Tzvi Hirsh Azimov

Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh Azimov (5645-28 Av 5678) was a member of the team of 'chozrim' [those who would memorize and repeat the Rebbe's discourses] for the Rebbe Rashab, a great 'oved' [one who serves Hashem with deep devotion], a graduate of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch, and a teacher in the Ramen branch of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim.

Life History

He was born to the Chossid Reb Moshe Nissan Azimov and his mother Mrs. Chaya Sarah (née Pevzner) in 5645, in the Chassidic town of Klimovitch. His father was a Lubavitcher Chossid, who spent all his days immersed in Torah study and avodah, and would fast on Mondays and Thursdays.

He was among the first Tmimim students in Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch in the court of the Rebbe Rashab. He arrived in Lubavitch in 5657 or 5658 and devoted himself entirely to the service of Hashem in the way of Chassidus. From 5662, he was counted among the team of 'chozrim'.

He served Hashem with all his heart to the point of self-sacrifice, even at the expense of his physical health. It is told that he was detached from material matters. It is known that there were times when he would recite Shema all night and afterward would take his tallis and tefillin and go to daven - without sleeping at all in between.

The Rebbe Rashab described him as "a pure body and a pristine soul," and on another occasion testified about him: "His conception and birth were in holiness."

As a young married man, he taught the children of the Gurary family in Ramen, and also served as a teacher in Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Ramen. In his first marriage, he wed Mrs. Hadeh Reizel of the Menlovich family (who was the widow of Rabbi Meir Simcha Chen), and in his second marriage, he wed Mrs. Elka, the daughter of Chossid Reb Yehoshua Heschel Levin.

He contracted tuberculosis and passed away in his youth on the 28th of Menachem Av 5678 at the age of 33.

His Family

• His brother, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Azimov - Lod.
• His son, Rabbi Chaim Hillel Azimov (father of Rabbi Shmuel (Muleh) Azimov - the Rebbe's shliach in Paris).

Further Reading

• Chassidim HaRishonim Vol. 2, p. 181 and onwards.
• Yosef Ashkenazi, Otzar HaChassidim - The Personalities and Chassidic Teachings of Mashpi'im of Chabad in the Soviet Union and Poland, published by Chazak, 5775
• Sefer Chassidim HaRishonim pp. 181-187.