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The Rebbe Rayatz: Difference between revisions

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On Tuesday 17th of Elul, the Rebbe Rashab selected eighteen students who would form the first nucleus of the new Tomchei Tmimim under the direction of the Rebbe Rayatz.
On Tuesday 17th of Elul, the Rebbe Rashab selected eighteen students who would form the first nucleus of the new Tomchei Tmimim under the direction of the Rebbe Rayatz.


== Managing Tomchei Tmimim ==
== Menahal of Tomchei Tmimim ==
Immediately after the Sheva Brachos of the Rebbe Rayatz, at which the Rebbe Rashab announced the opening of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim, in 5658, the Rebbe Rayatz was appointed as its active director.
Immediately after the Sheva Brachos of the Rebbe Rayatz, at which the Rebbe Rashab announced the opening of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim, in 5658, the Rebbe Rayatz was appointed as its active director.


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In Riga, the Frierdiker Rebbe achieved great accomplishments in communal matters, particularly for the Jews of Soviet Russia.
In Riga, the Frierdiker Rebbe achieved great accomplishments in communal matters, particularly for the Jews of Soviet Russia.
== Continued Achievements and Leadership in Riga ==
In Riga, the Frierdiker Rebbe focused on rebuilding and strengthening Jewish education and communal life. Despite the hardships faced by Soviet Jewry, his correspondence with chassidim in the Soviet Union became a lifeline for their spiritual survival. Through secret channels, he encouraged them to continue observing Torah and mitzvos under the most challenging conditions.


== Establishment of Educational Institutions ==
== Leaving Russia ==
The Frierdiker Rebbe established and expanded the Tomchei Temimim yeshiva network outside of Soviet borders, emphasizing the importance of training students who would become emissaries (shluchim) to spread Yiddishkeit globally.
After Simchat Torah 5688 (1927), the Rebbe Rayatz left Russia for Latvia, moving Chabad's center from Russia to Latvia.
== Worldwide Influence ==
The Frierdiker Rebbe's influence extended far beyond the borders of Latvia. He maintained active correspondence with Jewish leaders and communities across Europe and the United States, offering guidance and support.


== American Rescue Mission ==
On Simchat Torah before the departure, many chassidim came to the Rebbe's home in Leningrad to bid farewell. After Simchat Torah, he boarded a train leaving Russia, with thousands of chassidim at the station knowing communication would be limited under Communist rule.
During the 1930s, recognizing the growing danger posed by the rise of Nazism in Germany, the Frierdiker Rebbe worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the plight of European Jewry. His efforts included fundraising, lobbying world leaders, and strengthening Jewish identity to combat the spiritual decline caused by assimilation and persecution.
== The Move to the United States ==
In 1940, the Frierdiker Rebbe and his family managed to escape the horrors of the Holocaust and arrived in the United States. His arrival marked a new chapter in Chabad's history, as he established the movement's headquarters in Brooklyn, New York.
== Transforming American Jewry ==
The Frierdiker Rebbe took on the monumental task of rekindling the flame of Yiddishkeit in America. Many Jews at the time were succumbing to assimilation, and Jewish observance was on the decline. Undeterred, the Frierdiker Rebbe launched a series of initiatives to strengthen Jewish education and observance in the United States, including:


* Founding yeshivos and day schools to educate the next generation.
The Rebbe traveled with his family and many books, arriving in Riga, Latvia's democratic capital, where he settled temporarily.
* Publishing books and pamphlets to spread Torah knowledge and inspire deeper Jewish commitment.
* Sending emissaries to establish Chabad centers in cities and communities across America.


== Final Years and Legacy ==
== First Visit to Warsaw, Poland ==
In his final years, the Frierdiker Rebbe’s health began to decline due to the immense physical and emotional toll of his decades-long leadership. Despite his frailty, he continued to guide Chabad-Lubavitch with extraordinary determination, delivering sichos (talks) and directing communal activities through letters and audiences.
Upon arriving in Riga, Warsaw's Chabad chassidim requested the Rebbe establish his residence in Poland, then the largest Jewish center. The Rebbe initially agreed only to a short visit, arriving on 28 Shevat 5688 (1928). He spent two weeks in Poland and Lithuania, including a Purim farbrengen attended by hundreds of Jews including Anash and Tmimim.


On Yud Shevat, 5710 (January 28, 1950), the Frierdiker Rebbe passed away in New York. His histalkus marked the end of an era of relentless struggle for Jewish survival in the face of persecution and assimilation. His life’s work laid the foundation for the global Chabad-Lubavitch movement we see today.
== Visit to Eretz Yisrael ==
On 2 Menachem Av 5689 (1929), the Rebbe Rayatz arrived in Eretz Yisrael to pray at tzaddikim's graves, since he could no longer visit Chabad Rebbes' graves. He immediately went to Jerusalem and then to other holy sites.
 
During his visit, he met important rabbis including R' Yosef Chaim Zonnenfeld, Jerusalem's Chief Rabbi, and R' Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, Chief Rabbi of Eretz Yisrael.
 
One notable visit was to Chevron, where Jewish residents welcomed him. Through R' Eliezer Dan Slonim's connections with Arab authorities, special permission was granted for the Rebbe and three escorts to enter Me'arat HaMachpelah. Arab dignitaries explained about the site and graves. The visit was particularly moving and quiet. The Rebbe also visited Chabad's community in Chevron.
 
The Rebbe visited: Afula, Tiberias, Tzfat, Meron, Tel Aviv, Bnei Brak, and Petach Tikva.
 
On 16 Menachem Av 5689, a farewell ceremony began in Tel Aviv, with 15 buses accompanying the Rebbe to Lod train station. About 500 people gathered in a special hall provided by the railway management. Before departing, the Rebbe addressed the crowd, quoting the Talmudic saying about parting with words of halacha.
 
The Rebbe traveled by train with Chabad rabbis and elders to Rechovot station, then continued to Egypt en route to America.
 
Just one week after his departure, the 5689 riots erupted, which he had foreseen during his visit, as he later wrote about seeing visions of blood stains in Eretz Yisrael's air.
 
== Initial Visit to America (1929-1930) ==
After visiting Eretz Yisrael, the Rebbe Rayatz visited America at his chassidim's request, arriving on 12 Elul 5689 (1929).
 
He stayed in Crown Heights at Anshei Achim Tzemach Tzedek synagogue, later moving to a rented apartment on Brooklyn Avenue. Five days after arrival, he called a meeting to begin strengthening Judaism in America and gathering aid for Russian Jewry and Chabad institutions in Poland.
 
He spent Rosh Hashanah 5690 in Brownsville and Yom Kippur in Crown Heights. The Rebbe briefly visited the Bronx but returned to Crown Heights until traveling to Philadelphia in Kislev.
 
On 25 Tishrei, he held a special farbrengen organizing Agudas Chassidei Chabad of America. He farbrenged in Williamsburg on Rosh Chodesh Kislev and in the Bronx on 10 Kislev.
 
== City Visits ==
The Rebbe visited:
 
* Philadelphia: 13 Kislev-12 Tevet
* Baltimore: Held grand reception with thousands attending
* Washington DC: Brief visit on 27 Tevet
* Chicago: 11 Shevat-mid Nissan, reception with 5,000 attendees
* Milwaukee: 9-12 Adar
* St. Louis
* Boston: 19 Sivan-3 Tammuz
* Worcester and Springfield
 
He returned to Europe on 21 Tammuz 5690 (1930).
 
== In Poland ==
In 5693 (1933), the Rebbe moved from Riga to Warsaw, and in 5695 (1935) to Otwock for health reasons.
 
He engaged in public work benefiting Judaism, especially Russian Jews, raising funds for Pesach provisions. He enlisted support from dozens of rabbis and public figures across Europe, Eretz Yisrael and America during his travels.
 
== In Poland - Support Activities ==
The Rebbe Rayatz actively supported Jews in Russia, organizing aid through R' Yechezkel Feigin and R' Chaim Lieberman in Poland, and R' Yisrael Jacobson in America.
 
== During World War II ==
In 5699 (1939), after WWII began, the Rebbe left Otwock for Warsaw, moving between houses during German bombardments. After Nazi occupation, he stayed with R' Yechiel Zvi Gurary. Despite rumors of his death, he survived.
 
Agudas Chassidei Chabad in America worked to rescue him. Through American government contacts and Admiral Wilhelm Canaris, they arranged his escape. The Rebbe requested twenty additional people join his family's evacuation. On 2 Teves 5700 (1939), they escaped through Berlin to Riga, arriving 5 Teves. On 24 Adar 5700, they left for Stockholm, Sweden.
 
== Arrival in America ==
On 9 Adar II 5700 (1940), after twelve days at sea, the Rebbe arrived on the Drottningholm with his wife Rebbetzin Nechama Dina and mother Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah. Due to regulations, they waited until morning to disembark.
 
Thousands of chassidim welcomed him at the pier. The crowd proclaimed "Shalom Aleichem" and some recited Shehecheyanu. Jewish organizations and city representatives attended. The Rebbe initially stayed at the Greystone Hotel in Manhattan.
 
== Establishing Tomchei Tmimim ==
At his welcome reception, the Rebbe announced the opening of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch in America at the Oneg Shabbat synagogue. His first message was "America is no different."
 
== 770 ==
On 12 Av 5700 (1940), 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights was purchased as the Rebbe's residence and synagogue. He moved in on 19 Elul, with inauguration on 21 Elul.
 
== Activities in America ==
The Rebbe established Agudas Chassidei Chabad in Eretz Yisrael in Tammuz 5701 (1941) to promote Chassidus study and farbrengens.
 
== Torah Scroll of Moshiach ==
On 23 Tishrei 5702 (1941), he announced writing a Torah scroll for Moshiach, funded personally. Writing began 2 Iyar 5702 but paused until completion on 9 Shevat 5730 (1970).
 
== Holocaust Rescue Work ==
During WWII, the Rebbe worked extensively to:
 
* Rescue Jews from Europe
* Send food packages
* Save Tomchei Tmimim students
* Rescue the Rebbes of Gur and Belz
* Help students reach Shanghai
 
=== Sweden Operations ===
Special rescue operations through neutral Sweden involved R' Yaakov Yisrael Zuber and R' Yisrael Chesdan, who obtained nearly 3,000 Japanese visas for students.
 
== Post-War Activities ==
 
* 5708 (1948): Rescued Jewish children hidden with Dutch non-Jewish families
* Established Tomchei Tmimim yeshivas across America, Europe, and Eretz Yisrael
* 21 Iyar 5709 (1949): Founded Kfar Chabad
* Helped refugees settle in America, Israel, and other countries
 
== US Citizenship ==
On 16 Adar 5709 (1949), a special US government delegation granted the Rebbe citizenship at home through special legislation. The Rebbe wore silk garments and shtreimel, gave a short talk about spreading Judaism from America, and raised his hand in allegiance.
 
== Passing ==
The Rebbe suffered greatly in his later years, with difficulty walking and speaking from 5690 (1930). He passed away on 10 Shevat 5710 (1950) at 8am. His funeral on 11 Shevat drew tens of thousands to Montefiore Cemetery in Queens, where an ohel was built.
 
== Morocco Activities ==
The Rebbe continued his father's work with Sephardic Jews through shluchim. Before his passing, he initiated sending R' Michael Lipsker to Morocco, though this was implemented after his passing by the next Rebbe.
 
== Educational Network ==
In 5712 (1952), the Rebbe instructed establishing Reshet Ohalei Yosef Yitzchok schools in Israel, similar to Morocco. Many institutions worldwide now bear his name.
 
== Family ==
 
* Daughter Chana - wife of R' Shmarya Gurary
* Daughter Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka - wife of the Rebbe
* Daughter Rebbetzin Sheina Horenstein HY"D - wife of R' Menachem Mendel Horenstein HY"D, both perished in the Holocaust
 
== Works ==
The Rebbe Rayatz wrote extensively, documenting what he heard from his father, family members and elder chassidim, some as "Reshimos" and some as stories like "Sefer HaZichronos":
 
* Sefer HaMaamarim
* Sefer HaSichos
* Sefer HaZichronos
* Igros Kodesh
* Kuntres Admur HaTzemach Tzedek V'Tenuvas HaHaskala - About the Tzemach Tzedek's battle with maskilim
* Kuntres Divrei Yemei HaChozrim
* Hisyasdus Agudas Yisroel
* Likkutei Dibburim - Collection of talks published by Hatamim, rearranged in 5 volumes
* Kuntres Klalei HaChinuch V'Hadrcha
* Kuntres Toras HaChassidus - Brief explanation of Chassidus and prayer, published 5706 (1946)
* Kuntres Limud HaChassidus - About everyone's obligation to study Chassidus
* Kovetz Michtavim Al Amiras Tehillim - About saying Tehillim, printed in Tehillim Ohel Yosef Yitzchak
 
== Secretaries ==
 
* R' Chaim Mordechai Aizik Chodokov
* R' Alter Dober Chaskind
* R' Chaim Lieberman
* R' Nissan Mindel
* R' Elchonon Dov Morozov
* R' Eliyahu Yeichil Simpson
* R' Yechezkel Feigin
* R' Eliyahu Kvint
* R' Chaim Shneur Zalman Kozliner
* R' Moshe Leib Rodshtein
* R' Nachum Shmarya Sossonkin
 
== See Also ==
 
* The Ohel
* Prayers during the Holocaust by the Rebbe Rayatz
* The Rebbe and the German Officer (film)
 
== Further Reading ==
 
* R' Shneur Zalman Hertzel: Nisuei HaNesiim Vol 1, Chapter on Rebbe Rayatz's Wedding
* R' Sholom Dovber Levin: Toldos Chabad B'Russia HaTzaris, Kehot, NY 5770
* Sefer HaToldos - The Rebbe Rayatz, by R' Avraham Chanoch Glitzenstein
* R' Asher Zelka Rand: "R' Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn", Toldos Anshei Shem Vol 1
* R' Menachem Ziegelboim: Estalak Yekara, The Passing of the Rebbe Rayatz pg 207
* R' Y.Y. Greenberg & R' E.Y. Zaklikovsky: Yemei Breishis, The Passing of the Rebbe Rayatz
* Shneur Zalman Berger: Toldos Chabad in Petersburg
* Raboseinu Nesienu - The Rebbe Rayatz
* HaNassi HaShishi - R' Menachem Ziegelboim
* Chasdei Yisroel - Biography of R' Yisroel Chesdan
* Journey of the Rebbe to the Holy Land - R' David Zev Rotenberg
* Morocco Mission: R' SZ Berger, Chabad in Morocco
* Album B'Mistorim - Ashkila Publishers
* Heavenly Visions - Collection from his writings
* When the Rebbe Smiles - Beis Moshiach weekly
* Various articles from Beis Moshiach and HaTamim magazines on the Rebbe Rayatz's activities
* Chabad in the Holocaust series by SZ Berger - About rescue efforts and spiritual activities
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