Originally from Warsaw, R. Shilem Reich married Rivkah, daughter of R’ Boruch Sholom, the Tzemach Tzedek’s son. He had a close relationship with the Chidushei Harim of Ger, who helped the couple get a bracha from the Tzemach Tzedek for children.
Originally from Warsaw, Poland, R. Meshulam (Shilem) Reich (c. 5594-5669) married Rivkah, the daughter of Harav Boruch Sholom, the eldest son of the Tzemach Tzedek.
R. Shilem lived in Warsaw for a period, and had a close relationship with the Chidushei Harim of Ger. He published a number of Chabad seforim, and served as a shadar for Colel Chabad.
*
The Frierdiker Rebbe described Simchas Torah in Lubavitch, during the years that R. Shilem lived there:
“The custom was that on Simchas Torah davening began at 8 am and would finish at 11. After davening, they would make kiddush, and then my father, the Rebbe Rashab, and his brother, the Raza, would go to the home of R. Shilem. The walk to R. Shilem’s house was with much joy, with singing and dancing, disregarding the mud in the streets.”
*
The Chidushei Harim of Ger would often ask R. Shilem about the Tzemach Tzedek and Chassidus Chabad.
Once, R. Shilem quoted an explanation from the Alter Rebbe in Likutei Torah, but the Chidushei Harim said that it can’t be, since he’s fluent in Likutei Torah and he doesn’t recall it. R. Shilem directed him to the section on Shir Hashirim, of which the Chidushei Harim had been unaware. The Chidushei Harim asked to borrow it and he later said that he learned from it only when he had “pure thoughts.”
On another occasion, the Chidushei Harim asked whether the Tzemach Tzedek used twelve challos on Shabbos and wore a kittel to the seder. When R. Shilem replied in the negative to both practices, the Chidushei Harim replied, “The Tzemach Tzedek studied by great Rebbes; we can only imitate our Rebbes.”
*
R. Shilem and his wife didn’t have children for many years. Once, while in Warsaw, his wife pleaded with the Chidushei Harim and didn’t want to leave until she would get a promise. The Chidushei Harim told her to ask her grandfather, the Tzemach Tzedek, since he can help her without a doubt if he wishes, and he told her to say so in his name. She relayed the message to the Tzemach Tzedek and she was indeed blessed with a child.
For sources, visit TheWeeklyFarbrengen.com
Discussion
We appreciate your feedback. If you have any additional information to contribute to this article, it will be added below.