Menachem Mendel Futerfas: Difference between revisions
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| name = Rabbi Menachem Mendel Futerfas | |||
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| country = Israel | |||
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| occupation = Mashpia | |||
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'''Rabbi Menachem Mendel Futerfas''' (also known as: Reb Mendel. 20 Tishrei 1908 - 4 Tammuz 1995) was a chossid and mekushar to our Rebbeim, a man of mesiras nefesh who established underground branches of [[Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim|Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim]] behind the Iron Curtain. From 1973, under the Rebbe's direction, he served as the head mashpia at the central Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim in Kfar Chabad and as a shadar abroad to inspire spiritually and raise funds. He served as a board member of Beis Rivka and the Bucharian Yeshiva institutions in Kfar Chabad. Together with Rabbi Mordechai Shmuel Ashkenazi and Rabbi Bentzion Vishetsky, he founded the Yiddish Cheder in Kfar Chabad. | |||
== Life History == | == Life History == | ||
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Indeed, the shidduch came to fruition in a good and successful hour, and the wedding took place in the kallah's town on Tuesday, 10 Tammuz 1933. | Indeed, the shidduch came to fruition in a good and successful hour, and the wedding took place in the kallah's town on Tuesday, 10 Tammuz 1933. | ||
== For Tomchei Temimim and Pidyon Shvuyim == | == For [[Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim|Tomchei Temimim]] and Pidyon Shvuyim == | ||
After his wedding, he stayed briefly with his mother in Kharkov, and then traveled with his wife to the city of Yegurovsk (a city approximately 100 kilometers from Moscow). Although he temporarily withdrew from his yeshiva activities for family matters, the administrators of the nationwide network of underground Tomchei Temimim yeshivas throughout Russia already recognized his talents and dedication, seeing him as most suitable for working to save the yeshivas. From a financial perspective - supporting the families of prisoners who risked their lives for Torah and mitzvos, maintaining the underground yeshivas, funding the constant relocations of the yeshivas, as well as significant amounts paid as bribes - placed a heavy financial burden on the organizers, and he was chosen to be one of those tasked with obtaining the necessary funding. | After his wedding, he stayed briefly with his mother in Kharkov, and then traveled with his wife to the city of Yegurovsk (a city approximately 100 kilometers from Moscow). Although he temporarily withdrew from his yeshiva activities for family matters, the administrators of the nationwide network of underground Tomchei Temimim yeshivas throughout Russia already recognized his talents and dedication, seeing him as most suitable for working to save the yeshivas. From a financial perspective - supporting the families of prisoners who risked their lives for Torah and mitzvos, maintaining the underground yeshivas, funding the constant relocations of the yeshivas, as well as significant amounts paid as bribes - placed a heavy financial burden on the organizers, and he was chosen to be one of those tasked with obtaining the necessary funding. | ||
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== For the Benefit of Chassidim == | == For the Benefit of Chassidim == | ||
During World War II, when the Nazis (yimach shmam) invaded Russia, he fled Moscow with his family and after wandering arrived in Samarkand, where many Anash and Polish refugees had gathered. News of his activities quickly spread among the chassidim and many sought his help. He did everything in his power to improve their situation. | During [[World War II]], when the Nazis (yimach shmam) invaded Russia, he fled Moscow with his family and after wandering arrived in Samarkand, where many Anash and Polish refugees had gathered. News of his activities quickly spread among the chassidim and many sought his help. He did everything in his power to improve their situation. | ||
Starting in late winter 5703 (1943), at the height of the war, he began managing Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Samarkand, where hundreds of students studied over time. In this role, Reb Mendel established branches of Tomchei Tmimim, some for students of Cheder age and most for Yeshiva age. | Starting in late winter 5703 (1943), at the height of the war, he began managing Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Samarkand, where hundreds of students studied over time. In this role, Reb Mendel established branches of Tomchei Tmimim, some for students of Cheder age and most for Yeshiva age. | ||
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He dedicated many hours to one-on-one conversations with tmimim to influence and elevate them spiritually. | He dedicated many hours to one-on-one conversations with tmimim to influence and elevate them spiritually. | ||
For the Benefit of the Community | == For the Benefit of the Community == | ||
In parallel with his role as a Mashpia, he continued, following the Rebbe's instructions, in his position as a Shadar (emissary fundraiser) which he would fulfill during the months of Elul - Kislev. In this capacity, he would travel to the United States for fundraising with the Shadar Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Reitzik. | In parallel with his role as a Mashpia, he continued, following the Rebbe's instructions, in his position as a Shadar (emissary fundraiser) which he would fulfill during the months of Elul - Kislev. In this capacity, he would travel to the United States for fundraising with the Shadar Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Reitzik. | ||
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In 5784, in honor of his yahrzeit, a new book was published by Mamash called Reb Mendel Futerfas. | In 5784, in honor of his yahrzeit, a new book was published by Mamash called Reb Mendel Futerfas. | ||
== For Children == | ==== For Children ==== | ||
Author and illustrator Menachem Taizi published a comics book in 5768 called 'What My Father Told Me' from Reb Mendel's stories and meshalim, after it was published in installments in Torascha Sha'ashuai magazine. | Author and illustrator Menachem Taizi published a comics book in 5768 called 'What My Father Told Me' from Reb Mendel's stories and meshalim, after it was published in installments in Torascha Sha'ashuai magazine. | ||