Avrohom Dov Hecht: Difference between revisions
Created page with "Rabbi Abraham Dov Hecht was a student of Tomchei Temimim in Otwock, an emissary of both the Previous Rebbe and the Rebbe, who fought strongly for the amendment of the "Who is a Jew" law, and served as the Chairman of the Rabbinical Alliance of America. = Early Life = Rabbi Abraham Dov Hecht was born to Rabbi Joshua Hecht, one of the first Chassidim in the United States, and Mrs. Sarah, daughter of Rabbi Joshua Oster. He began his studies at Rabbi Chaim Berlin Yeshiva i..." |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
Rabbi Abraham Dov Hecht was a student of Tomchei Temimim in Otwock, an emissary of both the Previous Rebbe and the Rebbe, who fought strongly for the amendment of the "Who is a Jew" law, and served as the Chairman of the Rabbinical Alliance of America. | Rabbi Abraham Dov Hecht was a student of Tomchei Temimim in Otwock, an emissary of both the Previous Rebbe and the Rebbe, who fought strongly for the amendment of the "Who is a Jew" law, and served as the Chairman of the Rabbinical Alliance of America. | ||
= Early Life = | == Early Life == | ||
Rabbi Abraham Dov Hecht was born to Rabbi Joshua Hecht, one of the first Chassidim in the United States, and Mrs. Sarah, daughter of Rabbi Joshua Oster. | Rabbi Abraham Dov Hecht was born to Rabbi Joshua Hecht, one of the first Chassidim in the United States, and Mrs. Sarah, daughter of Rabbi Joshua Oster. | ||
He began his studies at Rabbi Chaim Berlin Yeshiva in the Brownsville neighborhood of New York City. After several years, he joined his two brothers, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman and Rabbi Moshe Yitzchak, studying at Torah Vodaath Yeshiva in Williamsburg. | He began his studies at Rabbi Chaim Berlin Yeshiva in the Brownsville neighborhood of New York City. After several years, he joined his two brothers, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman and Rabbi Moshe Yitzchak, studying at Torah Vodaath Yeshiva in Williamsburg. | ||
= Introduction to Chabad = | == Introduction to Chabad == | ||
His connection to Chabad Chassidism began when his brother, Shlomo Zalman, encouraged him to join a Tanya class taught by Rabbi Israel Jacobson. Rabbi Israel had arrived in Brownsville shortly after the Hecht family and quickly became involved in community life, actively spreading Chassidic teachings in various yeshivas. The Hecht brothers became regular visitors at Rabbi Israel's home. | His connection to Chabad Chassidism began when his brother, Shlomo Zalman, encouraged him to join a Tanya class taught by Rabbi Israel Jacobson. Rabbi Israel had arrived in Brownsville shortly after the Hecht family and quickly became involved in community life, actively spreading Chassidic teachings in various yeshivas. The Hecht brothers became regular visitors at Rabbi Israel's home. | ||
In 1939, a group of students prepared to travel to Otwock to study with the Previous Rebbe, joining his brother Rabbi Shlomo Zalman (and his wife) and two other students who had traveled earlier that year. The group included Rabbi Abraham Dov, five other friends, and Rabbi Israel Jacobson. | In 1939, a group of students prepared to travel to Otwock to study with the Previous Rebbe, joining his brother Rabbi Shlomo Zalman (and his wife) and two other students who had traveled earlier that year. The group included Rabbi Abraham Dov, five other friends, and Rabbi Israel Jacobson. | ||
= Journey to Otwock = | == Journey to Otwock == | ||
Those were pre-World War II days, and parents strongly opposed this dangerous journey. One group member, Mordechai Fischer, wrote to the Previous Rebbe that the trip was canceled due to parental concerns. The Previous Rebbe quickly responded that there was nothing to fear. | Those were pre-World War II days, and parents strongly opposed this dangerous journey. One group member, Mordechai Fischer, wrote to the Previous Rebbe that the trip was canceled due to parental concerns. The Previous Rebbe quickly responded that there was nothing to fear. | ||
| Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
On Wednesday, Rosh Chodesh Elul, the group reached their destination in Otwock, Poland. The group was received by the Yeshiva head, Rabbi Yehuda Eber, and the senior students. Two days later, on Friday afternoon, the group members had a private audience with the Previous Rebbe and merited to hear a Chassidic discourse. | On Wednesday, Rosh Chodesh Elul, the group reached their destination in Otwock, Poland. The group was received by the Yeshiva head, Rabbi Yehuda Eber, and the senior students. Two days later, on Friday afternoon, the group members had a private audience with the Previous Rebbe and merited to hear a Chassidic discourse. | ||
= Return to America = | == Return to America == | ||
Less than a week after Rabbi Abraham and his friends arrived at the Rebbe, they received instructions from the American Embassy to leave Polish soil. | Less than a week after Rabbi Abraham and his friends arrived at the Rebbe, they received instructions from the American Embassy to leave Polish soil. | ||
| Line 29: | Line 29: | ||
In Massachusetts, Rabbi Abraham opened a yeshiva and Torah institutions, personally engaging in fundraising for the institutions. | In Massachusetts, Rabbi Abraham opened a yeshiva and Torah institutions, personally engaging in fundraising for the institutions. | ||
= Syrian Community Rabbi = | == Syrian Community Rabbi == | ||
In the summer of 1945, Rabbi Abraham went with his wife on vacation in the mountains. The vacation village had one synagogue, shared by both Ashkenazi and Sephardic communities. | In the summer of 1945, Rabbi Abraham went with his wife on vacation in the mountains. The vacation village had one synagogue, shared by both Ashkenazi and Sephardic communities. | ||
| Line 38: | Line 38: | ||
Alongside leading the Syrian community, he firmly managed the Rabbinical Alliance of America and invested great energy in amending the unfortunate "Who is a Jew" law, utilizing his extensive connections with government leaders in Israel, ministers, members of Knesset, and others. | Alongside leading the Syrian community, he firmly managed the Rabbinical Alliance of America and invested great energy in amending the unfortunate "Who is a Jew" law, utilizing his extensive connections with government leaders in Israel, ministers, members of Knesset, and others. | ||
= Passing = | == Passing == | ||
Rabbi Abraham Dov passed away on Sunday, 24 Tevet 5773 (2013). He was buried in Montefiore Cemetery in Queens, New York. | Rabbi Abraham Dov passed away on Sunday, 24 Tevet 5773 (2013). He was buried in Montefiore Cemetery in Queens, New York. | ||
= Family = | == Family == | ||
His children: | His children: | ||
| Line 56: | Line 56: | ||
His grandchild: Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor - Rebbe's emissary and Chief Rabbi of Thailand | His grandchild: Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor - Rebbe's emissary and Chief Rabbi of Thailand | ||
= Further Reading = | == Further Reading == | ||
* His life story in English in his book: "My Spiritual Journey: An Autobiography," 2006 | * His life story in English in his book: "My Spiritual Journey: An Autobiography," 2006 | ||
* "At Age Eighty," jubilee book in his honor published by the Rabbinical Alliance of America, 2002 | * "At Age Eighty," jubilee book in his honor published by the Rabbinical Alliance of America, 2002 | ||
= External Links = | == External Links == | ||
* David Zaklikovsky, "The Chabad Rabbi Who Led Sephardic Communities" (English) on Chabad.org | * David Zaklikovsky, "The Chabad Rabbi Who Led Sephardic Communities" (English) on Chabad.org | ||
* Rabbi Hecht and the Rebbe video collection on Chabad.org | * Rabbi Hecht and the Rebbe video collection on Chabad.org | ||