Shmuel Azimov
Rabbi Shmuel (Muleh) Azimov (1st of Elul 5705 – 12th of Cheshvan 5775) was the head shliach (emissary) to France, an exemplary Chassidic figure, and one of the greatest ba'al teshuvah outreach leaders in the world.
Biography[edit | edit source]
He was born on Rosh Chodesh Elul 5705 to his father Rabbi Chaim Hillel Azimov (son of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Azimov), director of the Chabad Talmud Torah network in Paris, and to his mother Mrs. Risha.
When he concluded his year of Shlichus to Tomchei Temimim Brunoy, he continued, in the work of outreach to youth and spreading Judaism and the wellsprings of Chassidus in Paris.
His wedding to his wife Mrs. Batya, daughter of Rabbi Bentzion Shemtov, took place in 5728. The families from both sides, who were among prominent Chabad activists, tried to persuade the Rebbe to accede to their request to participate in the wedding celebration and conduct the chuppah ceremony. However, the Rebbe replied that he was concerned about an evil eye, and as compensation, he edited the ma'amar (Chassidic discourse) dibur hamaschil 'Ki Tisa' in honor of the wedding.
When he entered for yechidus (private audience) on 24th of Tishrei 5726, the Rebbe told him: "Continue there [in Paris] with additional efforts, and you will have great success, and the meaning of great success is success beyond imagination."
On 2nd of Iyar 5728, he was sent by the Rebbe to Paris to direct the Tzeirei Agudas Chabad branch in Paris. Over the years, he brought thousands closer to Judaism and Chassidus; many of them became full fledged Chabad Chassidim in every sense of the word. He established a network of educational institutions and brought under his guidance dozens of emissaries scattered throughout France and beyond.
Among the many institutions that Rabbi Azimov established were: 'Cheder Lubavitch - Paris' - an institution for purely religious studies (where only Torah subjects are studied throughout the day); Gan Pardes Chana kindergarten; Beis Chana girls' school; Beis Chana boys' school (which also includes secular studies); Beis Chaya Mushka Campus (known as the largest campus in Europe); and 'Beis Lubavitch Paris' - a network of Chabad houses in Paris and its surroundings. The central Chabad house is located in the 9th arrondissement of Paris.
Rabbi Azimov was also responsible for publishing the weekly bulletin called 'La Sidra' ('The Parsha'), distributed in tens of thousands of copies throughout France^ , reaching over eighty percent of the Jews of Paris and its surroundings.
He was renowned for his deep connection and extraordinary devotion to the Rebbe. In his gatherings with his students, he constantly demanded complete dedication to the Rebbe's campaigns, in which he himself engaged with great vigor, and through which he brought thousands (literally) closer to Chabad.
He fulfilled his mission to dedicate himself to the "French Revolution for the Better."[1]
He passed away on 12th of Cheshvan 5775. The funeral procession began in front of his home and passed through the Beis Chaya Mushka campus in Paris, then continued to Jerusalem where he was buried in the Chabad section of Har HaZeisim Cemetery.
Family[edit | edit source]
- His son, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Azimov - head shliach in Paris and its suburbs, director of Beis Lubavitch (Paris) and the Rebbe's emissary to the 16th arrondissement of Paris.
- His son, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Azimov - the Rebbe's emissary to the city of Neuilly-sur-Seine (a Paris suburb), mashpia of the Chabad community in Paris and director of the Chabad cheder in Paris.
- His son-in-law, Rabbi Elchanan Dov Marozov - maggid shiur and respondent in nigleh at Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch Brunoy yeshiva, France, and one of the Rebbe's emissaries to the 5th arrondissement of Paris.
Further Reading[edit | edit source]
- V'Nishamos Ani Asisi (And I Made Souls), the empire of teshuvah that he established in France, within 'Ki Karov' bulletin #93 Parshas Matos 5782, page 6.
- Kfar Chabad Weekly issue #1581, a complete special issue dedicated in his honor.
External Links[edit | edit source]
- Articles and reports about Rabbi Shmuel Azimov
- Activities and letters relating to his wife Mrs. Batya, Teshura Hertz-Azimov 5780
- Letters he received from the Rebbe, within Teshura from the wedding of his descendants Marozov-Grossbeim, 5782
- Rabbi Shmuel ‘Moulé’ Azimov, 69, Headed a Jewish Revival in France and Beyond
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ See the talk of Parshas Chukas, 12th of Tammuz 5749, section 8, note 83. And at the beginning of the special farbrengen held on Motzei 13th of Tishrei 5738 regarding Nigun HaAderes V'HaEmunah (France). Also the talk of Vayeshev 5752.