Simcha Elberg

Rabbi Simcha Elberg (1911 - 8 Cheshvan 1996) was the chairman of Agudas HaRabbanim (Union of Rabbis) in the United States and Canada, an author, and chief editor of the Torah journal "HaPardes." Rabbi Elberg maintained special friendly relations with the Rebbe and was close to Chabad Chassidus.

Life History

Rabbi Elberg (center) at the Rebbe's dollar distribution Born in 1911 in Warsaw to Rabbi Aharon Shimon (one of the great Skernovich Chassidim) and Gittel Elberg. In his childhood, he was educated by his grandfather (his mother's father), Rabbi Eliyahu Yehuda Lifshitz, Av Beis Din in the town of Gritza in Poland. During that period, his grandfather would include him in meetings attended by the great Torah leaders of that generation. In his youth, he studied in the first class of Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin and later became close to Rabbi Menachem Zemba and Rabbi Avraham Weinberg (author of "Reishis Bikkurim"). Simultaneously, he also studied in the kollel for exceptional students in Warsaw called "Emek Halacha," headed by Rabbi Natan Shpigelglas.

In 1936, at the age of twenty-five, he published his first book "Menachem Bikkurim" containing novellae and explanations in all areas of Torah. The book includes approbations from Rabbi Menachem Zemba, Rabbi Shpigelglas, and the Rebbe of Sokolov.

During World War II, he moved to the Slabodka Yeshiva in Kovno. As the war progressed, he was forced to leave Lithuania and arrived at the Mir Yeshiva in Shanghai. While in Shanghai, he was a frequent visitor at the homes of the Rebbe of Amshinov and the Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Shmuelevitz, who maintained a friendship with him throughout his life. After completing his studies at the yeshiva, he married the daughter of Rabbi Yehuda Zelig Slutzker, the rabbi of Harbin, China. During his stay in Shanghai, he was close to Rabbi Meir Ashkenazi, a Chabad Chassid and the rabbi of Shanghai at that time.

After his wedding, Rabbi Elberg arrived in the United States, where his Torah scholarship became well-known. He became a confidant of the great rabbis in America and the personal assistant to Rabbi Moshe Feinstein. For about fifty years, he served as an active member of Agudas HaRabbanim in the United States and Canada, and for many years was its chairman. At the same time, he was the editor of the monthly Torah journal "HaPardes," which served as a well-known platform for Torah publications by great Torah scholars. In 1995, he founded and established the Mesivta "Beis Avraham v'Emek Halacha," named after his teacher from Poland, Rabbi Avraham Weinberg.

On the eve of Sukkos 1996, Rabbi Elberg suffered a severe heart attack and his condition worsened. Two weeks later, on Wednesday, 8 Cheshvan 1996, he passed away (85) and was buried on Har HaMenuchos in Jerusalem.

His Relationship with the Rebbe

Rabbi Elberg at a farbrengen with the Rebbe in the front row. Fourth from right. (His right hand slightly raised)

Rabbi Elberg conversing with the Rebbe at a farbrengen Rabbi Elberg admired the Rebbe even before the Rebbe assumed leadership of Chabad Chassidus. In 1951, when the Rebbe accepted the leadership, Rabbi Elberg wrote about it in "HaPardes" and praised the Rebbe's greatness. Shortly afterward, he wrote about the Rebbe's vigorous activities and about him being a leader in his own right. Throughout the years, Rabbi Elberg maintained contact with the Rebbe and visited 770 frequently. He would participate in the Rebbe's major farbrengens and between talks would converse with the Rebbe about the topics discussed during the farbrengen.

Over time, Rabbi Elberg's friendly relationship with the Rebbe strengthened, and he was permitted to enter the Rebbe's room even at times not designated for yechidus (private audience). Their meetings were longer than usual. When the Rebbe stopped receiving people for yechidus, a table would be arranged in "Gan Eden HaTachton" (the corridor before the Rebbe's room in 770), where their meeting would take place. The Rebbe and Rabbi Elberg also corresponded extensively on various halachic topics, including the content of the Rebbe's talks at farbrengens.

In one of his letters, dealing with the matter of matzah ashirah (enriched matzah), he writes to the Rebbe:

"To His Honor, the Rebbe shlita of Lubavitch. In his holy talk on Motzaei Pesach which I merited to hear, the Rebbe cited the words of the Rav in Shulchan Aruch siman 462 who wrote two reasons why one cannot fulfill the obligation with matzah ashirah... I hereby present to the Rebbe my halachic article that I wrote... May the Rebbe cast his holy eyes upon it and my reward will be great. And how greatly my heart would rejoice if he would inform me of his great opinion about it... With all respect and Torah honor, one who bows before your holy majesty." — Book "Shalmei Simcha," part four, siman 10

At the Rebbe's request, he would regularly participate and speak at Torah gatherings held after the holidays at 770. In the days following the gathering, the Rebbe would inquire about the Torah novellae he presented and would even discuss them with him.

On Rosh Chodesh Nissan 1974, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein came for a yechidus with the Rebbe, and Rabbi Elberg accompanied him and witnessed the Torah discussion between them, which lasted about an hour.

In 1988, after the passing of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, Rabbi Elberg came to comfort the Rebbe. Their conversation focused on the fact that there is no mention of Abraham or Isaac eulogizing Sarah after her passing.

On 27 Teves 1991, he passed by during the dollar distribution and the Rebbe smiled at him and said: "Among all the young men?!" On that occasion, he presented the Rebbe with a new book he had published and also a "pidyon nefesh" letter with names for the Rebbe to pray for. The Rebbe spoke with him about a "Kol Koreh" (proclamation) that was issued at that time by "Agudas HaRabbanim."

Milan

In the year 5720 (1960), Rabbi Elberg visited the city of Milan and met with the Rebbe's emissary in the city, Rabbi Gershon Mendel Garelik. During the meeting, to which city dignitaries were invited, Rabbi Elberg gave a speech in which he expressed surprise about the extensive publicity surrounding the 200th anniversary of the Baal Shem Tov's passing, which fell that year. Rabbi Garelik, who knew how much the Rebbe was involved in this matter, interrupted Rabbi Elberg's speech and said to him: "If someone stood up and spoke about your father, you would protest against him, so what should I do when you spoke this way about my father?" At the end of the meal, the two rabbis parted in a tense atmosphere. Shortly afterward, Rabbi Garelik received a letter from Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Eizik Hodakov, the Rebbe's personal secretary, stating that Rabbi Elberg had described the courage of the Rebbe's emissaries with exceptional admiration.

This event greatly strengthened the connection between Rabbi Elberg and the Rebbe, and as a result, Rabbi Garelik received instructions from the Rebbe that whenever he visited New York, he should call Rabbi Elberg to inquire about his welfare.

One of Rabbi Elberg's visits to Milan was during the yeshiva break period when the students went out for activities to spread the wellsprings of Chassidus with the Mitzvah Tank ("Tankists"). While in Milan, Rabbi Elberg received instructions from the Rebbe's secretariat to speak with the students about Torah matters and even to be photographed with them.

The Rebbe's Spokesman

Rabbi Elberg's approval for the book "Yechi HaMelech" by Rabbi Wolpo Rabbi Elberg speaking at a Torah gathering at 770

Rabbi Elberg's role as editor of "HaPardes" journal was used many times to publish the Rebbe's Torah views on various topics, sometimes even by direct request from the Rebbe. In the month of Iyar 5724 (1964), 150 years after the passing of the Alter Rebbe, the Rebbe asked Rabbi Elberg to publish a special issue of "HaPardes" focusing on the Alter Rebbe, his approach, and his books. Rabbi Elberg promised to fulfill the Rebbe's request and after some time, the issue was printed.

Traveling on Israeli Ships on Shabbat

Between the years 5715-5718 (1955-1958), the Rebbe led a campaign against those who tried to permit travel on Israeli ships on Shabbat and clarified that it was forbidden according to halacha. Rabbi Elberg published the Rebbe's opinion in "HaPardes" journal, which aroused interest in the Torah world regarding the Rebbe's view on the subject. Later, he also wrote his own article on the matter, supporting the Rebbe's opinion. Among his words, he wrote: "Credit to the Lubavitcher Rebbe and may his strength be upheld for his openly expressed opinion and the position he took on this issue, which affects the souls of several thousands who use these Israeli ships."

Who is a Jew

In the month of Sivan 5730 (1970), he wrote an article in "HaPardes" on the topic of "Who is a Jew." During the 19th of Kislev farbrengen in 5746 (1985), Rabbi Elberg spoke at length with the Rebbe during the niggunim, and finally they heard the Rebbe suggest that he give an interview to Kfar Chabad magazine. In issue 221, the interview was published, dealing mainly with the danger of not amending the Law of Return regarding "Who is a Jew" and the possibility that existed then to fix it, if only there had been a genuine desire to do so.

The Integrity of the Land

During a farbrengen held on the 10th of Shevat 5736 (1976), the Rebbe chose seventy-one elders to rule that the Land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people. Rabbi Elberg was one of them, and during that farbrengen, he was also honored to deliver a halachic sermon on the topic of the integrity of the Land. On the night following the last day of Passover in 5738 (1978), the Rebbe delivered a firm talk about the security situation in the Land of Israel; among other things, he referred to the "Peace Now" movement as "the most dangerous movement for the Jewish people." Rabbi Elberg, who was present at the farbrengen and spoke with the Rebbe during it, summarized the matters for himself, and they were published in Kfar Chabad magazine.

During the Six-Day War, there was great pressure in the Land of Israel, and many residents wanted to leave the country. Rabbi Elberg published the Rebbe's opposition to fleeing from the land and wrote: "A great ray of light from the courts of Lubavitch, which in a solid and absolute statement says not to leave and not to fear, and certainly 'the guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.'"

Miscellaneous

On the 27th of Nissan 5748 (1988), Rabbi Elberg issued a letter of support for holding Lag B'Omer parades organized at the Rebbe's initiative and noted their educational benefit, as well as the fact that many Torah giants had joined and supported the parades.

Towards the completion of the Rambam cycle in 5750 (1990), he wrote a sympathetic letter about the Rebbe's Rambam study campaign.

In an article he wrote after the Gulf War in 5751 (1991), he praised the Rebbe's self-sacrifice and support for the Jewish people during the war period.

Endorsement for "Yechi HaMelech"

Rabbi Elberg also gave his endorsement to the book "Yechi HaMelech" by Rabbi Shalom Dovber Wolpo, which was printed in 5752 (1992) and deals with the laws of kings in Rambam.

I'll translate the document to English, formatted for Chabad Chassidim as requested, maintaining all Judaic/Torah/Chabad terms as they appear in the original.

Publications About the Rebbe

Acceptance of Leadership in "HaPardes"

In the month of Shevat 5711 (1951), immediately after the Rebbe officially accepted the leadership of Chabad Chassidut, Rabbi Elberg wrote about the Rebbe:

"The Rebbe of Lubavitch, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, is a man of virtue and elevated above the people in his brilliance and righteousness, a genius and wonderfully knowledgeable in all chambers of Torah, both revealed and mystical, a righteous and pure man in his deeds, with pleasant character traits in his relationship with people, so that anyone who has had a connection with him is amazed by his noble soul and delicate spirit... By nature, he is modest and extremely humble; from his youth he has devoted day and night with wonderful diligence to the doors of Torah and fear of Heaven, and engaged in the service of God according to the ways of Chassidut, but he has always conducted himself in solitude, modestly and quietly... His Holiness, his father-in-law, the Rebbe of Lubavitch, cherished his son-in-law Rabbi Menachem Mendel very much, and many times spoke in his praise before his close associates and greatly extolled his greatness in genius and righteousness and his broad, firm, and upright mind." — "HaPardes" Journal, 5711 (1951)

Shortly thereafter, Rabbi Elberg published another article in which he refers to the beginning of the Rebbe's leadership of the Chabad movement:

"With the election of the new Rebbe as leader of the Lubavitch community, Lubavitch was raised to its historical height and breadth. Indeed, the current Rebbe represents a perfect understanding, one hundred percent, of the deep concepts of Chabad foundations, and on the other hand, the Rebbe is one of the great scholars of our generation in revealed Torah, in learning methods, in expertise in rabbinic literature in all its branches, and in addition, a man of righteousness and abstinence. There is no doubt that with him the entire house of Lubavitch will be elevated. And the Rav did not reach his appointment and elevation merely because of the merit of being a 'grandson.' His honor and lineage are by virtue of his tremendous personality, his greatness in all areas of Torah; he grew and became worthy to take the throne of the Lubavitch kingdom... And as before, Lubavitch will be the representative of the blended Torah, of the revealed and hidden Torah intertwined as one. And it is no wonder that even among renowned people, those who know the Rebbe's way, the way of Torah, the way of abstinence and modesty, his appointment as leader of Lubavitch aroused great hopes for renewal and restoration of the crown to its former glory, for it is a vital necessity for Lubavitch to exist and work with all its strength and might in all lands of our dispersion, and especially here in America." — "HaPardes" Journal, 5711 (1951)

In the month of Elul, towards the end of 5711 (1951), he wrote:

"The Rebbe, our master Menachem Mendel shlita, who is the seventh generation of Chabad leaders, continues the holy work of Chabad in all its scope, both in saying Chabad Chassidic discourses every Shabbat Mevarchim, holiday, and special days, and in receiving people for 'yechidut' three times a week at a set time, and in letters of response to those who ask him, in addition to his work in public activities spreading Torah and fear of Heaven throughout the world." — "HaPardes" Journal, 5711 (1951)

Pro-Chabad Articles

In the month of Shevat 5730 (1970), Rabbi Elberg wrote in "HaPardes" about how the Rebbe continues in all exact details the Chabad Rebbes before him, and he is even distinguished from them in that he has reached where none of his predecessors reached. In 5743 (1983), he wrote an article about the successful journey that Chabad had made and what still lay ahead, that "a truly great person is not satisfied with things he has done."

In the month of Iyar 5732 (1972), on the occasion of the Rebbe's seventieth birthday, Rabbi Elberg wrote in "HaPardes" an article on "The Essence of Lubavitch" - about the virtue of self-sacrifice of the Chassidim in Russia and its continuation in the United States. Among other things, he writes:

"Self-sacrifice. In these two words is wrapped the entire content and soul of Lubavitch. Self-sacrifice is the pillar and central bolt and foundation upon which Chabad Chassidut is based. It is the flowing and never-ending spring from which Lubavitch draws all its spiritual powers." — "HaPardes"

In the month of Shevat 5734 (1974), he wrote in "HaPardes" about the shluchim (emissaries) scattered throughout the world, the difficulties they are forced to deal with, and about the Rebbe - the driving force behind them. In the continuation of the long article, he brought special stories about the beginning of shlichus in Hong Kong and Spain. In another article, he describes the situation in the United States in the period before the Lubavitcher Rebbe's arrival, when it was not possible to find a young bearded man. In an interview he gave to "Kfar Chabad Weekly," he spoke about the spread of Chabad in the world and its breakthrough beyond the boundaries of the "court," about its building of Judaism in the United States and about returning the "Jewish form" there. In 5739 (1979), "Algemeiner Journal" wrote about its creation of the teshuva movement and "kiruv rechokim" (outreach to the distant) and about the approach to every Jew in a fatherly way until bringing them under the wings of the Shechinah. Although initially people mocked Chabad for this approach, today everyone admits they did well.

After participating in a farbrengen with the Rebbe on 10 Shevat 5740 (1980) (in which Rabbi Joseph Ber Soloveitchik was also present), he wrote that the definition of the Rebbe is in two words - "Leader of Israel." "One can be a very great person, a genius and righteous, but not a leader. The Lubavitcher Rebbe is a leader." Towards 11 Nissan 5750 (1990), he wrote similar things and compared the Rebbe to ancient leaders who sacrificed everything they had for the sake of Klal Yisrael.

On the 25th of Adar 5749 (1989), an event was held in New York to mark the publication of the tenth volume of the Rebbe's Igrot Kodesh (Holy Letters). Rabbi Elberg was present at the event and he said:

"One who studies the style of the Rebbe's Igrot Kodesh, a concise and clear style like no other, immediately recalls the language of the Rambam, a language in which every word is precise and calculated, where with the absence or addition of one word, questions are asked and answers are given. Indeed, one who studies the Torah innovations in the Igrot Kodesh sees the greatness of precision in every word, similar to what our Sages said: The early ones - why were they called 'scribes'? Because they would count every letter in the Torah... like the special and wonderful style of the Gaon Rabbi Chaim of Brisk."

His Books

• Minchas Bikurim - Novellae and explanations in all Torah subjects. Printed in 5696 (1936).
• Warsaw Shel Maalah (Heavenly Warsaw) - Description of Torah-observant Jewish life and its great leaders in the period before the Holocaust. Printed in 5729 (1969).
• Imrei Simcha - Essays on topics of Jewish thought and philosophy. Printed in 5729 (1969).
• Shalmei Simcha (five volumes) - Novellae and explanations in all Torah subjects.

Further Reading

• His biography and connections with the Rebbe, Chabad institutions and personalities, Rabbi Shalom DovBer Wolpo, Shemen Sasson Meichaveirecha, Volume 4, pages 12-30.
• B'sod Siach page 277, the story of his becoming close to the Rebbe, yechidus meetings and responses
• Siach Sarfei Kodesh page 513, yechidus meetings
• Menachem Meshiv Nafshi, letters 1634-1637, the Rebbe's letters to Rabbi Elberg
• Beis Moshiach weekly, issue 725, his life story, documentation and review of Rabbi Elberg's connections with the Rebbe
• Beis Moshiach weekly issue 727 pages 30-33, a guest at the Rebbe's farbrengen of 10 Shevat 5740
• Rabbi Elberg Explains the Urgency in Correcting the Who is a Jew Law, Kfar Chabad weekly, issue 221 page 8 (year?)
• Mendi Kortes, Secret Messages at the Farbrengen, Kfar Chabad weekly, 'Guests' supplement issue 2081 page 34 (5785)

External Links

• Rabbi Simcha Elberg at "Dollar Distribution" with the Rebbe on 3 Sivan 5750
• Rabbi Simcha Elberg declares at the Rebbe's farbrengen that the Land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people (1:24)
• The Rebbe mentions Rabbi Elberg - Igros Kodesh volume 23 page 222 and also in volume 27 page 168.
• Rabbi Mordechai Menashe Laufer, The Gaon Rabbi Simcha Elberg in Hiskareshus magazine number 1150
• Shlomo Simcha collection of video clips in which Rabbi Elberg is seen passing before the Rebbe at dollar distributions

His Books

• Rabbi Simcha Elberg, Minchas Bikurim
• Rabbi Simcha Elberg, Shalmei Simcha (Part 1)
• Rabbi Simcha Elberg, Shalmei Simcha (Part 2)
• Rabbi Simcha Elberg, Shalmei Simcha (Part 5)
• Rabbi Simcha Elberg, Imrei Simcha

His Articles About Chabad

• "The Honorable Admor of Lubavitch Shlita", HaPardes, Year 56, Issue 7-8 (Nissan-Iyar 5742)
• "The Honorable Admor of Lubavitch", HaPardes, Year 68, Issue 10 (Tammuz 5754)