HaGeulah." After 3 Tammuz 5754 (1994), he supported the belief in the eternal life of the Rebbe, but nevertheless opposed writing the title "Shlita" for the Rebbe in print.

In his later years, he served as a mashpia in the synagogue "Anshei Lubavitch Kehillas Chassidim" (also known as "Baumgarten Shul") on Carroll Street in the Crown Heights neighborhood.

He passed away on Erev Pesach 5780 (2020) after contracting the coronavirus.

Torah Editing

Throughout all his years, he engaged in Torah editing and writing alongside his work in the Rebbe's secretariat. This began when the workload on the Rebbe, the chief editor of Otzar HaChassidim publications, increased, and the Rebbe assigned him to participate in editing. In later years, as the secretariat work intensified, others replaced him in this role, and from 5738 (1978) he almost completely ceased this work.

Among the books he edited and prepared for printing:

• Sefer HaMinhagim Chabad - Published by Kehot Publication Society under the Rebbe's instruction. Compiled and edited in 5726 (1966) together with Rabbi Menachem Zev Greenglass.
• Maggid Devarav L'Yaakov
• Kesser Shem Tov
• Ohr HaTorah
• Maamarei Admur HaZaken
• Shalshelet HaYachas
• Additions to Notes and References for Likkutei Torah
• Notes and References for the Siddur with Dach

He was privileged that the Rebbe reviewed and corrected many of his works before they were published.

Additionally, he regularly published responses and comments on Torah topics appearing in Chabad Chassidic publications, primarily on matters of halacha and minhag. These included the Kfar Chabad weekly, Beit Moshiach weekly, Kovtzei Ha'arot U'biurim collections, Hiskaserut weekly, and others.

In the Chambers of Your Torah

Throughout the years, he asked the Rebbe many Torah questions, both regarding matters discussed in the holy sichos, topics that arose during his studies, and matters related to his work editing various Torah publications as instructed by the Rebbe. These correspondences were preserved in a special archive, which began to be published after his passing with additional notes and expansions that help understand the discussed topics and the ideas emerging from the Rebbe's corrections and responses on the pages he submitted.

Toward 5 Tevet 5783 (2023), a series of books began to be published under the name "In the Chambers of Your Torah," with the planned series intended to include four volumes: two volumes on Rashi's commentary (Vol. 1 - Bereishit-Shemot, Vol. 2 - Vayikra-Devarim), and two additional volumes dealing with other topics. As of 5784 (2024), the first two volumes have been published.

The chief editor of the series is Rabbi David Olidort.

His Family

• His son, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Groner - the Rebbe's emissary in North and South Carolina and a member of Agudas Chassidei Chabad.
• His son, Rabbi Yisrael Menachem Mendel Groner - spiritual mentor and supervisor in Tomchei Tmimim Kiryat Gat.
• His son, R' Aharon Groner - Monsey
• His son-in-law, R' Yisrael Zandhaus, Crown Heights.
• His son-in-law, Rabbi Levi Tenenbaum - spiritual mentor in Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Chovevei Torah and shofar blower for several years during the tekios at 770.
• His son-in-law, R' Yisrael Levin.
• His son-in-law, R' Yisrael Vilhelm.

Further Reading

• Stories from the Rebbe's Room, Menachem Zigelboim, 5769 (2009).
• Sunrise, correspondence written by Rabbi Yehuda Leib Groner during the period of accepting the leadership, Kfar Chabad Weekly issue 1843 page 45
• The Secretary, Kfar Chabad Weekly issue 1854 dedicated entirely to Rabbi Groner
• Before and Within the Holy Inner Sanctum, 'Ki Karov' issue 57 Parshat Bo 5781 (2021) page 4
• Stories from the Lower Garden of Eden, interview with Secretary Rabbi Groner, Beit Moshiach Weekly issue 1199 page 38, Stories from the Upper Garden of Eden, second part of the interview, issue 1200 page 16
• The Secretary, Malchut HaKeter series of 2 books (as of 5785/2025) about Rabbi Groner and stories from his personal diary.

External Links

• Enormous Loss: Secretary Rabbi Yehuda Leib Groner of blessed memory -
• Documentation of the life of Secretary Rabbi Yehuda Leib Groner of blessed memory • Part 1 -
• "The Rebbe asked me: Why do they say he is the Moshiach?" -
• The Rebbe's Secretary: Continue with full strength in publicizing the identity of Moshiach (from the program Vahabita Niflaot)
• Burning Faith • Rabbi Groner in an interview: "The Rebbe sees and knows everything" -
• You are emissaries to demand the Redemption - Rabbi Groner's words at the funeral of the murdered R' Gabriel Noach and Rivka Holtzberg -
• Kol Yisrael: Farbrengen with Rabbi Groner -
• Historical revelations about the moments of passing, Rabbi Groner's memories of the events of 10 Shevat 5710 (1950), from Beit Moshiach Weekly
• 33 years to Rosh Chodesh Kislev ● Secretary's Diaries -
• How will we pass by the Rebbe? ● Farbrengen -
• The First Year After the Passing of Admor the Rayatz, chapter from Rabbi Groner's book
• Moving Torah scroll dedication in memory of Secretary Rabbi Groner of blessed memory
• Avraham Reinitz, Stories from the Lower Garden of Eden, interview with Rabbi Groner from Beit Moshiach Weekly on Chabad Info website, 14 Nissan 5780 (2020)
• The Rebbe's Personal Secretary: The Rebbe cares that everyone prays at length! • Exclusive video, on the website 'Redemptive Moisture'