Saadia Liberow

Rabbi Saadia Liberow (8 Shevat 5660/February 8, 1900 - 5 Nissan 5743/March 19, 1983) was one of the Rebbe's shluchim in Morocco and Antwerp, and a renowned Chassidic mashpia.

Life History[edit | edit source]

Born on 8 Shevat 5660/1900 in Kliadi, Russia, to his father R' Tzvi Hirsh Yehuda Liberow and his mother Mrs. Rivka Sheina.

He studied in Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch in the court of the Rebbe Rashab.

Upon reaching marriageable age, he married Miriam Maryasha Eidelman, daughter of R' Moshe Menachem Mendel and Kreina Devorah.

In 5680/1920, after the histalkus of the Rebbe Rashab, when his son the Frierdiker Rebbe was not feeling well and could not lead the prayers, he asked R' Saadia to pray before the amud and say Kaddish on his behalf.

He left Russia in the 'famous escape' in 5707/1947, from there he arrived in France where he served as a mashpia for Anash and as a fundraising emissary.

After the histalkus of the Frierdiker Rebbe, he immediately connected with the Rebbe, and wrote his letters to the Rebbe with the titles used for a Rebbe. He worked on the matter of the Rebbe's acceptance of the nesius and together with dozens of Chabad chassidim in France signed a letter of hiskashrus on 7 Tishrei 5711/1950.

While in France, the Rebbe wrote to him in a letter from the month of Menachem Av 5710/1950 that he should look into a shlichus in Morocco or Australia.

In the following years, he tried to go on shlichus to Morocco, and despite the difficulties, he obeyed the Rebbe's encouragement and after much effort, in 5713/1953 he went on the Rebbe's shlichus to Morocco.

In later years he traveled on shlichus to Antwerp, Belgium. There he worked extensively with the city's Jews, gave classes in Chassidus and farbrenged with the chassidim in the city.

To this day - decades after his passing - there are many who still speak about the Tanya classes he used to give.

It is said that once while he was walking on the street with his eyes downcast as was his custom, the Rebbe gestured toward him saying to one of the chassidim, "This is how a chassid walks, and if only they would learn from him."

He passed away on 5 Nissan 5743/1983 in Antwerp and was buried on the Mount of Olives near the grave of the author of Toras Chesed.

Biography Book[edit | edit source]

In 5768/2008, the book "Toldos R' Saadia" was published about his life and mesiras nefesh, as written by his grandson, the Chabad researcher Mordechai Tzvi Liberow ("Tz. Mar Dror") from Melbourne, Australia. The first edition was published in honor of the celebration of the completion and dedication of a Sefer Torah in his memory and in memory of his wife by their son Rabbi Shneur Zalman Liberow and his wife Yehudit Liberow. Antwerp, Iyar 5768/2008.

His Family[edit | edit source]

His wife, Mrs. Miriam Marisha Liberow - passed away on 2 Adar II 5760 (2000).

His Brothers and Sister:

His brother, R' Hillel Liberow
His brother, R' Nachum was killed in the Holocaust
His sister, Sima (Ginzburg)

His Sons:

Rabbi Chaim Shmuel Menachem Mendel Liberow - London, England, son-in-law of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Futerfas.
Rabbi Shalom Dov Ber Liberow - Brunoy, France.
Rabbi Alexander Sender Liberow - Manchester, England.
Rabbi Shneur Zalman Liberow - Antwerp, Belgium.

His Daughters:

Mrs. Rivka Sheina, wife of Rabbi Shalom Ber Notik, Yerres, France - passed away on 10 Sivan 5779 (2019).
Mrs. Freida Chana, wife of Rabbi Simcha Tzirkind, one of the Rebbe's shluchim in Canada.
Mrs. Kreina Devorah, wife of Rabbi Shmuel Greenfeld, and had 2 daughters. She passed away at a young age in Antwerp, Belgium, in 5725 (1965).
Mrs. Esther Hadassah - passed away in her youth.

Life History[edit | edit source]

Biography Book[edit | edit source]

His Family[edit | edit source]

Further Reading[edit | edit source]