Weekly Story: American Soldiers

by Rabbi Sholom DovBer Avtzon

Before we begin with the story for this week, I would like to thank the numerous people that contacted me concerning the questions I posted last week.

I asked, being that the Hakriah V’Hakedusha began erev Rosh Hashanah, why does maamorei Yiddish which was taken from it, only begin with the maamar of the 8^th issue of erev rosh chodesh Iyar.

The answer is that the maamorim in the first seven issues were written in Loshon Hakodesh and not Yiddish. Then for some reason the Frierdiker Rebbe didn’t write a maamar for the issue of Chodesh Menachem Av of 5701 (1941), thus, the eight ‘missing’ maamorim.

Concerning the question of why the Hakriah V’Hakedusha suddenly stopped, I was told by a few people that the whole purpose of the Hakriah V’Hakedusha was to explain that the war was chevlei Moshiach, and now that Japan surrendered and the war came to an end, the Rebbe stopped publishing it.

I asked them, do you know this as a fact or is it an assumption? To this, the answer was this is what we heard, but we can’t say so definitively. Once again thank you for your feedback, it is greatly appreciated as well as beneficial.

Concerning the story of two weeks ago, about the student of the Munkatcher, two people informed me that it occurred in Brazil and not Argentina and that the Rov’s name was Rabbi Schwartz who published four seforim on the teachings of his Rebbe the Munkatcher (Minchas Eliezer), and that the story I posted, is printed in V’rabim heisiv meh’uhvoin.

Being that many people enjoy the story in the column, more than the articles, I will start off with a story I heard last Shabbos from Rabbi Nissim Mangel sheyichye.

A tzaddik once decided to travel to a distant city where many of his chassidim lived. When the chassidim heard that their Rebbe is coming, they cleaned the shul that it should sparkle, and on the day of his arrival, they all went to greet him at the outskirts of their city.

As soon as the wagon was noticed they rushed towards the wagon, unhitched the horses and began pulling the wagon themselves. They wanted to demonstrate their tremendous love to the Rebbe.

However, the Rebbe instructed them to stop. He explained, my entire purpose is to elevate a person who conducts himself like a horse to conduct himself as a person should behave. And now I am allowing people to act like horses???!!!

Now to our featured article. Note: Whenever we say Rebbe here it is referring to the Frierdiker Rebbe.

American Soldiers

Although the secretariat of the Rebbe tried to limit the number of people that came on any given day for yechidus, the Rebbe instructed them, not to push off a Jewish soldier that is coming to him for a brocha to return home safe and sound.

So although yechidus was scheduled for the evening hours of almost every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, if a soldier arrived at a different time or day, he was allowed in.[1] Indeed it was a common occurrence to see a soldier or a group of soldiers coming to receive a brocha from the Rebbe.

Mr. Milton [Yechiel Michel] Kramer signed up as a volunteer for the army and before his deployment, he came to the Rebbe for a brocha. The Rebbe told him that while he would be in the army, he would have to eat non-kosher foods and also won’t be able to abstain from work on Shabbos,[2] however, he should make sure to take his tefillin with him wherever he goes. He then promised him that if he will put it on every weekday, he will return healthy.[3] To some soldiers he gave them a coin to place in one of the corners of their tzitzis as a segulah/kemeyah (a protective shield).[4]

However, it was not just this one individual whose family helped the Rebbe so much[5] that received this promise; the Rebbe stated it in public for all to hear.

It is a tremendous mitzvah and holy obligation on each individual to publicize and inform each and every Jew, who finds himself in the armed forces, whether in the marines, army or airforce the following:

Our sages state whoever puts on tefillin, his days are lengthened.

Our brothers in the armed forces! Be careful to don tefillin every weekday.

The soldier that cannot put them on in the morning, should put them on in the afternoon, as long as it is before sunset.

This is a segulah that Hashem should help you return to your family in peace.[6]

To further bolster the morale of the soldiers, Machane Yisroel printed a letter of the Rebbe as a very small booklet (2 inches by 3 inches) which was mailed together with a letter of the Rebbe to each Jewish soldier that Machne Yisroel had his address, to place in his wallet.[7]  Additionally, every Jewish chaplain in the army received a packet of them to distribute to the Jewish soldiers in their unit.[8] He also published a booklet for them with the first parsha of Shema and a select few chapters of Tehillim.

Then before Rosh Hashana of 5703 (Sept 1942), he wrote a tefilla for the president of the United States and his advisors that was sent to shuls all over America, with the request that it be said.

The Rebbe also instructed Merkos Linyonei Chinuch to create a division that would be in contact with the Jewish servicemen to uplift their spirits and to supply them with reading and all their spiritual needs. If a soldier requested a pair of tefillin, it was to be given to him at no charge.[9]

As wounded soldiers began returning to America and were in convalescent hospitals for weeks and months at a time, the Rebbe established through Machane Yisroel a division to visit these soldiers to boost their morale as well as to see what could he supply them within their observance.

While many of the soldiers spoke fluent Yiddish, others were regular American boys who were more comfortable with speaking in English, so the Rebbe said it is preferable that an American-born person goes on these visitations, who could speak to every soldier.

In the winter/Teves of 5703 (1943),  the Rebbe asked Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Hecht (of Chicago) to create an organization with the purpose of providing kosher food to Jewish soldiers. Packages would be sent to every Jewish serviceman that requests it and that all the Jewish chaplains should be informed of the availability of this service.[10]

Two months later he informed the Rebbe that the Bnei Brith chapter in Chicago publicized that they were making a meal for the soldiers on March 14^th. He included their menu which was meat and dairy. Seeing that they were serving coffee and ice cream at the end of the fleishig meal, the Rebbe wrote to seven people and organizations to make sure that the Jewish soldiers are not served dairy after fleishigs.[11]

Initially, each person and organization explained why it is not his responsibility or that by certain bylaws of the organization he can’t become involved, however, the Rebbe persevered. In the end they changed the menu from coffee and ice cream to soda and tea.  In addition, a memorandum from the headquarters of Bnei Brith was sent to all chapters throughout the United States that if they sponsor or even co-host an event for the Jewish soldiers it should adhere to the kosher dietary guidelines.

Rabbi Avtzon is a veteran mechanech and the author of numerous books on the Rebbeim and their chassidim. The above article is from his notes on the Frierdiker Rebbe’s two-volume biography. He can be contacted at avtzonbooks@gmail.com

[1] I heard that once during a farbrengen there was incessant knocking on the door, and after the Rebbe stopped speaking, and the chassidim began a niggun, two people went to see who is knocking. Seeing that it was a soldier they didn’t want to allow him in. However, the soldier didn’t allow them to close the door on him and the Rebbe heard the commotion.

He asked what is happening, and one chossid replied, a soldier wants to come in, but they don’t want extra people in the room, as not to make the Rebbe uncomfortable. The Rebbe responded, “Let him enter, no Jew makes me uncomfortable!”

[2] See the Rebbe’s letter (later on in this chapter), where he explains to the Jewish soldiers, that although they have to do “work” on Shabbos, they don’t allow them to do something that is prohibited if it is for personal benefit.

[3] His daughter, Mrs. Ellen Gross told me that he was the only Jew in his group and once his group was under heavy bombardment, and all the men thought that this is their end. All of a sudden, a soldier from a different bunker jumped into his bunker and said, “Milton, we made a straw decision/lottery, and I was chosen to tell you, ‘Put on your boxes and pray for all of us, then we will be safe.’” Boruch Hashem they survived.

[4] Igros Kodesh vol. 7, p. 6.

[5] His father was known as Chazak, Chaim Schneur Zalman Kramer, who was pivotal in the Rebbe’s rescue from Poland and coming to America, See above “The Rescue of the Rebbe.”

[6] Igros Kodesh of our Rebbe, Vol. 1, p. 185.

[7] The following is a copy of that letter

By the grace of G‑d
Elul, 5704

COURAGE AND SAFETY THROUGH FAITH AND TRUST IN G‑D!

A Message to the Jewish Members of the Armed Forces

Based upon a talk with
Rabbi Joseph I. Schneersohn
the Lubavitcher Rabbi

Fellow Jews in the armed forces, in the camps, at the fronts, on land, sea, and in the air!

Listen to these words and reflect upon them, and you will, with G‑d’s help, gain courage and enhance the safety of your life and health.

Everything is in G‑d’s Hands!

You must know, dear brethren, that the life and health of every man is in G‑d’s hands. G‑d guides the destinies of every man, and whatever happens to him, in all places and at all times, is predestined by G‑d.

If it is G‑d’s will that a person should live and be happy, that person will surely escape unscathed even under the most dangerous circumstances. Conversely, if it be divinely destined that a person be harmed or die, that person cannot escape his fate even in the safest of places and under the best human care.

This does not mean that one should be careless about one’s safety. On the contrary. G‑d has ordained that man should take care of himself, in the natural way, and, as our Torah tells us, no person should wantonly jeopardize his health or safety.

For although G‑d can save, in the most miraculous and supernatural way, any person He desires so to save, very special merits are required for such divine favor. Therefore, anyone placing oneself in danger for no good reason is foolhardy and deserving of the consequences, since, in the first place, he can never know whether he merits such ‘special’ divine favor; and in the second place, by the sin of exposing himself to danger without justification, he minimizes his chances of a miraculous rescue.

When, therefore, a person finds himself in danger, he should realize that it was divinely destined so, and that whatever the danger, G‑d can save him from it.

Moreover, precisely the dangers to which the soldier is often exposed give him an opportunity to see G‑d’s wonders at every step, and to become more firmly convinced how complete and absolute is the Divine guidance by which G‑d takes care of each living being.

Consequently, no man should lose heart under any circumstances. He should pray to G‑d and trust Him to save his life and protect his health.

All For You!

You ought to derive much courage also from the knowledge that all your fellow Jews, men and women, young and old, all pray to G‑d for your safety. Their prayers together with yours will surely be accepted.

Faith—the Basis of Confidence

The degree of hope and confidence possessed by a Jew depends upon the strength of his faith.

The very faithful Jew is always full of hope, and consequently, he is calm and courageous under the most trying circumstances.

Faith is innately implanted in every Jew’s heart. Even the Jew who has strayed from the Jewish path by reason of a faulty Jewish education and upbringing, even he retains a spark of faith deep in his heart. This spark may lie dormant for a long time until the occasion arises when it is suddenly kindled, and then it might well turn into a blazing flame of passionate Jewish faith. The occasion might be the revelation of some sacred truth of the Torah hitherto unknown to him, or finding himself in surroundings conducive to a mood of heartfelt prayer, or the performance of some Mitzvah (precept), or any other occasion causing him to reflect upon his spiritual standard, and touching off that latent spark of faith in his heart. On such occasion he suddenly finds his intellect very clear and his heart overflowing with warmth, seeking expression in sincere prayer, earnest study of the Torah, careful observance of the Shabbos, selflessness and humility. These in turn strengthen his faith in G‑d and in the Torah, and this faith breeds courage and confidence.

Jewish soldiers! Give your faith a chance to grow within you—and you will gain courage and happiness!

Some Spiritual Dangers

Let us now consider some of the spiritual dangers to which a Jewish soldier is frequently exposed, which we shall presently point out. However, like any other Jew who is given the choice of free will with regard to the observance of his religion, the soldier can and must likewise be master of his will, and, with G‑d’s help, may overcome all spiritual trials confronting him in the course of his military service.

Of the spiritual dangers to which the Jewish soldier is particularly vulnerable, we shall mention but two general causes:

1. Being removed from his home atmosphere and finding himself in a new environment, often lacking adequate spiritual guidance, may have an undesirable effect upon the standard of his religious conduct.
2. Being obliged, in the course of his army duties, to disregard, on occasion, some Jewish law, the Jewish soldier might form the false impression that he is automatically absolved from the fulfillment of any Jewish laws, even when and where there is no military necessity to preclude him from their observance.

Every Jewish soldier should bear in mind that a Jew must remain loyal to his faith under all circumstances and at all times, and that when he is sometimes obliged to transgress some Jewish law, he is not absolved from fulfilling it the next time.

You should remember, for instance, that you must not do any personal work on Shabbos, such as writing letters, sewing, etc.

Your Opportunity!

On the other hand, army life gives you an opportunity to fulfill some precepts of our Torah to a degree rarely afforded to a civilian. To wit, the precept of “thou shalt love thy neighbor like thyself,” which, according to our great master and sage, Hilel Hazaken, is the very core of our Torah.

In this spirit of love and comradeship which pervades our armed forces, forged as it is by sharing common experiences, common dangers, and by fighting for a common cause and ideals, you have a truly unique opportunity of helping your comrades-at-arms both materially and spiritually, and especially to strengthen the faith and religious observance of your fellow Jewish soldiers.

* * *

Read this Message Frequently!

Jewish soldier, marine and flyer! Take out this message now and again, read it and reflect upon it. You will surely, with the help of G‑d, derive great moral strength from it; and it will increase your faith and calm your heart.

And if a feeling of apprehension or fear of the future sometimes creeps into your heart, G‑d forbid, remember what we have just told you. Read this message over again, and let your religious consciousness get the better of you. It will be a source of renewed hope, renewed strength and fortitude to you.

We wish you a safe and speedy return home, every one of you with a distinguished service record, both as a Jew and as an American. May we all soon merit the fulfillment of the prophetic vision of true peace and tranquility, when “nation shall not lift up sword against nation, nor shall they learn war anymore” (Isa. 2:4), with the coming of the Complete Redemption through our Righteous Messiah.

L’alter L’Teshuvo
L’alter L’Geulo!

Through immediate repentance to immediate Redemption!

Machne Israel
770 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn 13, N. Y.

The following Psalms have been suggested by the Lubavitcher Rabbi, Rabbi Joseph I. Schneersohn as particularly appropriate for recital by members of the armed forces. Whatever the mood—a direct, encouraging and appealing message will be found in these few sacred Psalms. Read them frequently and carefully.

[The four kapitlach selected by the Frierdiker Rebbe were 20, 23, 91 (prefaced by the possuk Viyhi Noam), and 121, followed by Shema[7] until Uvish’arecha. A note appears in Yiddish stating that saying these kapitlach and Shema does not take the place of davening.]

[8] Igros Kodesh of our Rebbe vol. 1 p. 185.

[9] Author’s note: I wasn’t able to explain why certain functions with the soldiers were under Merkos and other functions were a division of Machane.

[10] Igros Kodesh vol. 7, p. 119.

[11] Igros Kodesh vol. 7, p. 160.