Yehoshua Heshil Tzeitlin

Rabbi Yehoshua Heshil Tzeitlin (24 Sivan 5682 / 1922 - 11 Shevat 5748 / 1988) was a mashpia (spiritual mentor) of the Chabad community in Montreal, Canada, who specialized in shechita (ritual slaughter) for his livelihood and also served as a mohel (ritual circumciser).

Life History

He was born on 24 Sivan 5682 to his father Rabbi Aharon Eliezer Tzeitlin in the city of Homel in Russia.

He spent his childhood years together with his older brother Yehuda Leib - close to his father while he served as a mashpia and shochet u'bodek (ritual slaughterer and inspector) in Homel, in the colonies of Kamina, Tarapitz, and Maziesk. At the beginning of the year 5690 (1930), he was sent at seven years of age to study Torah far from his parents.

He spent his youth in underground yeshivas. In 5691 (1931), he studied in Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim in Berditchev.

In 5706 (1946), he was saved and left together with other Anash (members of the Chabad community), his mother and brother to Pocking; on 10 Kislev 5707 (1947), he arrived in Poland.

Following the instructions of the Rebbe Rayatz (Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn), he came to Tomchei Tmimim Paris.

With the blessing of the Rebbe Rayatz, he married on 15 Shevat 5709 (1949) his wife Rivka, the daughter of Rabbi Yehoshua Zelig Ahronov.

In Montreal

In 5711 (1951), Reb Heshil arrived from Paris to settle in Montreal according to the Rebbe's instructions; the Kabbalist Rabbi Menachem Zev Greenglass together with the Tosh Rebbe greatly assisted him in entering Canada and later obtaining citizenship. During the first year, he and his wife stayed with Rabbi Greenglass.

For thirty-seven years, Reb Heshil influenced the growing community in Montreal. He established study groups in every street ("block shiur"), served as mashpia in the yeshiva, and held many farbrengens (Chassidic gatherings) in his home.

Following the Rebbe's directive in 5737 (1977) to hold elections for mashpia, he was elected with the highest number of votes.

He served as a shochet and mohel for the community. Reb Heshil would rise early and leave his home for shechita, making it difficult for him to pray with a minyan (quorum). Regarding this, he received guidelines from the Rebbe in a private audience about his prayer service: a. Since you are accustomed to praying not with a minyan, you should make an effort to be careful about responding to Amen-Yehai-Shmei-Raba. b. On Yom Tov, it is better to try [to pray] with a minyan. You can start before the minyan so that you can continue with the minyan; because among Chassidim they say that Hallel should be recited with a minyan. c. Presumably before prayer you study a maamar (Chassidic discourse) or kuntres (pamphlet). [Because] with what can a Jew pray? d. On a free day [=when not working] it is certainly proper to extend your prayers. Therefore, Reb Heshil was very particular about praying with a minyan, even to the point of mesiras nefesh (self-sacrifice).

He passed away on 11 Shevat 5748 (1988) and was laid to rest in Montreal, Canada.

Family

• His brother, Rabbi Leibel Tzeitlin (Montreal), a Chabad businessman who was among the founders of Chabad institutions in Montreal
• His brother-in-law, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Aharonov of the elders of Anash in Toronto
• His son, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Tzeitlin - the Rebbe's shliach in Toronto
• His son, Rabbi Aharon Eliezer Tzeitlin, of the Rebbe's shluchim to the Holy Land, and shliach in Tzfat
• His daughter Mrs. Esther, wife of Rabbi Avraham ben Shimon of the Anash rabbis in Montreal
• His daughter Mrs. Sterna Sarah, wife of Rabbi Shalom Ber Klamenson, the Rebbe's shliach in Cincinnati, Ohio
• His daughter Mrs. Bracha, wife of Rabbi Eliezer Teitelbaum, of blessed memory, Crown Heights
• His son-in-law, Rabbi Yitzchak Yarmush - teacher of young children in Montreal
• His daughter Mrs. Devorah Leah, wife of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Mishulovin - Los Angeles, California

External Links

• Rafael Dinari, A Sincere Man of Truth Beit Moshiach Weekly Issue 866 page 50

Further Reading

• Menachem Zigelboim, Chassidim and Men of Truth, a biography of Rabbi Tzeitlin and his father
• Yosef Ashkenazi, Otzar HaChassidim - Personalities and Chassidic Teachings of Chabad Mashpi'im Throughout the World, published by Chazak, 5774 (2014)