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Rabbi Meir Avtzon: Difference between revisions
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The six-page indictment charged Rabbi Meir and his fellow arrested Chassidim with organizing Jewish education for children in cheders and yeshivas in Malakhovka near Moscow, gathering intellectually capable youth to train as teachers, and teaching Talmud and religious practices. While such charges could have resulted in a death sentence, they mercifully received a relatively light sentence of three years exile in Kazakhstan. | The six-page indictment charged Rabbi Meir and his fellow arrested Chassidim with organizing Jewish education for children in cheders and yeshivas in Malakhovka near Moscow, gathering intellectually capable youth to train as teachers, and teaching Talmud and religious practices. While such charges could have resulted in a death sentence, they mercifully received a relatively light sentence of three years exile in Kazakhstan. | ||
= Leaving Russia = | == Leaving Russia == | ||
In 1946, during the famous Lvov exodus, Rabbi Meir left after marrying his wife Chana, daughter of Rabbi Yehuda Leib Krasik. He traveled under the name Chaim Gastholder, which remained with him long after and appears on letters the Rebbe sent him. | In 1946, during the famous Lvov exodus, Rabbi Meir left after marrying his wife Chana, daughter of Rabbi Yehuda Leib Krasik. He traveled under the name Chaim Gastholder, which remained with him long after and appears on letters the Rebbe sent him. | ||
He continued to France where five more of his children were born, after his first child was born in Russia. | He continued to France where five more of his children were born, after his first child was born in Russia. | ||
= Life in America = | == Life in America == | ||
In 1954, Rabbi Meir reached America and settled in Detroit at the Rebbe's direction, focusing on spreading Judaism especially among Russian immigrants. When his wife's seventh pregnancy began, doctors advised against having more children. Rabbi Meir immediately went to the Rebbe who blessed him to have even more children than his current six. Indeed, nine more children were born afterwards. | In 1954, Rabbi Meir reached America and settled in Detroit at the Rebbe's direction, focusing on spreading Judaism especially among Russian immigrants. When his wife's seventh pregnancy began, doctors advised against having more children. Rabbi Meir immediately went to the Rebbe who blessed him to have even more children than his current six. Indeed, nine more children were born afterwards. | ||
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In 1986, when his wife became ill requiring proper medical care, Rabbi Meir moved to Crown Heights near 770. | In 1986, when his wife became ill requiring proper medical care, Rabbi Meir moved to Crown Heights near 770. | ||
= Publicizing Moshiach = | == Publicizing Moshiach == | ||
In the early years of the Rebbe's leadership, when Rabbi Moshe Dubinsky came fundraising in Detroit, a community activist agreed to help on condition that he tell the Rebbe that Rabbi Meir Avtzon was spreading word that the Rebbe is Moshiach. When Rabbi Moshe later reported this to the Rebbe, the Rebbe responded "What can I do if he means it sincerely?" | In the early years of the Rebbe's leadership, when Rabbi Moshe Dubinsky came fundraising in Detroit, a community activist agreed to help on condition that he tell the Rebbe that Rabbi Meir Avtzon was spreading word that the Rebbe is Moshiach. When Rabbi Moshe later reported this to the Rebbe, the Rebbe responded "What can I do if he means it sincerely?" | ||
Even after 3 Tammuz 1994, he continued vigorously publicizing the Rebbe's message of redemption, participating in Moshiach-related gatherings at Lincoln Center and elsewhere. | Even after 3 Tammuz 1994, he continued vigorously publicizing the Rebbe's message of redemption, participating in Moshiach-related gatherings at Lincoln Center and elsewhere. | ||
= Passing = | == Passing == | ||
In 2002, on 29 Cheshvan, Rabbi Meir was rushed to the hospital for treatment. His condition stabilized after treatment. While his daughter briefly stepped out of the room, he passed away with no one present | In 2002, on 29 Cheshvan, Rabbi Meir was rushed to the hospital for treatment. His condition stabilized after treatment. While his daughter briefly stepped out of the room, he passed away with no one present | ||
= Further Reading = | == Further Reading == | ||
* Meir Avtzon, "Lights in the Darkness" - Rabbi Avtzon's personal story, New York, 1988 | * Meir Avtzon, "Lights in the Darkness" - Rabbi Avtzon's personal story, New York, 1988 | ||
* Yona Avtzon (editor), "Letters to a Chassid" - Letters sent to Rabbi Avtzon by our Rebbes and Chassidim, New York 1996 | * Yona Avtzon (editor), "Letters to a Chassid" - Letters sent to Rabbi Avtzon by our Rebbes and Chassidim, New York 1996 | ||