Yahrzeit of Rabbi Yisroel Aryeh Leib, OBM

Today, Yud Gimmel Iyar, marks the yahrzeit of Rabbi Yisroel Aryeh Leib,OBM, the brother of the Rebbe. Rabbi Yisroel Aryeh Leib was born in Nikolaev on the 16th of Sivan, 5669. That same year, the family moved to Yekatrinaslav, as Rabbi Levi Yitzchok took up the position of Rov of the city. He was known as a genius and child prodigy, and was famous for his diligence.

As a young man visiting with the Rebbe Rayatz, Chassidim enjoyed engaging him in discussions in Nigleh and Chassidus, and challenging him with difficult questions. He was in Berlin with the Rebbe in the pre-WWII days, moving to Eretz Yisroel, where he married. Later on he moved to Liverpool, England, where he passed away on the 13th of Iyar, 5712. The Rebbe arranged his kevurah in Tzfas, and was extremely careful that his mother, Rebbetzin Chanah, should not learn of his passing.

From “A Portrait of a Leader”:

“You knew my brother very well; tell me something you remember about him.” (After sharing many different memorable things with the Rebbe that I experienced with his brother Reb Yisroel Aryeh Leib.). The Rebbe then told me: “He had a very good head, and a very good memory. He passed away at a young age, it’s a pity.”

In honor of Yud Gimmel Iyar, The Yartzeit of the Rebbe’s brother- Reb Yisroel Aryeh Leib, I would like to present memories from Professor Yackov Cohen, who was very close to Reb Yisroel Aryeh Leib.

Professor Yackov Cohen relates:

I am not here to add or say anything new regarding the “Schneerson children” (referring to the Rebbe and his brothers) in regards to how brilliant and talented they are. Besides their knowledge in Torah and Chassidus, they have a tremendous knowledge in mathematics and in other secular studies. I would like to share a conversation that I had with Reb Yisroel Aryeh Leib regarding the Atom bomb. the conversation took place in a Library in Tel Aviv in which he served as one of the Librarian’s until he moved to Liverpool, England.

I remember when in Israel all of the newspapers had different write-ups on the Atom bomb. I asked Yisroel Aryeh Leib his opinion on whether or not it was a good thing. His reply was as follows:

“Yackov The fact that the Atom bomb was revealed can bring destruction to humanity. If one time it will end up in the wrong hands, it can bring terrible destruction to the world. Once it goes off – there is absolutely no control over it.”

He concluded. “I therefore don’t know whether or not the fact that it was revealed is a Bracha to the world, or an extremely dangerous invention.”

Many Tmimim and Anash come to Tzfas to his kever on the yahrzeit.