Weekly Story: Tomchei Tmimim in Poland
by Rabbi Sholom DovBer Avtzon
As a continuation of posting the notes that I am collecting for the biography of the Frierdiker Rebbe, as a preparation for Yud Shevat, I am sharing some details about the yeshiva that was established in Poland, while he was still in Russia. Your comments and knowledge will help me present a clearer picture, so please do share them with me.
Concerning last weeks’ post about the Release Time, I was informed that this participation in the Release Time program was a valuable help to many of the instructors a year later when the Frierdiker sent them to open up day schools in the various cities. They knew how to speak to parents about registering their children, and weren’t discouraged from going door to door. Additionally, they saw the success it ultimately had, so they too can experience it in their new place.
Tomchei Tmimim Warsaw
The Lubavitcher chassidim who lived in Poland wanted to maintain their connection to the Rebbe and the ways of Lubavitch. However, with the communist in control of Russia, it was difficult and dangerous to visit the Rebbe. Sometime during the year after the histalkus of the Rebbe Rashab, they decided to create a branch of Tomchei Tmimim in Warsaw. This way they would at least have the atmosphere of Lubavitch.
They officially began the Yeshiva on Beis Nissan 5681 (1921), the first yahrzeit of the Rebbe Rashab. However, the learning only began shortly after Pesach.
The way the Yeshiva began was described by Reb Meir Shlomo Blizinsky, who was one of the original ten students. He notes, “I joined the yeshiva Mesilas Yisroel after Pesach 5680 (1920). One day an elderly chossid, Reb DovBer (Berel) Moshe Shmotkin, sat down and offered to learn with us Tanya.
These classes went on for almost a year. But after Purim, 5681 (1921), The Rosh Yeshiva informed us that he won’t allow Rabbi Shmotkin to continue visit the yeshiva and learn with us Chassidus Chabad. We replied that we are enjoying those classes and wish for them to continue.
When we mentioned this dilemma to Reb Berel, who happened to be a successful merchant, he said, So we will make our own Yeshiva. I will cover all expenses. He told us that the new yeshiva will be in the Beis Hamidrash on 30 Frantziskany .
Initially, the only one that gave a shiur was Reb Berel,[1] who taught Tanya every evening, the rest of the day we learned on our own. Two weeks later, Reb Boruch Friedman,[2] who had learned in Tomchei Tmi im in Lubavitch began giving shiurim in Chassidus.
Being that the borders were closed there was no easy way of informing the Rebbe that they established a yeshiva, and only after three months in the beginning of Tammuz was the Rebbe informed.
This news gave him tremendous happiness.[3] To help it develop into a yeshiva in the spirit of Tomchei Tmimim, he sent the Reb Alter Simchovitch[4] to serve as the mashpia there.[5] However, the borders were officially closed and only with tremendous self-sacrifice, did Reb Alter manage to “illegally” cross over the border, and finally arrived in Warsaw, shortly before Pesach.[6]
Once he arrived and became the official mashpia, the level of understanding and learning Chassidus was noticeably elevated.[7] Around that time, Reb Moshe DovBer Rivkin became the maggid shiur in Nigleh.[8]
The success of the yeshiva can be seen by/from its tremendous growth. In less than two years, the student body was more than one hundred and they moved down the block to larger quarters. Two years later, they rented the adjoining building for the ever growing student count of three hundred students. [9]The following year, the entire yeshiva moved to a large building, where they remained for ten years,[10] until the yeshiva moved to Otvock.
Warsaw was a chassidishe city, with many chadorim and Yeshivos. But they all recognized the Yiras Shomayim of the Tmimim and the elevated level of their lerning, and therefore they encouraged many of their own chassidim to go Tomchei Tmimim.[11]
Although the Rebbe was in Russia, being that he was the menahel Poel of the yeshiva, he would receive from time to time a list of all of the students with specific details about their learning and family. At the same time, he would send them specific letters in regard to what is expected of a Tomim as well as instructing them to learn certain maamaorim, which he would send a copy of.
The Rebbe Visits the Yeshiva.
Once the Rebbe left Russia and went to Riga, Latvia the chassidim in Poland requested the Rebbe to settle in Poland (or at least to visit there). Their reasoning was that many cities of Lithuania, where many Chabad chassidim and former Tmimim live, are now part of Poland. Therefore it would be much more convenient for everyone if the Rebbe would live in Poland.
The Rebbe responded, “Concerning their proposition of settling in Poland, while their reasoning is correct, however for various reasons, (which he did not want to divulge), it is not possible.” Then three weeks later, the Rebbe informed them that he will visit them, however, it will be later on in the year, as now due to his frail health and the overwhelming amount of work he can’t come right then.
In middle of Shevat, the Rebbe wrote that although he is still weak and in great pain, nevertheless his desire to see the chassidim and the Yeshiva is stronger and he will come.
The Rebbe left Riga on Sunday, the 28th of Shevat, via the train. At the border station of Dvinsk, the Rebbe was asked, by the first group of chassidim that came to greet him, do the Jews still learn Torah in Russia. The Rebbe replied, [We say in Tehillim][12] Kein Bakodesh chahziseecho, which is explained to mean, If only we would conduct ourselves in places where we can learn Torah with the same devotion as those who learn in difficult situations.”
He was in Warsaw for two weeks. On Thursday evening, the 9th of Adar, the Rebbe came to the Yeshiva. He first went to the offices and looked at the records of the students as well as of the financial situation. He then entered each class and the zal (beis hamidrash). Seeing the bochurim learning with zeal, he remarked to the mashgiach, RECHUSH ATZMI YUFUH/a rich /beautiful asset. He then went to the third floor which was the dormitory and remarked, The students deserve better.
When he returned to his house a few hours later, he said to the chassidim, He was moved by what he witnessed. You have no idea of the extent of your accomplishment. I was appointed by my father to be the director of the yeshiva. If I would have given him this, I would have received an outstanding achievement reward!
The following days each student had an opportunity to have yechidus with the Rebbe.
On Purim around two in the afternoon the Rebbe came to the yeshiva and farbrenged with the students. The farbrengen went on for twelve hours. After the farbrengen the Rebbe said to the administration, “I didn’t think that the yeshiva would be on such a high level, this is my father’s accomplishment!”
During the following two weeks he also visited the branch of Tomchei Tmimim in Vilna, and returned to Riga on the 28th of Adar. In his letters, he notes that he is exhausted from these five weeks, however, it gave him tremendous oneg (delight), seeing the talmidim.
When he returned to Riga, he sent a letter to Agudas Chassidei Chabad in America, lauding the accomplishments of the yeshiva, and pleading with them to help it grow even more.[13] He also wrote to his uncle Reb Moshe HaKohen Horenstein,[14] requesting him to become involved in the administration, saying that he personally doesn’t have the time, (as he is trying to help and save Russian Jewry).
He also asked Reb Alter Simchovitch he came for a visit to remain in Poland as the mashpia, and director of the yeshiva. Reb Alter did and they hired some additional staff, however, the climate once again began affecting his health, and after two months, he returned to Eretz Yisroel.[15]
Although he returned to Riga, his heart was in the yeshiva. So therefore when it came to deciding about the wedding of his daughter, to our Rebbe, he stated that the chuppa will be taking place in the courtyard of the yeshiva in Warsaw.[16]
The Rebbe Moves to Poland
After Pesach of the following year, the Rebbe began preparing for his trip/visit to Eretz Yisroel[17] and then he went to visit America for ten months.[18] When he returned to Riga in Elul of 5690 (1930), he expressed his deep desire to be in close proximity to the Yeshiva. Being that his work on behalf of Russian Jewry demanded that he remain in Riga, ee therefore discussed the feasibility of moving the oldest class/ a group of the most advanced students to Riga.
The Rebbe instructed Reb Yehudah Eber to test the students and see how this could work out. Reb Yehudah, together with the administration concluded that almost all of the students and their parents wouldn’t want to leave Poland. So once again the discussion began, can they find a suitable place for the Rebbe to live in Poland, near the yeshiva.
It took a few years, but in Elul of 5693 (1933), the Rebbe moved to Warsaw/Otwock.[19]
However, unlike in Lubavitch, where the yeshiva was in the Rebbe’s courtyard, here it wasn’t. So the saying of the maamorim was different also. Every Shabbos before kabbalas Shabbos the Rebbe said a maamar in his house, and only the older talmidim were allowed to be present. On Yoma dipagra’s, such as Yud Tes Kislev and Purim, he said it in the yeshiva for all of the students.
Friday night those students would review the maamar with the mashpia, and on Shabbos morning they would come back to the Rebbe and repeat it to him, sometimes asking for clarifications. Then Shabbos afternoon after mincha, they would review it in shul for all to hear.
His secretary Reb Chatsha Feigin wrote to Reb Yisroel Jacobson, it is noticeable how the move to Waesaw, is giving life to the Rebbe. Some of the maamorim were said for almost two hours and they were difficult ones. It is like it used to be in Lubavitch.
Two years later, in the summer of 5695 (1935), the Rebbe moved from Warsaw to Otwock, (one of its outlaying suburb) and the yeshiva also moved there, to a complex of a few buildings, that had 34 rooms. Not only was there more room for the yeshiva to grow, but they felt that the fresh air in the countryside setting was beneficial for the students.
This became the permanent place of the yeshiva, until it ceased to exist in 5699 (1938) because of WWII.[20]
This weeks post is in zechus the complete and immediate recovery of my sister Chaya Rivkah bas Cheyena, together with all those who are in need of a brocha. A hearty mazal tov to my niece Cheyena (Chenny) bas Reb Yonah a”h on her engagement to Moshe Hus.
Rabbi Avtzon is a veteran mechanech and the author of numerous books on the Rebbeim and their chassidim. He can be contacted at avtzonbooks@gmail.com
[1] When the Rebbe affirmed the yeshiva, he noted that there should be a vaad in charge of the yeshiva. The members should be Reb DovBer Moshe Shmotkin, his son Reb Schneur Zalman and Reb Shrage Feivish Zalmanov. They should add/choose another two individuals. Igros kodesh vol. 14 letter 5053-4 P. ==. After the petira of Reb DovBer Moshe, Reb Yechiel Tzvi Gurary who left Russia in 5685 (1925) was appointed to replace him on the vaad.
[2] He is known as Reb Boruch Polishe, as he originally came from Warsaw, Poland.
[3] From the notes of Reb Berel Rivkin who was in Rostov at that time.
[4] His full name was Reb Chaim Alter Nissan Shimon Simchovitch.
[5] Igros kodesh of the Frierdiker Rebbe, vol. 1, p. 160.
[6] The reason for this long delay is he walked through the frozen forest in middle of the winter, and part of his foot became frost-bitten. He ended up in a hospital in Vilna, and they had to amputate part of it.
[7] He remained there for two and a half years, however, the humid climate was not go for his health and the doctors advised him to go to Eretz Yisroel. At that time the Rebbe instructed him to go and become the mashpia in Toras Emes, in Yerushalayim.
[8] As the Yeshiva grew they hired additional maggidei shiur. The highest class was given by Reb Avrohom Shimon Engel from Zilchov and Reb Avrohom Naftali Goldberg and others Reb Hirsh (Tzvi Meir) Stashover and Reb Dovid Teitelbaum. Reb Dovid was a Kotzker Chossid, who later was appointed by chassidim as their Rebbe.
[9] Author’s note: I believe this number is including the students that were learning in the Vilna branch as well.
[10] On the ground floor was the kitchen and dining room. There were 5 classrooms on the second floor and the beds were on the third floor. They would daven in the attached building.
[11] Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Kotlarsky parents were Kotzker chassidim, and the Kotzker Rebbe advised them to send their son (and others) to Lubavitch. Rabbi Yosef Menachem Mendel Tennenbaum davened in the same shul as Reb Dovid and that is how he ended up in Tomchei Tmimim.
[13] For the next year, the yeshiva was able to sustain itself with this help. But the following year was the great depression and it severely affected the yeshiva’s income/budget.
[14] He was married to Harrabonis Chaya Mushka, the youngest daughter of the Rebbe Maharash. A few years later, their son, HaRav Menachem Mendel, married the Frierdiker Rebbe’s youngest daughter, Harabbonis Shaina.
[15] He returned to Toras Emes and served as the mashpia until his petira ten years later on the 7th of Nissan 5689 (1929).
[16] See above, “The Royal Wedding.”
[17] See below/ above “A visit to Eretz Yisroel.”
[18] See below/ above “A visit to America.”
[19] Although he was in Riga for almost six years, he wrote on his stationary, Riga, (temporarily).
[20] See below, “The Miraculous Escape.”
