Weekly Story: Why Haditch?

by Rabbi Sholom DovBer Avtzon

As this Tuesday is Chof Daled Teves, the 206th yahrzeit of the Alter Rebbe, I am posting the following story which is related to why he was interred in Haditch and not in Piena, the village where he was nistalek. The distance between them is around 80 kilometers and it was an extremely long distance to travel especially since it was in middle of a bitter winter and at the end of the war. Unless a great miracle would happen, meaning that they would have kefitzas haderech, they would not arrive there the following day.

Additionally, because of health concerns, the government forbade the transport of anyone who passed away. They were aware that there will be checkpoints along the way etc. and the possibility of being caught and forced to bury him there on the side of the road. So why should they take the risk?

The story behind this is:

Some months after the Alter Rebbe’s histalkus, the Jewish community in Haditch received a letter from the Imperial Government. The Jewish community was informed that the cemetery that they were using was located on land that belonged to the Imperial Government. Since they converted it into a cemetery without permission, all the graves there had to be removed to another location.

The Jewish community was shocked and distressed. It was disrespectful to move one from his eternal rest. So they replied that they were sorry for any misunderstanding; however, their decision to use that plot as a cemetery was definitely done with permission of the local authorities. As evidence, they sent a copy of the permits from the local jurisdiction where it stated clearly that the provincial government bequeathed that parcel of land to the Jewish community of Haditch for this specific purpose .

The Imperial Government replied, “Yes, we see that the provincial government gave you permission, but they mistakenly permitted you to use land that is not theirs. Their parcel is a short distance away and you can reinter your loved ones there. However, they must be removed from the place where they are now buried.”

The provincial government acknowledged that it was their mistake and apologized. They then offered to swap a larger parcel of land to the Imperial Government in order not to violate the dignity and sanctity of the cemetery. However, it was to no avail. The government was firm in its decision, ALL GRAVES MUST BE REMOVED! However, out of their understanding that it wasn’t done intentionally they will extend the time frame in which this has to be done.

The Mitteler Rebbe was informed of the situation, and he was asked what does he prefer to do? Does he want to send someone to move his father or should the community do it?

The Mitteler Rebbe heard that one of his father’s former chassidim  was an important official in the Imperial office that has the final say on this matter. So he decided to send a chossid to plea with that person to leave the Jewish cemetery as is, and accept the provincial government’s offer of swapping parcels of land.

The chossid, Reb Moshe Vilenker, who was a friend of this official when he was by the Alter Rebbe, was chosen to be the representative to discuss and plead with him about this important matter.

Reb Moshe immediately travelled to the capital Petersburg and went to visit the official. Seeing Reb Moshe, he immediately recognized him and granted him an audience. However, as soon as Reb Moshe entered his office he said, “I realize you came to request something of me. But that is not the ways of chassidim. First you will come to my house this evening, where we will farbreng. After the farbrengen, you can present your request.”

He continued,” I realize that you rightfully won’t trust the kashrus of my house. However, I guarantee you that the mashke and farbeisin (the herring, cake and drinks) will be kosher. I will keep them in the wrappers as I received them from a Jewish person and we will use new utensils that will be toiveled. Or if you prefer, and you would be more comfortable, here is some money and you bring everything. “

Saying that, he wrote down his home address and told Reb Moshe that he is looking forward to meeting him at the designated time.

Having no choice, Reb Moshe agreed to this arrangement and arrived at the designated time, hoping that he will be successful in his special mission.

They sat down by the table, sang the Alter Rebbe’s niggunim, and reminisced about their time by the Rebbe. The officer then said, “You notice that I have a beautiful mansion; I am wealthy and have whatever I desire. But you should know the truth is I don’t really enjoy it, not even for a moment.

Yes it sounds strange, but let me tell you why.

Even when I was a talmid by the Rebbe, I had my doubts about the Aibishter, and that is what ultimately caused me to leave and eventually become what I became. However, one time, without explaining his reasons, the Rebbe instructed me to go visit the tzaddik, Reb Aharon Karliner.

Reb Aharon’s custom was that he didn’t accept people in Yechidus as the Rebbe did. But whoever came to him would sit in the beis hamidrash , say Tehillim, or learn and wait until the tzaddik gave him an answer. After I was sitting for some time, the tzaddik entered the beis hamidrash from his room that was adjoining it, and said, ‘Yungerman. Yungerman, epshor fort es is farain a Guht – Young man, Young man, maybe after all there is a G-d.’

When he said this, no one in the room took it as if he answered his question and everyone remained in their place. A few minutes later, he came into the room for a second time and repeated the exact same words. When it repeated itself a third time, I realized he was talking to me and informing me, that notwithstanding my questions and doubts, there can still be a Creator.

So every time I sit down to enjoy something that is forbidden by the Torah, those words come back and haunt me. But I am too weak and don’t have the strength and will power to give up everything I have.”

Some hours later, he said, “Now that we farbrenged, please tell me what is the reason of your coming to visit me?”

When Reb Moshe informed him of the dilemma and showed him the legal papers, he immediately replied, “Only for the Rebbe’s sake, will I agree to accept the offer of the provincial government.”

In the sefer, In the getzahlt fuhn Chabad – In the tent of Chabad, which was published in 1920, by a grandson of a chossid of the Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedek, he notes that his grandfather told him, “Chassidim say that is why the Alter Rebbe expressed some days before his histalkus a desire to be interred in Haditch. He wanted to help all the Jews buried there that their eternal rest not be disturbed. And that was accomplished only because he too was there. So he did a favor for other Jews even after his histalkus.”  

Rabbi Avtzon is a veteran mechanech and the author of numerous books on the Rebbeim and their chassidim He is available to farbreng on Yomei d’pagra in in your community and can be contacted at avtzonbooks@gmail.com

This week’s story is l’eilu nishms Reb Shmuel Yaakov ben Reb Moshe – the 19th of Teves 5779, and Lilluy nishmas Reb Yaakov Boruch ben Reb Shneur Zalman who was born in Hiaditch. His father Reb Zalman together with his family members took care of the Alter Rebbe’s ohel while they lived there .