Yerachmiel Benyaminson

Rabbi of Schedrin and Zlobin and one of the prominent Chassidim of the The Rebbe Rashab and the Rebbe Rayatz.

Early Years

Born in 1885 in the town of Beshenkovitz, Lithuania, to a non-Chabad family that apparently was not associated with Chassidism.

Being exceptionally talented, Rabbi Yerachmiel excelled in his studies, and quickly became known as a genius in both revealed Torah, Chassidus and Jewish law. Despite his talents, the young student conducted himself as a true 'Tamim' - all his ways and behaviors were modest, he was a great lover of peace and pleasant in his conduct - traits that endeared him to his acquaintances, and most importantly - devoted with all his being to our holy Rebbes.

In his youth, his father - who was a Torah-respecting Jew - sent him to the Slabodka Yeshiva, which was a famous Lithuanian yeshiva, so that he would grow in Torah.

Young Yerachmiel - being a talented student - quickly integrated into the circle of learners, but at some point felt that something wasn't right in the entire yeshiva system. During that period, the good name of the Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva of Lubavitch became known throughout the world. Yerachmiel decided that this was the yeshiva suitable for him.

One day he took his pack, and together with another friend - with whom he agreed to move to Lubavitch - they set out on the long journey into White Russia - to the town of Lubavitch where the Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva was located at that time.

Student Yerachmiel was accepted to study in the yeshiva, and quickly became a regular student and connected with all his soul to the Rebbe Rashab.

Connected to the Rebbe Rayatz

In summer 1920, the Rebbe Rashab passed away, and his son and successor - the Rebbe Rayatz - took over leadership of the Chassidim.

During that period, when the Communists ruled Russia, the Rebbe Rayatz gathered ten of the greatest Chassidim and devotees who acted with supreme self-sacrifice to fulfill the Rebbe's missions. The Rebbe made them swear they would not move an inch from their position in spreading Torah and Judaism in Russia and would fight until their last drop of blood against the impure arm extended to cut down Israel's crown in the vast expanses of the Soviet Union. Rabbi Yerachmiel Benyaminson, who was completely devoted to the Rebbe Rayatz, was one of those ten who participated in that stirring gathering, and took upon himself - like all participants - to fight until the end for Judaism and Jews.

The Rabbinate in Zlobin

For a short period, he served as Rabbi of Schedrin.

In 1927, Rabbi Yerachmiel - who was already married - was offered to serve as Rabbi of Zlobin, replacing Rabbi Moshe Axelrod who moved to serve as Rabbi in the city of Suraz.

Rabbi Yerachmiel asked the Rebbe Rayatz's opinion regarding the proposed appointment, and received agreement and blessing and congratulations regarding his new position (Igrot Kodesh Vol. 1 p. 562).

The appreciation of all community members from young to old for the new Rabbi was very great. The Rabbi's gentle personality, together with his firmness in matters of Judaism, his genuine love for fellow Jews and his genius in Torah subjects - all combined into a Chassidic figure who influenced goodness and kindness upon the city's residents, and the Zlobin community merited in these troubled times to have a Rabbi of stature who would lead them fearlessly through the raging waters.

The Rabbinate Offer in Ramen

A little over a year later, in late 1928, Rabbi Benyaminson received an offer to serve as Rabbi in the city of Ramen.

Until recently, Rabbi Chaim Yeshaya Schneersohn, a descendant of the Tzemach Tzedek, had served there, and after his passing the city residents began searching for a new Rabbi, and Rabbi Benyaminson was suggested. One of the important activists in the city - the Chassid R' Yechezkel Greenpres sent - on behalf of the community - a letter regarding this to the Rebbe Rayatz, and simultaneously the offer was presented to Rabbi Benyaminson who also asked the Rebbe.

In two letters bearing the same date: 26 Iyar 1928, the Rebbe Rayatz expresses his agreement and blessing for the matter. In the letter addressed to R' Yechezkel, the Rebbe greatly praises Rabbi Benyaminson and extols his virtues through which he could lead the city with grace and kindness.

Back to Zlobin

Ultimately, the Rabbinate in Ramen did not work out, here too due to Rabbi Benyaminson's noble character. The Rabbi indeed traveled to Ramen to get to know it up close, but there it became clear to him that the Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva branch in the city had been closed, and since he remained without a position, there were those who said about R' Yaakov that he was worthy to be the city's Rabbi.

When Rabbi Benyaminson heard this, he returned to his city Zlobin where he served until around 1934.

Rabbi Benyaminson established a Jewish network in the city of synagogues, mikvahs, schools, teachers and ritual slaughterers.

During this period, troubles increased, the KGB watched the Rabbi's steps, and he was even arrested once. If not for the uproar made by the city's Jews who greatly loved their Rabbi - who knows what would have happened to him. Rabbi Benyaminson and his family thus began to search and inquire about possibilities for leaving Russia.

Leaving Russia

A legal way to leave Russia was to meet with Kalinin, the President of Russia, and hand him the request letter.

During this period, the Rebbetzin, the Rabbi's wife, became ill in her eyes, and there was an urgent need to take her out in order to operate on her in Riga. It seems that the Rabbi's initial intention was to travel to Israel, but due to his wife's illness this was prevented, and it was decided to leave for Riga.

Abroad, various people also took care of entry visas to Riga, and regarding this matter we find a letter from the Rebbe Rayatz to those involved to change Rabbi Benyaminson's papers from the Holy Land to Riga, a matter that shows his favor in the Rebbe Rayatz's eyes.

With no choice, Rabbi Benyaminson decided to try to meet with Kalinin. He made his journey to Moscow and waited outside his office, hoping that he would be fortunate enough to meet Kalinin outside his office. By God's grace, after several days he met President Kalinin and handed him the papers. This was a great miracle, since it was the only way for the Rabbi to leave Russia and thereby probably save his life.

After three weeks their request was fulfilled, and the Benyaminson family received the passports enabling them to leave Russia.

The main problem was leaving with the library, which included Rabbi Vilda's books that were precious. The authorities permitted taking out books worth up to 200 rubles, when here the books were worth fifty to seventy times that amount.

Family members and friends, like Rabbi Mordechai Shusterman who was a regular at the Rabbi's home, 'fabricated' prices for the books, so that they could finally be transferred out of Russia.

Outside Russia

In late 1934, Rabbi Benyaminson and his family left the valley of tears by God's grace, arriving in Riga.

Upon arrival, the Rabbi sent a letter to the Rebbe Rayatz who was then in Otwock about their exit from distress to relief.

In the United States

Towards the beginning of 1950, Rabbi Benyaminson immigrated with his family to the United States. Upon arrival, he had a private audience with the Rebbe Rayatz.

Rabbi Benyaminson established his residence in Miami, Florida.

After the passing of the Rebbe Rayatz on 10 Shevat 1950, Rabbi Benyaminson was one of the first to connect to the Rebbe. Just as he had connected with all his being and soul to the previous leaders, with complete submission like a servant before his master. And as usual - he expressed his opinion with characteristic strength and honesty.

A very significant step taken by Rabbi Benyaminson, and perhaps even significant regarding the issue of leadership in general, was on 15 Elul 1950. Then Rabbi Benyaminson organized ten of the elder and important young men, and together with them they traveled to the Rebbe Rayatz's resting place, where the Rabbi read a general petition - on behalf of all Chassidim (the petition was written by Rabbi Benyaminson) - in which they ask the previous Rebbe to influence the Rebbe to agree to accept the mantle of leadership officially and completely.

We do not deal with supreme knowledge, but Chassidim say that since the reading of this petition, the Rebbe stopped expressing his opposition to accepting the leadership as he had done until then.

After accepting the leadership, he made sure to come for the month of holidays and other occasions, and merited to be among those invited to dine at the Rebbe's table.

After a short period, he moved to live in Montreal, where he was appointed as a member of the rabbinical court, rabbi of the Nusach Ari synagogue, and head of the Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva.

His Passing

Passed away on the first of Shevat 1955 at age seventy-one. According to the Rebbe's instruction, he was buried near the holy resting place.

After his passing, his son R' Nachum Yosef Benyaminson gave the Rebbe all the manuscripts that were in his father's possession. The Rebbe asked to pay, and of course he refused. During that period, the Rebbe printed the "Likkutei Dibburim" booklets, and in one of them the Rebbe printed a dedication from him for the elevation of Rabbi Benyaminson's soul.

His Family

• His son, R' Nachum Yosef Benyaminson - ritual slaughterer and examiner, member of the Chabad community in Montreal
• His grandson, Rabbi Yerachmiel Benyaminson - Chairman of Tzivos Hashem, Crown Heights
• His grandson, Mordechai Shaul Benyaminson - passed away 25 Marcheshvan 2024.

For Further Reading

Yosef Ashkenazi, Treasury of Chassidim - The Personalities and Chassidic Teachings of Chabad Mentors Worldwide, published by Chazak, 2014