Editing Yechezkel Abramsky (section)

== 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."