Commemorating The Yartzeit of Rabbi Dovid Wichnin OBM

The following was written as a forward commemorating the life and legacy of Rabbi Dovid Wichnin OBM, by Nachman Dov & Rochel Wichnin and published in honor of his Yartzeit today.

The famous Sochatchover Rebbe known by the name of his Sefer ‘Avnei Nezer’ once paid a surprise visit to one of his wealthy Chasidim living in Warsaw. At the time the Alter Rebbe’s portrait had been made available for the first time to the public for purchase and this chassid bought a picture and hung it on his wall. As his Rebbe was coming in to the house the chassid suddenly remembered that his Rebbe was strongly opposed to hanging up portraits. Not having the time to take it down he frantically tried covering it up and taking his Rebbe on an alternative route through the house. The Rebbe noticed this and asked him ‘what are you hiding there? What are you trying to avoid?’. Asked directly he had to admit that he had bought a picture of the Alter Rebbe. The Avnei Nezer asked to see the picture. He looked at the picture and said ‘I can see the Alter Rebbe in his Shulchan Aruch and his Sefer Tanya.’

As HASHEM blessed us to reach the momentous occasion of our Dovid’s Bar Mitzvah, we wanted to share with our guests, family and friends a portrait of Dovid’s namesake, his grandfather Rabbi Dovid Wichnin OBM. A proper biography of Rabbi Wichnin is yet to have been authored and there are many facets of his life that have to be properly described. He was a dedicated Shliach, a true Chossid, an exemplary teacher, a Lamdan of great caliber, a noble Rov and a true friend and listening ear to many.

Rabbi Wichnin OBM can be “seen” through how he expressed himself. Over the years Rabbi Wichnin wrote many articles that were published in the English section of “The Yiddishe Heim” a quarterly published by Nshei Ubnos Chabad partially in Yiddish and partially in English. Through these these articles one can get a glimpse of who he was and what he was.

The English section had the great Zechus that its articles were generally edited by the Rebbe who, in many instances, corrected ideas or wordings of these articles in his holy handwriting. In his articles, Rabbi Wichnin wrote and shared about timely issues and things that he understood to be important and relevant to the community. At times the Rebbe made certain subtle changes, sometimes taking out full paragraphs and at times even saying that a particular article isn’t something that has to be emphasized at this time.

A little less than 2 months ago on the Seventeenth of Cheshvan we were stunned by the passing of Mrs. Mala Wichnin הכ”מ Rabbi Wichnin’s life companion. Dovid’s grandmother was a woman of great stature who was very educated and dedicated her life to teaching and making a palpable difference in the lives of the students she taught. One of the most important things in her life though was the constant awareness of that which her husband taught and shared whether in writing or in classes and Farbrengens that were recorded. Whenever the yearly cycle of Tanya study reached the times when it was Rabbi Wichnin’s turn to be heard on the pre-recorded Tanya phone Shiurim she made a point of listening and reminding her sons שיחיו to listen, and if there was an article or a recording that was relevant to the particular time or situation it was of utmost importance to read or listen. As great as she was. she made herself “transparent” to the ideas and points that her husband related. So, a good biography about her would also have to be made up of Rabbi Wichnin’s teachings.

As we are celebrating Dovid’s Bar Mitzvah we want to express sincere Shevach Vehodoaa to HASHEM from the depth of our hearts for bringing us to this milestone, and we are asking that he should continue to take care of Dovid and our whole family. Words can’t express our gratitude to Abba and Mommy and our grandparents for everything we have is from them. May they be showered from above with an abundance of blessings of health, Nachas and happiness. A huge Yasher Koach shout-out goes to Chaim Muss and all the Chassidishe Bochurim at Rebbe Responsa for making this booklet a reality against the odds.

We find ourselves in very trying times for our people. Our minds and hearts are with the Yidden in Eretz Yisroel. We cry for their spilled blood, we Daven for the complete healing of all those wounded, the safety and wellbeing of the Yidden in Eretz Yisroel and all around the world and are anxiously waiting for the return of all the captives.

We cry out to HASHEM, tonight we are doing Teshuvah! We are pining to return to you more than ever. Please instead of us having to fast tomorrow morning, let Asarah Beteves be transformed in to the Yom Tov it is meant to be. Send us Moshiach NOW!

Nachman Dov & Rochel Wichnin
The 10th of Teves, 5784

To learn more about Rabbi Wichnin OBM Click Here!