Just hours after reaching a momentous decision on the proper inscription for the new matzeiva of Harav Shneur, the grandson of the Mittler Rebbe, a piece of the very matzeiva was discovered. Additionally, a piece of the matzeiva of Harav Levi Yitzchak’s grandfather was also uncovered.

By Anash.org reporter

Just hours after reaching a momentous and weighty decision on the proper inscription for the new matzeiva, shliach to Lubavitch Rabbi Gavriel Gordon made a dramatic discovery. While combing through the earth in the cemetery of Lubavitch, he uncovered another important piece of the matzeiva of Harav Shneur, the grandson of the Mittler Rebbe (through his son Reb Nochum) and son-in-law of the Tzemach Tzedek – the very matzeiva he had been reconstructing.

Additionally, Rabbi Gordon discovered a piece of the matzeiva of Harav Boruch Sholom, the son of the Tzemach Tzedek and grandfather of the Gaon and Mekubal Harav Levi Yitzchak, the Rebbe’s father.

Little is known about Reb Shneur, but the fact that the Frierdiker Rebbe referred to him with the title “Kvod Kedushas Admor” shows he was highly esteemed. At his wedding, his uncle and father-in-law, the Tzemach Tzedek, suddenly called for complete silence because the Alter Rebbe was coming to bless the chosson – a remarkable event, especially many years after the Alter Rebbe’s passing.

Historically, the Ohel in Lubavitch included, besides the Tzemach Tzedek and the Rebbe Maharash, the burial sites of Harav Boruch Sholom, the young son of the Rebbe Maharash Avraham Sender, and Reb Shneur. The absence of Reb Shneur’s kever in the Ohel led to the conclusion that the current Ohel structure is smaller than the original size.

For the past several months, work has been underway at the Ohel complex to accurately reconstruct it as it existed before World War II, when the Ohel and the adjacent zal were completely destroyed. Particular focus was placed on determining the precise locations of the kvorim and matzeivos.

In recent days, several Chabad rabbonim and historians debated the proper wording for the inscription on a new matzeiva for Harav Shneur, with guidance from Rabbi Yitzchak Yehuda Yeruslavsky, Rabbi Yochanan Gurary, and Rabbi Moshe Havlin to adhere to the titles used by the Frierdiker Rebbe. In 5779 (2019), one part of his matzeiva was found, but the main section containing his name was missing.

Deciding was difficult due to differing titles in various sources. Just before last Shabbos, a consensus was reached on the appropriate text, and part of it had already been sent to the tombstone workshop in Smolensk pending final confirmation.

Then, this Sunday, another piece of the matzeiva was discovered, causing great excitement among everyone involved and greatly easing the decision regarding the inscription.

“The fact that literally hours after we were debating what titles to use to reconstruct the matzeiva, an additional piece of the original matzeiva was found is nothing short of miraculous,” Rabbi Gordon told Anash.org. “It was hashgacha pratis in the clearest sense.”

There is still an additional piece of the matzeiva yet to be found. The main addition in the newly discovered piece is that Reb Shneur’s name is now visible. The upper part of the matzeiva with his initial titles, as well as one line between the new upper section and the previously discovered lower section, is still missing.

The reconstructed text so far reads:

“רודף צדקה וחסד י”א מוה’ שניאור זלה”ה בן הרב חסיד ועניו יר”א [וה….] מוהר”ר מנחם [נחום] נכד אדמו”ר קדוש ה’ מרנא [ורבנא] דובער נבג”מ, וחתן אדמו”ר הגאון אמתי האלקי אור עולם קדוש ה’ מרנא ורבנא מנחם [מענדל] נבג”מ

The historical excavation and restoration work is supervised and guided by the Beis Din Rabonei Chabad in Eretz Yisroel and supported by the generous donation of philanthropist Reb Yosef Yitzchak Popack, with assistance from the organization Geder Avos, renowned for its efforts to preserve ancient gravesites in Europe.