Rebbetzin Rivka

Rebbetzin Rivka's Ohel

Rebbetzin Rivka (5593/5595 [1833/1835] - 10 Shevat 5674 [1914]), was the second wife of the Rebbe Maharash. She managed the physical aspects of the Lubavitch court. Many stories written by her grandson, the Rebbe Rayatz, were heard from her. When Tomchei Temimim of Lubavitch was established, she dedicated herself to setting up the yeshiva kitchen and dormitory rooms.

Early Years

She was born to her father Reb Aharon Alexandrov of Shklov and her mother Rebbetzin Chaya Sarah Alexandrov Zaslavsky, the daughter of the Mitteler Rebbe, in the year 5593 [1833] or on 10 Cheshvan 5595 [1835] in the town of Lubavitch.

On 24 Iyar 5597 [1837], her father Reb Aharon Alexandrov passed away.

In her youth, she heard many stories about our Rebbeim from her mother, and even received from her a book written in her father's handwriting containing stories he had heard.

In the year 5603 [1843], her mother married Reb Aharon Zaslavsky, son of Rebbetzin Freida, who raised her for the next three years. Later, she expressed that she "remembers him fondly."

In 5605 [1845], her mother became ill and on 10 Adar 5606 [1846] passed away, an event that deeply affected her daughters. For the next six months, they lived with relatives, and in the month of Menachem Av 5606 [1846], their grandmother, Rebbetzin Sheina, took her and her sister Tzivya Gittel to Lubavitch and raised them in her home.

Shidduch and Marriage

On 8 Sivan 5608 [1848], the Rebbe Maharash married his wife Rebbetzin Shterna Schneerson, daughter of Rabbi Chaim Shneur Zalman Schneerson (son of the Tzemach Tzedek), but after three months Rebbetzin Shterna passed away. Following this, Rebbetzin Sheina sent a request to her son-in-law the Tzemach Tzedek, asking to match his son the Rebbe Maharash with one of her orphaned granddaughters - Rebbetzin Rivka or her older sister Tzivya Gittel. Since there were other shidduch proposals at that time, this suggestion was not implemented.

In the year 5609 [1849], a Beis Din of three people was convened: Rabbi Avraham HaCohen - the rabbi of Lubavitch, Rabbi Zalman Minavitch, and Rabbi Yehuda Leib Schneerson (son of the Tzemach Tzedek), to discuss the matter of the shidduch with the sisters.

During the discussions, the Rebbe Maharash remembered that when he was three years old, he said he would take the child Rivka as his wife, and those present laughed at him. Now he remembered this incident and thought it was not without reason, but he was afraid to take her out of respect for her older sister.

Therefore, the Beis Din ruled that they should consider the proposal of the sisters but did not decide which one. When the Tzemach Tzedek learned of the Beis Din's decision, he was very pleased. He supported the suggestion and spoke highly of their father, Reb Aharon.

After several months, the Beis Din convened again, and it was decided that because of the incident that occurred in their childhood, the Rebbe Maharash and the Rebbetzin should marry each other, without concern for the issue of seniority. Rebbetzin Rivka was then 15 or 13 years old.

In the month of Nissan 5610 [1850], Reb Avraham HaCohen came to Rebbetzin Sheina's house and told her that the Beis Din had ruled to take the younger Rivka. The Tzemach Tzedek called the older sister Tzivya Gittel to him and promised that he would take care of her like a father to his daughter. He also asked if she forgave them, and she replied affirmatively. That same evening, the engagement between Rebbetzin Rivka and the Rebbe Maharash took place with great celebration and splendor.

On Thursday, 11 Nissan 5610 [1850], the wedding of the Rebbe Maharash and Rebbetzin Rivka was held with great glory and majesty.

Manager of the 'Court'

As is known, the Mitteler Rebbe (Middle Rebbe) was detached from materiality, to the extent that he did not recognize the shape of a coin. Throughout the years, the financial and technical affairs of the Chabad Chassidic court in Lubavitch were managed by Rebbetzin Sheina.

Together with her, the 'court' was managed by her daughter, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka (wife of the Tzemach Tzedek Rebbe). After the passing of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka on 8 Teves 5621 (1861), the Tzemach Tzedek Rebbe secluded himself in his room and appointed his young daughter-in-law, Rebbetzin Rivka, to manage the material aspects of the court.

In the writings of the Lubavitcher Rebbes and Chassidim, there are many descriptions of her management methods of the court.

Woman of Charity and Kindness

This is how her grandson, the Frierdiker Rebbe (Previous Rebbe), describes her acts of kindness:

"She was renowned as a great philanthropist whose goodness of heart cannot be measured. The Rebbe Maharash was the only one of the Lubavitcher Rebbes who lived in wealth, but the more he gave her, the less she had, as she would distribute everything to those in need. When she did not have the courage to ask for money from her husband, she would pawn her jewelry and use the money she received for charity."

Stories of her charitable deeds and kindness were recounted by the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach on several occasions.

Bearer of Traditions

From her early childhood, the Rebbetzin collected various stories, mostly about the Lubavitcher Rebbes. She told these stories to the Frierdiker Rebbe, and from them came the books Sefer HaZichronos, Likkutei Dibburim, Sefer HaSichos - Frierdiker Rebbe, and many more. Thousands of these stories were not published and are being printed in the series "Reshimos HaYoman - Frierdiker Rebbe."

On Friday nights, women from all over Lubavitch would come to her, and she would read to them from Tze'ena U'Re'ena, Yosippon, and She'eris Yisroel.

After the Passing of the Rebbe Maharash

On the eve of 29 Elul 5643 (1883), the Rebbe Maharash came to the Rebbetzin and said a few words to her. The Rebbetzin understood that in that year he would pass away from this world and asked what would happen to the small children. The Rebbe Maharash replied: 'I will ascend 32 steps upward, and you will ascend 32 steps downward.' These were the 32 years that the Rebbetzin continued to live after his passing until the winter of 5674 (1914) when she passed away.

After the passing of the Rebbe Maharash, the Rebbetzin continued to live in his apartment in the Lubavitch courtyard.

The Rebbe Rashab would visit her daily, and many things he would customarily do in her apartment, such as baking matzos.

Many of the Temimim students of Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch would eat at her table.

In Tomchei Temimim

Immediately after the establishment of Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch on the 15th of Elul 5657 (1897), the Rebbetzin devoted herself to the yeshiva. She worked actively toward setting up the kitchen and arranging the rooms. She would frequently inquire about the condition and status of each student. She personally established the yeshiva's kitchen, dedicating several rooms from her private home for this purpose.

Her relationship with the yeshiva students was truly like that of a mother to her sons. Besides the fact that yeshiva students—especially those from abroad—would frequently eat at her home, she treated them as actual members of the household. When Tomchei Temimim yeshiva opened and the Rebbe Rashab took care of its material needs, she said to him: "Why are you worrying? Whatever we eat, they will eat as well..." She would refer to the Temimim as "di kinder" (the children).

Her Passing

In her final years, she suffered greatly from severe illnesses and traveled to health resorts to recover. Throughout this time, she spoke about passing away at the age of eighty, since the Tzemach Tzedek had blessed her with longevity, and since a tzaddik's blessing for longevity means eighty years, she would pass away at that age.

On Thursday, 9 Shevat 5674 (1914), toward evening, she began to speak and relate many stories about her father-in-law, the Tzemach Tzedek, and her husband, the Rebbe Maharash.

During the night, the Rebbe Rayatz stayed by her bedside. Meanwhile, a special telegram was sent to the Rebbe Rashab to inform him of the situation, as he was out of the country at that time.

Toward morning on 10 Shevat 5674 (1914), she asked the Rebbe Rayatz for the siddur. She recited the Shema and prayed the Shemoneh Esreh. Afterward, she placed her hands on the Rebbe's head and said "Yasher koach for your efforts." The Rebbe went to return the siddur to its place, and when he returned, he saw that she had passed away.

After her passing, the Rebbe Rayatz deliberated where to bury her—whether in the ohel of the Rebbetzins or in the Rebbe Maharash's ohel. Since the Rebbe Rashab, who was abroad at the time, was already observing Shabbat, it was not possible to consult with him. Finally, the Rebbe Rayatz decided to bury her in the Maharash's ohel, and when the Rebbe Rashab returned, he told him, "You did well."

During the funeral, the Rebbe Rayatz wept profusely and leaned on those accompanying him due to his great grief. He repeated over and over, "The crown of glory has been taken from our family." He told one of those accompanying him: "When they visit the Rebbes, they should also visit her; she knew them all."

After the funeral, one of the chassidim began to weep greatly. When asked, "Why are you crying, after all..." he replied, "Look how much the Rebbe is suffering."

In 5702 (1942), the Rebbe Rayatz established the "Beis Rivkah" institutions—a network of educational institutions for girls—named after her.

Further Reading

• Chronicles of Rebbetzin Rivkah by the Rebbe Rayatz.

Her Family

Her husband: The Rebbe Maharash

Her sons:

• Rabbi Avraham Sender
• Rabbi Shneur Zalman Aharon
• Rabbi Shalom Dov Ber
• Rabbi Chaim Moshe
• Rabbi Menachem Mendel

Her daughters:

• Rebbetzin Devorah Leah
• Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka