Today: Birthday of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka

Today, the 25th of Adar, is the birthday of Rebbetzin Chaya (Moussia) Mushka Schneerson, OBM, wife of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

Chaya (Moussia) Mushka Schneersohn was born in the Russian town of Lubavitch, on the 25th of Adar in 1901. She was the second daughter of the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak (the Frierdiker Rebbe) and his wife, Rebbetzin Nechama Dina Schneersohn. From her earliest years, she absorbed the purity and holiness that surrounded her in the house of her grandfather (the Rebbe Rashab) and her father.

Her striking regal bearing, her gentle sense of humor, and her compassionate consideration and sensitive manner endeared her to all, as illustrated in the following story:

In May 1940, the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin fled to Nice, France from the Nazis, YMS. In the course of their flight, there was a devastating bombardment. As people ran in every direction, she noticed an explosive shell heading towards a man next to her. Quickly pushing him to the ground, the Rebbetzin saved the man’s life. Recounting this story, the Rebbetzin said: “True, I saved his life, but for pushing a Jew one must repent.”

The extraordinary respect that the Rebbe accorded to the Rebbetzin gives us a glimpse of her true stature.
Once, the Lubavitch Women’s Organization sent her a bouquet of flowers together with a list of individuals for whom blessings were requested. Setting aside the flowers for the Rebbetzin, the secretary passed the letter to the Rebbe who, observing that it was addressed to his wife, asked his secretary to give it to her, saying: “She too is capable of giving blessings.”