Yavneh (Company)

Yavneh was a company founded by the Rebbe Rashab with the goal of being recognized as a legal entity that could collect and receive donations for the benefit of Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim. After its closure, the company was re-established in Germany under the name 'Philanthropy'.

History

In Czarist Russia, there was a prohibition against maintaining religious institutions as independent entities. Therefore, legally, Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch was not recognized by the government, and there was no possibility to transfer donations to it. For this purpose, the Rebbe Rashab established a company called Yavneh in 5664 (1904). According to his plan, donations would be received by this company, and Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim would essentially be its educational institution.

The Razah (Rabbi Zalman Aharon) and the Rebbe Rayatz (Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak) were appointed to head the company. The only thing missing was the legal approval of the company. Attempts for this were made constantly, and finally, the company was approved in 5665 (1905) - but was immediately closed by the government, which discovered the "deception" and "trick." That was the end of the company.

After its closure, the Rebbe Rashab began working to establish a company with a similar purpose in Germany, where he stayed in 5667 (1907) at the medicinal springs in Würzburg. The goal was that after it would be recognized abroad by the German government, it would be possible to use and operate it within Russia as well.

Initially, the company was called "Gesellschaft" (society), and later the name "Philanthropia" was chosen for it.

Besides supporting Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim, the funds collected through the company were designated to support the Jewish settlement in Eretz Yisrael, with emphasis on the Chabad community in Hebron, purchasing land, and establishing institutions.

For the purpose of establishing the company and raising funds for it, a special booklet was prepared in 5670 (1910), reviewing the activities of the Yeshiva. It was printed in Hebrew in Vilna and in German in Frankfurt under the name 'Bericht' (report).

Further Reading

• Plan for Establishing an Organization to Save Jewish Education in Russia, Heichal HaBaal Shem Tov Issue 40, page 259

External Links

• Yavneh - Its Establishment and Objectives, overview of the company within the introduction to Igrot Kodesh of the Rebbe Rashab Volume 4, page 28 and on