Editing Rabbi Yehuda Leib Groner (section)

== Life History ==
Rabbi Yehuda Leib Groner was born on 8 Iyar 5691 to Rabbi Mordechai Avraham Yeshaya Groner and Menucha Rachel Groner. His mother was a descendant of the Alter Rebbe. He studied in the cheder of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim in New York. In his childhood, he merited great closeness from the Frierdiker Rebbe.

In 5704 (1944), Rabbi Groner celebrated his bar mitzvah, in which the Rebbe participated and even spoke for about an hour and twenty minutes. At the conclusion, the Rebbe turned to Rabbi Groner and asked him: "Leibel, did you understand what was discussed?" Rabbi Groner was silent, and the Rebbe responded: "Don't be embarrassed, many of those standing nearby didn't understand either." As a young man, he studied at the Central Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim in New York. Rabbi Groner was among the shluchim who founded Yeshivas Achei Tmimim in Chicago.

In the month of Tishrei 5709 (1948), the Rebbe approached Rabbi Groner and asked if he was interested in helping him in his free time. Rabbi Groner accepted the offer and initially began assisting the Rebbe with administrative matters and participated in editing books published by Kehot Publication Society, which was under the Rebbe's management at that time. Over time, his work in the Rebbe's secretariat expanded.

Rabbi Groner with the Rebbe

After the passing of the Frierdiker Rebbe, the Rebbe approached him and said, "From now on, the work will be completely different." During the acceptance of leadership ceremony, the Rebbe asked Rabbi Groner to stand near him during the farbrengen in case he needed something.

On 15 Elul 5714 (1954), he married Mrs. Yehudit, daughter of Rabbi Tzemach Gurevitch, and merited that the Rebbe arranged kiddushin for him at his wedding. After his wedding, he continued his work in the secretariat. In later years, the transfer of personal letters to the Rebbe and delivery of responses from the Rebbe was done by Rabbi Groner and his secretariat colleague Rabbi Yerachmiel Binyamin Klein.

Starting from the health event that the Rebbe experienced in 5738 (1978), his work expanded, and from then on he became the closest secretary. It is told that Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka told him that from now on, he bears the responsibility to care for the Rebbe's health.

During the distribution of the Tanya on 11 Nissan 5744 (1984), the Rebbe looked for him, referring to him as "Where is 'mein general'" (my general).

In 5753 (1993), after the passing of secretary Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Eizik Chadakov, the Rebbe approved his appointment along with other secretariat members as board members of the institutions Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, Machne Israel, and Kehot. In 5754 (1994), the Rebbe approved the establishment of Kupat Rabbeinu, and his signature appears at the top of the signatories for opening the organization.

He was among the secretaries who prominently supported activities to bring and publicize Moshiach, including voting and stating that this is the Rebbe. In 5753 (1993), he conveyed the Rebbe's approval for printing the title "Melech HaMoshiach" after his name in the book "Besuras HaGeulah." After 3 Tammuz 5754 (1994), he supported the belief in the eternal life of the Rebbe, but nevertheless opposed writing the title "Shlita" for the Rebbe in print.

In his later years, he served as a mashpia in the synagogue "Anshei Lubavitch Kehillas Chassidim" (also known as "Baumgarten Shul") on Carroll Street in the Crown Heights neighborhood.

He passed away on Erev Pesach 5780 (2020) after contracting the coronavirus.