Weekly Story: Beis Nissan – The Histalkus of the Rebbe Rashab

by Rabbi Sholom DovBer Avtzon

The response to the publication of the 648 page biography on the Rebbe Rashab was overwhelmingly positive, and I thank the numerous people who expressed their appreciation for the book and project in general. At the same time, although as noted in the Introduction of the biography, I intentionally didn’t write certain aspects of his life, as I felt it may become too long, however, while working on the biography of the Frierdiker Rebbe, I realized, I missed out two vital points.

So in order to complete it, I will note them here and incorporate them in the 2 volumes of the biography of the Frierdiker Rebbe.

His Communal Work.

While his communal involvement is discussed at length, throughout the book, I did not grasp properly the extent of it. The Frierdiker Rebbe writes in a letter (Igros kodesh vol.===) that in 5650 (1890) the Rov of Kovno, Reb Yitzchok Elchonon told Baron Gunsberg that he (and the maskilim that he is part of) will not dictate to the observant Jew how the yeshivos, chadorim should teach. In retaliation, Baron Gunsberg withdrew all the financial support he was giving to religious groups.

The Rebbe Rashab then assumed responsibility of 80% of the shortfall of all mosdos chinuch, including of other chassidim and even the Litvishe.

That is impressive no matter what his situation would be, but as noted in the biography, at that time there was no money in Beis HaRav. The situation was so dire that the Rebbe had to borrow money for his personal expenses, and wasn’t able to pay his son the money he promised him for each Mishna he learns baal peh. But notwithstanding his personal financial difficulties, he covered the tremendous deficit of numerous yeshivos and mosdos for almost thirty years!

One should also realize the difficulties the Rebbe had to overcome in order to accomplish this. In general the Rebbe was adverse to travel and fundraise. The first time he did it for his own yeshiva was in 5668 (1908), eleven years after the yeshiva was established, when he went to Petersburgh for this purpose. In a letter he notes that it was against his nature to do so, but that the situation was so dire that he had no choice.

Also it is a testament to the greatness of his chassidim and supporters. As noted throughout the biography, the yeshivos and other Jewish causes were not allowed to open up bank accounts, or give receipts for donations, which made it extremely difficult to raise the necessary funding. Yet, he raised phenomenal sums of money and gave it to other yeshivos, without demanding anything from them in return.

This brings out the philosophy of the Rebbeim, that Lubavitch is not a mafleigah (party). Rather that Lubavitch is concerned about every Jew, and would do whatever it takes to help.

Speaking Russian

In the Rebbe’s first maamar of Basi L’Gani, the Rebbe mentioned a story of mesiras nefesh of each of the Rebbeim. Concerning the Rebbe Rashab, he note that although he did not speak Russian fluently, and his brother Reb Zalman Aharon (the Raza) did, nevertheless there was a situation that he felt it was necessary for him to speak with the officials, instead of sending his brother on his behalf.

I thought this meant that he simply did not speak Russian or other languages with ease and prose. But nevertheless, he felt that his ‘broken’ Russian, being that it came from his heart, will make a stronger impression on the officials.

However, I saw a letter from the Frierdiker Rebbe that states that he heard his father, the Rebbe Rashab, speak sophisticated French and that he was fluent in other languages as well. Out of curiosity, he asked him, “If you are able to speak those languages fluently, most probably you can also speak Russian fluently. So why don’t you?”

The Rebbe Rashab gave him four answers. The first three he said, he was instructed not to repeat. But he can tell us the fourth answer; “Just imagine if the Jews would know that I can give a powerful and persuasive speech in Russian. I wouldn’t have a free moment. Every situation would demand my attention. But now that I don’t speak Russian, I am not bothered [and can take care of what I feel needs my attention].

This week’s post is l’zechus a complete and immediate refuah to my sister Chaya Rivka bas Cheyena and all those who are in need of a brocha.

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