Yitzchak Meir Gurary

Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Gurary (born 1941) is the head Mashpia at Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Montreal.

Life History

Born in Crown Heights on the 18th of Teves 1941 to his father Rabbi Shneur Zalman Gurary. His mother Chava was the daughter of the Kopyshnitzer Rebbe.

He spent his childhood and youthful years in the presence of our Rebbeim in the Lubavitch court at 770. In 1960, he was sent by the Rebbe to Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Montreal to serve as one of the "branches of the menorah" to strengthen the learning atmosphere in the yeshiva. In 1962, he was sent for another year of shlichus, this time with the Rebbe directing him to Eretz Hakodesh at Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Lod.

During his bochur years, he merited detailed guidance and close spiritual mentoring regarding difficulties he faced in avodas Hashem. The Rebbe dedicated significant time to answer his questions in letters and yechidus, and even edited the notes he wrote for himself from what he heard from the Rebbe during yechidus.

On the 11th of Adar 1964, he married his wife Chana Rivka, daughter of Rabbi Mordechai Dov Altein. After his marriage, he entered the Kollel Avreichim under the Rebbe's secretariat. Mid-year, he received an offer to serve as mashpia at Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Montreal, and after the Rebbe's approval, he moved there with his wife and was appointed as head mashpia, making sure to report to the Rebbe about the spiritual progress of his students and those he influenced.

For many years, he regularly brought lulavim, hadassim, and aravos to the Rebbe on Erev Sukkos, so the Rebbe could choose the best ones for his arba minim. This practice continued even while serving as mashpia in Montreal.

Although his father wanted to pay his salary to ease the financial burden on the Montreal yeshiva administration, the Rebbe instructed him to continue receiving his salary from the yeshiva administration since a person needs to receive money through work and not as a free gift.

Brothers-in-Law

• Rabbi Avraham Altein - The Rebbe's shliach in Winnipeg, Canada and member of the Chassidus Mevueres editorial board on Tanya
• Rabbi Yaakov Leib Altein - author of the Chassidus Mevueres series and member of Vaad L'Hafatzas Sichos
• Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Pinson - The Rebbe's shliach in Nice, France
• Rabbi Akiva Cohen - Rosh Yeshiva of Tomchei Tmimim Manchester
• Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Zalmanoff - among the rabbonim of Machon Halacha Chabad
• Hatomim Yosef Yitzchak Altein (passed away in his youth from illness)

Children:

• Rabbi Mendel Gurary - shliach in Antwerp
• Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heschel Gurary - shochet in Montreal and director of Camp Pardes Chana for girls
• Rabbi Moshe Gurary - chief editor at Or HaChassidus Institute, Crown Heights
• Rabbi Shmuel Gurary - mashpia at Yeshivas Ohr Elchanan Chabad Los Angeles
• Rabbi Yisroel Gurary - Los Angeles
• Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh Gurary - Montreal (The Daily Sicha)
• Rabbi Nosson Gurary - shliach in Simi Valley, California
• His son-in-law, Rabbi Yehoshua Marzow - Crown Heights
• His son-in-law, Rabbi Yosef Lerman - shliach in Gwinnett, Georgia, USA
• His son-in-law, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Karf - Toronto, Canada
• His son-in-law Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneor - Crown Heights
• His son-in-law, Rabbi Yaakov Shusterman - shliach in Flanders, New Jersey

His Works:

• A booklet collecting excerpts of maamorim, sichos and letters from our Rebbeim with explanations
• Notes on Shaar HaYichud V'HaEmunah

Further Reading:

• "One Who Dedicates Himself to the King Receives the Treasures" - Kfar Chabad Weekly 1893 page 27