Our Heroes: Reb Schneur Zalman Vilenkin

Rabbi Schneur Zalman Vilenkin was born in Podobronka, Russia in 1878 * He merited to be the Rebbe’s Melamed in Yekatrinoslav, for which the Rebbe showed much gratitude and honor * He passed away on the 23rd of Iyar, 1963 in New York.

Reb Schneur Zalman Vilenkin was born on the 2nd of Sivan in 1878 in Podobronka, Russia, just a month and half after the birth, and in the same city as Horav Hachossid Hamkubel Reb Levi Yitzchok, the Rebbe’s father.

Reb Zalman grew up with Reb Levi Yitzchok. They studied together in the Chabad-Lubavitch synagogue and quickly developed a shared reputation for diligence in their lessons and for their genius and talents. When Reb Zalman was called up by the Russian Army, the Rebbe RaShaB blessed him and the army did not draft him. In 1900, Reb Zalman married and moved to his wife’s city, Brian, where he was taught by his father-in-law to become a shochet. When Reb Levi Yitzchok became the Rav of Yekatrinoslav in 1909 he made changes in the spiritual life of the city. Hearing that his old friend had became a shochet, and knowing him to be a G-d fearing individual, he offered him the position of shochet. Reb Zalman welcomed the opportunity to move from a small city where it was difficult to live a Jewish lifestyle. He accepted the offer and lived in Yekatrinoslav for thirty-two years, until war between Germany and Russia broke out in 1941.

When Reb Zalman came to Yekatrinoslav, he was unable to step into his new position. Reb Levik suggested that Reb Zalman teach his oldest son, then seven years old and later to become the Rebbe, and his two younger sons, until the position of shochet would become available. Reb Zalman accepted the teaching position and as he later said, did not regret it for a moment.

Reb Zalman becomes a melamed

Reb Zalman taught the children in his own home. Reb Zalman recalled in later years, that as a child, the Rebbe was engrossed in his studies. He was an inward person and generally did not min`gle and socialize with the other children. The Rebbe once asked Reb Zalman a question that was so strong and sharp that he became confused, particularly since it was being asked by such a young child. The Rebbe, an outstanding student, studied separately with Reb Zalman. Reb Zalman had a total of thirteen students, elite local children. One of the children was Reb Nochum Goldshmid, later known as a chossid of great depth who was an expert in clarifying concepts and thought in Chassidic philosophy. The Rebbe later told Reb Zalman, “You can take pride in your students, who today are found all over the world.”

What did the Rebbe learn from Reb Zalman?

What did the Rebbe learn Reb Zalman? On one occasion, when the Rebbe was distributing Mashkeh at a Farbrengen the Rebbe said, “Regarding the person with whom to send the mashkeh, there is someone here I am indebted to because he is the son of my melamed, with whom I studied Mikro, Mishna and Gemoro for many years.” He was Reb Sholom Eliyohu, Reb Zalman’s son.

When a great-grandson was born into the Schapiro family in 1977 and the Rebbe was told that the baby was named after Reb Zalman, he said, “He was my melamed. He was a great Yid. The child should grow up to resemble him”.

Unique Yid

Reb Zalman was a unique Yid, even in comparison to other noteworthy Chassidic figures. Reb Zalman stood out as a person of midas hoemes, an individual of extreme truthfulness, and in his Chassidishkeit, and hiskashrus to the Rebbe. If anyone who would speak badly of another, he would interrupt the conversation and describe the positive qualities of that person. He was an excellent teacher with a clear mind and a wonderful way of explaining concepts. In addition to his knowledge of all aspects of Torah, he was a Gaon in Midos Tovos, and had a good heart and a refined soul.

His oldest daughter, Mrs. Dina Vilenkin-Dubrowsky was born in 1912 and as a child had kidney problems. Her condition was extremely serious and the doctors did not know how to treat her. Reb Zalman traveled to the Reb RaShaB who blessed her with a refua shlaima and a long life. A short while later the illness miraculously disappeared.

Reb Zalman and his family lived in poverty but he was always happy with his share. If he was ever upset, it was because he was unable to travel to see the Rebbe.

Reb Zalman sacrificed himself to prevent his children from attending the government schools which mandated Shabbos attendance. Although busy earning a parnossa, Reb Zalman dedicated time during the days and evenings, including Shabbos, and taught them stories from the Tanach, Medrash and Gemoro including stories of Tzadikim. Reb Zalman did not allow his children to play with the neighbors’ children, in order not to learn their ways.

Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim opened up an underground branch in Yekatrinoslav in 1929, after the yeshivos in Nevel and Kharkov were closed by the government. Forty students studied in the yeshiva, which met in the woman’s section of a shul. Reb Zalman and additional Anash families greeted the students and invited them to their homes. Reb Meir Itkin and Reb Michoel Teitelbaum, later the founder of Yeshiva Oholei Torah, were two of the students.

After 120, when there is nothing to do, one reviews Mishnayos

There was a shul across from Reb Zalman’s house called the shul of the butchers. Reb Zalman spent his spare time studying there. The concept of not utilizing time to study Torah was alien to him. Every moment was filled with learning. Reb Zalman knew the six sections of Mishnayos by heart. In his last years, unable to read, he would study the Mishnayos by heart, saying that after 120 at a time when there is nothing to do, one reviews Mishnayos. He was also orally versed in many Chassidic discourses and would often review them in public. When a new Maamor would arrive from the Previous Rebbe, he would teach it in public. Reb Zalman usually davened in the shul near his house, and would also deliver a shiur in Ayin-Yaakov for the congregants. He was an eloquent speaker and everybody, including simple folk, understood his shiurim. Reb Zalman had a large Sforim library in his house, and as a bochur the Rebbe would frequently come to the house to borrow sforim that he needed.

Many people, non-Lubavitch Chassidim and those from remote areas, would attend the shiur. This brought about a strong enthusiasm from other shuls, and requests came for Reb Zalman to give a shiur in their shul, as well. When Reb Zalman did so, a large contingent of his original shiur members would accompany him. He was very respected by the people in Yekatrinoslav. Every Motzoei Shabbos there was a melave malka in his house with more than twenty people in attendance. Reb Zalman would relay a shiur in Likutei Torah for the assembled. Occasionally, when special guests would arrive such as Reb Michoel Dworkin or other chassidim, they would Farbreng and make an appeal for the Rebbe or for Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim.

Reb Nissan Nemanov once came to raise money for the yeshiva. Aware of the esteem in which Reb Zalman was held, he asked that he assist him with the project. At the time, Reb Zalman suffered from kidney stones, causing him great pain. He told Reb Nissan that he would gladly participate but was unable to because of his condition. Reb Nissan responded, “Since I am an emissary from the Rebbe, therefore I bless you, with the koach of the Rebbe, that the kidney stones should leave.” Reb Zalman recalled, that the stones disappeared that night. The next morning he was able to assist Reb Nissan with his appeal.

Reb Zalman later told numerous stories about Reb Levi Yitzchok. Reb Levik once entered Yechidus with the Rebbe Rashab and the Rebbe asked about his shiurim in Chassidus. Reb Levik answered that he gave a shiur on the series of Chassidic discourses of the year 5666 (1906). The Rebbe asked where he was up to. Reb Levik said he was at page two. The Rebbe asked how long the shiur had been meeting. Reb Levik answered that it was two months. The Rebbe was puzzled and asked “What can one say on the first page that will take two months?!” Reb Levik began to mention his various comments on the Maamor and the Rebbe RaShaB said, “When I wrote the Maamor, I did not think of all these comments but they are true.”

On another occasion, Reb Levik explained a Rashi in the light of Kabbalah. One of the assembled asked Reb Levik, “Does the Rav think that this is what Rashi had in mind when he wrote the commentary?” Reb Levik answered, “I don’t know, but Rashi wrote his commentary with Ruach Hakodesh so surely this explanation is included in the Rashi.”

On the 14th of Kislev in 1929, the Rebbe’s wedding took place in Warsaw. The Rebbe’s parents were unable to attend, since they could not leave Russia. Reb Zalman remembered that in Yekatrinoslav, Reb Levik wrote a telegram to his son, the chosson, of approximately one hundred words. The tablecloth covering the table where he wrote the letter was soaked in tears. The Rebbe’s wedding was celebrated by his parents in their house. Reb Zalman participated. In middle of the dancing, he jumped onto the table and began dancing. “I had the privilege,” he called out, “the great privilege, that my student has become the son-in-law to the king, the Rebbe!”

Reb Zalman left Russia for Paris at the end of Tamuz in 1947, together with his daughter and son-in-law Horav Hagaon Reb Lipe Schapiro. A branch of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim was opened, as in Poking, and Reb Zalman again became a melamed. In his spare time he studied on his own in shul or at home. The Rebbe worked to obtain a visa for his melamed. Reb Zalman received the papers allowing him entry to the U.S. in 1948.

After the histalkus of the Previous Rebbe on Yud Shvat 1950, Chassidim were shocked and did not what to do. After the shiva Reb Zalman participated in a general Pidyon written to the Rebbe, as well as writing a personal pidyon, in which he committed himself completely to the Rebbe. Whenever a new Sicha or Maamor from the Rebbe arrived in Paris, Reb Zalman would say with excitement, “Hashem has, with his generosity, had pity on us and given us our Rebbe”.

Arrival in the U.S.

In 1953, his health improved and Reb Zalman was able to travel to the United States. He received the Rebbe’s consent and blessing for the trip. Accompanied by his oldest daughter and her husband, Reb Meir and Mrs. Dina Dubrowsky, he arrived in the U.S. Upon their arrival, they were instructed by immigration authorities to remain in New York for three days, until their flight to Cleveland, Ohio. Reb Zalman used this occasion to enter into Yechidus with the Rebbe. At the time, two of his sons were still in Russia. He constantly yearned for them and included a request regarding their dire situation.

When Reb Zalman entered into Yechidus with the Rebbe, neither the Rebbe nor Reb Zalman would sit. The Yechidus continued for a long time, and both of them remained standing. Reb Zalman later regretted that because of him the Rebbe stood for more than a half-an-hour.

Over the course of the years in Cleveland, Reb Zalman would occasionally give a shiur in Tanya which was attended by Anash and students of the Telshe Yeshiva. More frequently, his son-in-law, Horav Schapiro would deliver the chassidus shiur.

In 1957, the Rebbe referred the family to a contact who would assist in obtaining the necessary papers for Reb Zalman’s move to New York. Regarding Reb Zalman, the Rebbe said to relay to this contact “I learned from him, and I still remember the pages of the Gemoro that we learned.” In 1959, Reb Zalman successfully moved to New York. Reb Zalman continued giving shiurim in Likutei Torah for Anash in Crown Heights.

During the second Yechidus with the Rebbe, the Rebbe asked Reb Zalman to sit. Reb Zalman said that he really didn’t want to but because of his health he was obliged to. The Rebbe then said, “It does not matter. Approximately fifty years ago, we sat together at one Gemoro, we can also sit together now”. The Yechidus continued for forty-five minutes.

When Reb Zalman entered the Rebbe’s Farbrengens, the Rebbe would rise slightly from his seat out of his respect for his melamed and would wait until Reb Zalman sat down. This also happened when the Reb Zalman needed to leave in the middle of the Farbrengen. There were times that the Rebbe would give Reb Zalman a piece of his cake at the Farbrengen, and sometimes a drink.

On one occasion, Reb Zalman was assisted by a group of people who lifted him over a table. He was very upset that so many people needed to be bothered and exert themselves on his behalf.

His Passing

On Friday, the 16th of Iyar, 1963, Reb Zalman did not feel well. Dr. Seligson visited him and informed the family that Reb Zalman had suffered a stroke that had affected his entire right side. Reb Zalman requested that his grandson, Horav Sholom Ber Schapiro, ask the Rebbe for a brocho. The Rebbe responded, “It should be a Freilichen Shabbos.” The family understood that the situation did not look good. On Friday night, when the Rebbe entered the shul for Kabolas Shabbos, he met Dr. Seligson and discussed Reb Zalman’s condition with him.

On Motzoei Shabbos, the Rebbe called in Rabbi Schapiro and gave him pieces of Matzo, instructing, “Give this to Reb Zalman. If he cannot eat it like this [because it is hard], he can dip it in water and Matzo is a food of remedy.” The Rebbe’s face became serious and he added, “He should have a good week”. On Lag B’omer Reb Zalman’s condition took a turn for the worse. The Rebbe was told that the physicians had advised that Reb Zalman needed a nurse to attend him. The Rebbe paid the costs of employing the nurse. On Thursday night, the 23rd of Iyar, Hachossid Reb Schneur Zalman Vilenkin was nifter.

The levaya took place on Friday afternoon. The Rebbe participated and carried the Aron, an exceptional custom for the Rebbe, and traveled to the Bais HaChaim. The Rebbe told the family that he wanted to pay for the burial plot. Since the family also needed to participate, they should give one dollar.

The next Shabbos at the Farbrengen, the Rebbe said that when a person is buried on Friday afternoon, he is spared from chibut hakever, a harsh punishment that the nifter goes through after the ptira.

When it came time to place the matzeva, the Rebbe participated in a third of the expenses. The Rebbe gave instructions for a large matzeva, not shiny or glossy, without drawn lines or artwork. When the wording for the Matzeva was shown to the Rebbe he commented “Why does it not mention that he studied with Jewish children. I can testify to this”. Reb Yisroel Jacobson, a member of the Chevra Kadisha, entered the Rebbe’s room and was instructed to inscribe on the Matzeva, “He learned with students and merited that the Rebbe HoRaMaM [the Rebbe’s name abbreviated] studied by him”. His resting place is near the holy Ohel.

Reb Zalman was survived by his wife, Mrs. Vilenkin; his daughter, Mrs. Dina Vilenkin-Dubrowsky and her husband Hachosid Reb Meir; his daughter, Mrs. Chana Schapiro, who was nifter in Adar this year, and may he live and be well, her husband, Hachossid Reb Lipe, the Rav in the Ahavas Achim shul, the Empire Shtiebel in Crown Heights; his two sons, Hachossid Reb Yosef and Hachossid Reb Sholom Eliyohu; and may they live and be well, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who are the Rebbe’s shluchim in locations near and far, worldwide.

Yehi Zichro Boruch! May Reb Zalman, a legendary chossid known for his sense of devotion who gave gashmius and ruchnius, and in his practice as a shochet supplied kosher meat to the Yidden of his city and hosted Yidden in his house, physically nourishing them, and as a melamed, devoted many years to the Torah education of his students providing spiritual nourishment for generations to come, who merited that one of his students become Rebbe, and without self-esteem or pride expressed his sense of humility in front of his former student, as the bitul of chossid to Rebbe; serve as the inspiration to commit ourselves to the needs of our fellow-Jews, spiritually and physically, and to acknowledge that we have a zchus and a responsibility to fulfill our mission, and eventually see the fruit of our deeds in full bloom.

We should speedily witness “The ones who dwell in the dust will awaken and rejoice” with Reb Zalman among them.

Adapted from the Kfar Chabad Magazine and Chabad.org