Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson
| Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born | 25 Adar 5661 |
| Passing | 22 Shevat 5748 |
| Spouse | The Rebbe |
Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson was the daughter of the Rebbe Rayatz and wife of the Rebbe.
Life History[edit | edit source]
Born on Shabbat Kodesh, 25 Adar 5661 to The Rebbe Rayatz and Rebbetzin Nechama Dina in the town of Babinovitch near Liozna. Her grandfather, the Rebbe Rashab, who was outside Russia at the time, sent a telegram to his son the Rebbe Rayatz instructing to name her Chaya Mushka, after the wife of the Tzemach Tzedek, as both her parents were great-grandchildren of the Tzemach Tzedek.
She lived in her parents' home until her marriage, initially in Lubavitch. In 1916 they moved to Rostov, in 1924 to Leningrad, and in 1928 they moved to Riga.
Power of Attorney[edit | edit source]
On 7 Kislev 5685, her father - the Rebbe Rayatz gave her a letter of authorization and power of attorney, granting her unlimited authority to receive money and documents, official and unofficial, registered in his name. She was also authorized to grant this permission to anyone the Rebbetzin deemed appropriate.
In 1927, when her father was arrested, she was the first to inform her future husband, the Rebbe, who spread the news further. After her father was sentenced to exile in Kostrama, she traveled with him from Leningrad to Kostrama, and when they announced his release, she was the first to deliver the news of redemption by phone from Kostrama to her father's apartment in Leningrad.
Wedding[edit | edit source]
The Rebbetzin's engagement to the Rebbe was arranged on 6 Kislev 5689 in Riga.
On 14 Kislev 5689, the Rebbetzin married the Rebbe in Warsaw, Poland, with her father - the Rebbe Rayatz - officiating the wedding. The reception began at 5:00 PM and special guards allowed entry to the Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva Warsaw, where the wedding took place, only to invited guests with admission cards.
At the table where the groom sat were many Rebbes, rabbis and community leaders from across Poland. After the Rebbe Rayatz delivered the discourse "Lecha Dodi Likrat Kallah," the chuppah ceremony was held in the yeshiva courtyard, where more than 5,000 people crowded together.
The attendants were: The Rebbe Rayatz and his wife Rebbetzin Nechama Dina, Rabbi Moshe Hornstein and his wife Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka. During the feast, a gift was distributed to participants - a photocopy of the Alter Rebbe's holy manuscript with explanations in the Rebbe Rayatz's holy handwriting.
Concurrent with the wedding in Warsaw, the wedding was also celebrated in Yekaterinoslav at the home of the groom's parents, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak and Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson.
After the Wedding[edit | edit source]
After the wedding, the Rebbe and Rebbetzin lived in Berlin, and in 1933 they moved to Paris.
During these years, the Rebbetzin served as a 'temporary secretary' for her father the Rebbe Rayatz: she managed funds and executed monetary support transfers according to instructions received from her father, and even signed her father's letters.
After Nazi Germany conquered France, the Rebbe and Rebbetzin moved to Nice in southern France which was under French control.
The Rebbe Rayatz worked extensively to get his daughter and son-in-law out of burning Europe, and after much effort and many months, an American visa was approved for them, which they received on 20 Nissan 5701 at the American consulate in Marseille, France.
Secret Visit[edit | edit source]
After much effort and intervention, the Rebbe and Rebbetzin arrived in Lisbon, Portugal, where they boarded a ship bound for the United States.
On 28 Sivan 5701, they arrived aboard the ship "Serpa Pinta" to the United States - this day was established as a holiday celebrating the miraculous rescue of the Rebbe and Rebbetzin. Only after three days, in the afternoon, did the Rebbe Rayatz send for the Rebbe and Rebbetzin and asked them to enter his room separately.
In 1954, the Rebbetzin made a secret visit of several days to Paris to closely monitor the situation of refugees who were then in Paris. Many of the Chassidim were living in truly cramped conditions. The Rebbetzin cared for their welfare and inquired about the details of their settlement, and even visited the location herself at night without anyone noticing to truly understand the refugees' situation and speak with them. The Rebbetzin cared for them like a true mother for her children. In her words, she demonstrated alongside concern and warmth, also tremendous wisdom.
The Library Trial[edit | edit source]
During the library trial, when the opposing side's lawyer asked the Rebbetzin about her opinion regarding the ownership of her father's books, the Rebbetzin answered that her father and the books belong to the Chassidim! This statement helped win the trial.
Her Passing[edit | edit source]
Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka passed away on 22 Shevat 5748 after a brief illness.
After the Rebbetzin felt unwell, she was rushed to the hospital. Upon arrival, she requested a glass of water, recited the blessing "Shehakol nihiyeh bidvaro" and returned her soul to her Creator.
A massive funeral procession of over 15,000 people was led by rows of police motorcycles, leading the procession to Montefiore Cemetery in Queens, where she was buried near her father, the Rebbe Rayatz. The Rebbe himself composed the text for her tombstone.
Perpetuating Her Memory[edit | edit source]
On the day of her passing, the Rebbe established in her name the ChaM"aSh Fund to provide financial assistance for women's mitzvot - Challah separation, Shabbat candles, and family purity. The fund is managed by Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky and continues to operate today, helping thousands of women achieve educational and social goals.
In the days and months following her passing, the Rebbe often quoted the verse "And the living shall take to heart": the death of a close person should lead to positive actions - following the deceased's ways and initiating actions to elevate their soul.
After the Rebbe called for establishing institutions in her name, "Or Chaya College" was established in Jerusalem in 1989 - a Torah center for women, offering classes in various languages.
About a month after her passing, on 25 Adar (her birthday), the Rebbe announced the Birthday Campaign, whose customs became known at the time, with its crown being the custom of holding farbrengens with good resolutions.
The Rebbe noted the day of the Rebbetzin's passing as a day when a new period began in the leadership of our generation's leader, "when we are already at the end of all refinements, and have even 'polished the buttons', etc., and need only to be ready to receive Moshiach Tzidkeinu."
Her Personality[edit | edit source]
Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka was characterized by great wisdom, utmost modesty, and helped her husband - the Rebbe - in various areas. It is known that she would also assist in reading letters that the Rebbe received.
As the wife of a leader revered by thousands and a learned and wise woman in her own right, the Rebbetzin could have received royal honor, but she despised publicity and avoided all signs of honor. Therefore, very few details were known about her daily life, and throughout her days, she fulfilled "All the glory of the king's daughter is within." Only after her passing did her acquaintances begin to reveal some of her special personality.
Her Customs[edit | edit source]
She would listen to Rabbi Yoel kahn's classes.
She took great interest in the welfare of the young men and married students who transferred from Satmar to Chabad, caring about their future, the quality of relationships of those who transferred, and their matchmaking.
In her later years, she was involved in the Shabbat candle-lighting campaign and was heavily involved in the Ten Yad L'Hakhnasas Kallah organization (helping brides).
The Meaning of Her Name[edit | edit source]
Chaya - means "life," which is taken from the source of life (His essence), and continues in the aspect of the soul until reaching the physical body, which is hinted at in the letter ה - the five outlets of speech that extend to the ten utterances. This also alludes to the totality of the soul's life and is primarily connected to the life force that animates the body through internal investment.
Mushka - is a foreign language name referring to a type of fragrance. The fact that the name is in a foreign language indicates a very lofty refinement, and its reference to fragrance alludes to the encompassing aspect of the soul whose essence is scent.
The gematria of both names is 470 (ע"ת) - which indicates the good times, and also the times that appear outwardly not good, and through the work of "do not sin," these too are transformed to good.
Institutions Established in Her Name[edit | edit source]
- ChaM"aSh Center for Spreading the Wellsprings - a network of Kollelim operating 50 institutions throughout Israel
- Beis Chaya Mushka Crown Heights
- Or Chaya College Jerusalem
- Beis Chaya Mushka (Migdal HaEmek)
- Chaya Mushka Seminary Tzfat
- Beis Chaya Mushka - Elementary School for Girls in Netanya
- Beis Chaya Chabad - Elementary and High School Haifa and Krayot
- Nefesh Chaya Center Institutions Chabad Lubavitch Krayot
- Elementary School for Girls Beis Chaya Chabad Lubavitch Beitar Illit
- Chaya Residences - Day Care Network by Kollel Chabad
- Or Chaya Elementary School Petach Tikvah
- Beis Chaya Mushka Gilo Jerusalem
- Kerem Chaya Mushka - Kiryat Shmona
- Beis Chaya Mushka - Los Angeles
- Beis Chaya Mushka Seminary - Nof Hagalil
- Beis Chaya Mushka - Synagogue and Chabad House in Netanya
- Beis Chaya Mushka - Girls' School Al Taharas Hakodesh - Kfar Chabad
Further Reading[edit | edit source]
- Rabbi CHESED Halberstam tells about his years as an attendant for the Rebbe and Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka - Beis Moshiach Weekly Issue 470
- Memories of attendant Rabbi Halberstam about Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, Ateret Chaya supplement to Beis Moshiach Weekly Issue 1396
- Collection of Holy Letters from the Rebbetzin, for her 120th birthday, 25 Adar 5781
- "Through You, Israel Will Be Blessed" in English. Contains her life history, stories and episodes about the Rebbe's wife and the Rebbe Rayatz's daughter - Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka. The book was collected and edited by Malka Schwartz. The book's title derives from the Rebbe's talks about the date of the Rebbetzin's passing - 22 Shevat 5748. Published in 5764
- "And the Living Shall Take to Heart," collection of life history, memories and stories about Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka. The book was collected, arranged and published by Rabbi Mishael Aronson (Aronbiov). The book's title derives from the Rebbe's talks about the Rebbetzin's passing. Published in 5769
- The Rebbetzin, published by Chabad Women and Girls in the Holy Land, edited by Shalom Magidman, Shevat 5781
- The Righteous Rebbetzin published by the Chassidim Union for Receiving Moshiach, edited by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Tamarin
- My Rebbetzin, 'Nashi' supplement to Kfar Chabad Weekly Issue 1895 page 8
- My Meetings with the Rebbetzin, 'Ateret Chaya' supplement to Beis Moshiach Weekly Parshat Yitro 5780 page 6
- The Rebbetzin and I, interview with attendant's wife Mrs. Shoshana Malka, 'Ateret Chaya' supplement to Beis Moshiach Erev Shabbat Parshat Yitro 5781 page 4
- Historical Miss in the Rebbe and Rebbetzin's House, Beis Moshiach Weekly 23 Shevat 5781 page 52
- Rare Testimonies of the Rebbetzin about the Rebbe, Beis Moshiach Weekly 1249 page 45
- Rabbi Adin Even-Israel, Her True Greatness, Kfar Chabad Weekly 1895 page 35 • Rabbi Shlomo Zarchi, Crown of Her Husband, page 38
- Shneur Zalman Berger, Temporary Secretary, historical review of her role as Rebbetzin as her father the Rebbe Rayatz's secretary, Beis Moshiach Weekly
- Mendy Kortes, "All Children are the Rebbe's Sons," interview with R' Yosef Yitzchak Holtzman and R' Uri Holtzman about visits to the Rebbetzin. Kfar Chabad, Issue 1996, pp. 28-34
- Mendy Kortes, "The Rebbetzin Gave Me a Feeling of Mother" interview with R' Chaim Baruch Halberstam Kfar Chabad, Issue 2045, pp. 24-33
- Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka from "The Rebbetzins", published by Eshel Library
- Rabbi Moshe Ornstein, Her Husband's Heart Trusted in Her, Kfar Chabad Weekly Issue 2054 page 111