Yechezkel Abramsky

Rabbi Yechezkel Abramsky (6 Adar I 5646 / 1886 - 24 Elul 5736 / 1976), (known for his book Chazon Yechezkel on the Tosefta) was among the Torah giants, Rosh Mesivta in Slabodka Yeshiva in Bnei Brak, President of the Vaad HaYeshivos and among the leaders of Chinuch Atzmai, and one of the most important leaders of Torah Judaism in Eretz Yisroel.

Life History

Rabbi Abramsky was born in the village of Dashkavtzi in the Grodno district on 6 Adar 5646. He studied in the Novardok Yeshiva under the Saba and elevated himself in Torah study with wonderful diligence. In 5663 he received rabbinical ordination from the Gaon, author of the Aruch HaShulchan. In 5664, he began studying at the Telz Yeshiva and became known as "the Iluy from Mast," and in 5667 he transferred to the Rameilis Yeshiva in Vilna. On Rosh Chodesh Tammuz 5669, he married the daughter of Rabbi Yisrael Yehonatan Yerushamski, son-in-law of the Ridvaz.

In 5670, he spent several months in the company of Rabbi Chaim of Brisk, and was very close to him. In 5672, he was accepted as rabbi and Av Beis Din in the city of Smilian, in 5674 in the city of Smalavitch, and in 5683 he ascended to the rabbinical seat in the Torah city of Slutzk, taking the place of Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer. In all the places where he served as rabbi, he dedicated himself to strengthening Torah study and mitzvah observance, and even worked from his location to strengthen Jewish communities throughout Russia.

In 5685, he published the first volume of his book Chazon Yechezkel on the Tosefta, and in 5687 he was one of the editors of the Torah journal Yagdil Torah together with Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Zevin.

In 5688, he was appointed to be the rabbi of Petach Tikva, but the Russian authorities prevented his departure. On Rosh Chodesh Elul 5690, he was arrested and sentenced to ten years of imprisonment and hard labor in a detention camp in the Ural Mountains. After much intervention by Rabbi Chaim Ozer, an agreement was made between the German Prime Minister and Stalin, that Germany would release six communist prisoners in exchange for him, and indeed on Erev Yom Kippur 5692, he was released from his imprisonment and a month later was expelled from Russia.

In Kislev 5692, he arrived in London. In Adar of that year, his Rebbetzin and two of his sons succeeded in leaving Russia, and only five years later did the Russians release the two older sons, who had remained as a guarantee that Rabbi Abramsky would not speak against the Russian authorities. Upon his arrival in London, he was appointed as a dayan and rabbi in the "Machzikei Hadas" community. In 5695, he was accepted as the Av Beis Din of London.

In 5705, he published his book "Eretz Yisrael - Nachlas Am Yisrael." In 5710, while still in London, he received the "Rav Kook Prize for Torah Literature" from the Tel Aviv municipality.

In 5711, he moved to Yerushalayim and continued writing and printing his book Chazon Yechezkel, of which he merited to print 24 volumes on the Tosefta and Shas.

He passed away in Yerushalayim on 24 Elul 5736 at the age of ninety and was buried on Har HaMenuchos.

His Connections with Chabad

Already in 5671, Rabbi Abramsky was proposed to serve as the head of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim in Lubavitch, and even delivered a trial lecture before the yeshiva students. In practice, Rabbi Abramsky was not accepted as the head of the yeshiva. Out of respect for him, the Rebbe Rashab later made efforts on his behalf, and Rabbi Abramsky was appointed as mentioned above as Av Beis Din of Smalian.

After the passing of the Rebbe Rashab, he was very close to the Rebbe Rayatz, and worked with him extensively on communal matters. He was a member of a rabbinical committee to which the Rebbe would send funds to Russia for the maintenance of cheders, mikvaos, and rabbis. Rabbi Abramsky's underground name was "Yemin Hashem Romemah" (the beginning of the verse said for his name "Yechezkel" at the end of Shemoneh Esrei). In contrast, the Rebbe Rayatz used to call him "the Tosefta"...

He was also friends with great Chabad chassidim in Russia, and "merited" to sit with them in prison for the crime of their activities to maintain Torah, thus he met Rabbi Refael Cohen there.

He also greatly supported the Yad L'Achim organization and its leader, the chassid Rabbi Shalom Dov Ber Lifshitz.

In London

In the first period of his stay in London, on 21 Adar Sheni 5692, the Rebbe Rayatz writes to him:

"I received your letter from the 5th of Pekudei... and I was happy to hear about your good health, and that thank God you obtained permission for your household to [also leave Russia and follow you]. May Hashem make their journey successful so that everything will be in order, and may Hashem protect your honored sons Mr. Moshe and Yaakov David who remain for now in their place, and may Hashem help them soon obtain permission to come to you successfully."

The Rebbe Rayatz continues with detailed instructions about sending hundreds of Kimcha D'Pischa packages to Russia.

Again, the Rebbe Rayatz writes to him a few weeks later: "I received your letter from the 3rd of Shemini. I am very happy that the Rebbetzin and your two sons are already outside [Russia], and may Hashem help soon to gladden their hearts that their sons who remained there will soon be able to come to them." Rabbi Abramsky is mentioned in the Rebbe Rayatz's letters regarding numerous topics. The connection between them was close and consistent. Examples of matters discussed in the letters: World Committee of Rabbis to help Russian Jewry. Appointment of Rabbi Abramsky as one of the committee members (27 Menachem Av 5701, letter #1505). A day of worldwide public fasting, initiated by the Rebbe and signed by Rabbi Abramsky (11 Elul 5701, letter #1520).

In 5702, he worked together with the Rebbe Rayatz to assist Russian Jewry with Kimcha D'Pischa.

On 3 Iyar 5707 (letter #3029), the Rebbe Rayatz wrote to him: "Honored friend, the rabbi and gaon, renowned and famous for praise and glory among the geonim of Yaakov, possessor of outstanding qualities, Rabbi Yechezkel Abramsky," the letter concerns the visit of Rabbi Shmaryahu Gurary to Europe. On 15 Marcheshvan 5708 (letter #3127), the Rebbe Rayatz writes to Rabbi Ben Zion Shem Tov who was staying in London: "Surely you visited... the renowned gaon Rabbi Yechezkel Abramsky, give my regards and tell him my blessing."

On Erev Rosh Hashanah 5709, the Rebbe Rayatz writes to Rabbi Abramsky that he enjoyed hearing from Rabbi Ben Zion Shem Tov "about the dedicated work of your honor for the benefit of the public in general, in spreading Torah publicly in particular, and in bringing close Anash and the Tmimim refugees, and the help he extends to them in settling in his country."

In letter #3788 from 29 Teves 5710, the Rebbe Rayatz writes to Rabbi Shem Tov to invite Rabbi Abramsky to take part in a committee he is establishing in London for strengthening Judaism.

Rabbi Abramsky's son related: When Chabad chassidim, led by Rabbi Ben Zion Shem Tov (whom I knew quite well) arrived from Moscow to London in 5708, my father helped them, and Rabbi Shem Tov was a frequent visitor at my father's home.

Fighting for the Rebbe's Enactments

The friendship that existed in the Rebbe Rayatz's generation continued with the Rebbe. The Gaon greatly appreciated the Rebbe's activities in bringing our Jewish brethren closer to their Father in Heaven. He was one of the prominent rabbis whose signatures appear on the proclamation of Jewish leaders encouraging the Tefillin campaign.

In the month of Nissan 5732/1972, he signed together with Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, and others on the proclamation to amend the "Who is a Jew" law.

When Dr. Yitzchak Rafael served as Minister of Religious Affairs, he had an idea for solving the "Who is a Jew" issue. For this purpose, he visited Rabbi Abramsky and presented the solution to him. Rabbi Abramsky replied that "in these matters, one should consult the Lubavitcher Rebbe shlita, for he is the one fighting against assimilation, and he is the definitive expert in these matters."

A few days later, Rabbi Yitzchak Hutner visited him. This was before Rabbi Hutner's trip to the United States. Rabbi Abramsky asked him to visit the Rebbe during his trip and inquire about the proposal. Rabbi Hutner consulted with the Rebbe and sent a telegram to Rabbi Abramsky stating that the proposal was unacceptable, and the matter was removed from the agenda.

In 5732/1972, Rabbi Shmuel Elazar Heilprin (who also drafted the proclamation signed by 32 Torah leaders), in consultation with Rabbi Betzalel Zolty, initiated a public fast day to arouse divine mercy for amending the "Who is a Jew" law. The Rebbe gave his consent and encouragement, and delegations of rabbis went to obtain signatures from various rabbis, including Rabbi Abramsky, who quickly signed the proclamation and the fast declaration. The delegation included, besides Rabbi Shmuel Elazar Heilprin, also Rabbi Yisrael Grossman, Rabbi Avraham Tzvi Cohen, and Rabbi Shalom Dovber Wolpo. In his words, he elaborated on his appreciation for the Rebbe's greatness and his tremendous activities in bringing Jews closer to Torah. Among other things, he said then: "You are fortunate, you have a Rebbe, so everything is clear for you. But what should we do?"

Rabbi Abramsky spoke about the period when he was in prison in Russia for his work in spreading Judaism.

"When I recited 'Modeh Ani' while I was in prison, I thought to myself, what do I have to be thankful for that my soul was returned to me? I have neither physical nor spiritual comforts. I cannot study or pray, so what is there to be thankful for? But the gratitude is for this - that even in this situation, in prison, I have the ability to feel that 'great is Your faithfulness.'"

When the Rebbe Rayatz heard this from Chassidim who had heard it directly from him, he listened with special attention and responded: "It's possible that this alone justified Rabbi Abramsky's entire imprisonment, so that he could reach this elevated feeling."

Further Reading

• Machon B'Ohalei Tzaddikim, Sefer B'Sod Siach p. 30.
• Shalom Dovber Wolpo, Shemen Sasson Meichavereicha, Volume 1, page 31 and onwards.