Originally a chossid of the Magen Avos of Kopust, after his passing, R. Mendel Leib Abramson became a chossid of the Rebbe Rashab and Frierdiker Rebbe. He was deeply involved in the mesiras nefesh work in Soviet Russia directed by the Frierdiker Rebbe, and was killed by the communists al kidush Hashem in 5697.

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As a youth, R. Mendel Leib was a genius, and coupled with exceptional hasmada, he reached great heights. Local maskilim would taunt him for his “wasted talents” spent in Torah. His parents were concerned that he would be ensnared, so they sent him off to be a yoishev in Kopust.

In addition to his own learning, R. Mendel Leib would deliver a daily Gemara Shiur, over the course of which he completed Shas several times. His knowledge of Chassidus was also exceptional, and he could repeat the Likutei Torah word for word.

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R. Zalman Leib Astulin recalled a Purim spent in the company of R. Mendel Leib:

When I entered, he invited me to say l’chaim with him, quoting Shulchan Aruch that the drinking on Purim need not take place during the meal. After drinking several cups, he wished to start the meal early, since the Rema writes that most of the Purim meal should take place during the daytime.

On his way to the sink, he remembered what the Rema writes to learn a bit before the meal. He immediately pulled out a Bava Basra from the shelf and spent some time analyzing a sugya and even shared an original comment on a Rashbam. He then closed the sefer and proceeded to wash.

We then sat down for the seuda, and R. Mendel said many more l’chaims, though he remained fully lucid. Whenever he drank, words of Torah and chassidishe stories flowed from him, and he never lost his composure.

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During the time when the Frierdiker Rebbe was in Moscow, R. Mendel Leib’s financial situation was so poor that he could not afford the few kopecks for the trolley to visit the Rebbe. Instead, he would make the long trek on foot.

Arriving at yechidus, he presented the Rebbe with a 3-page pann. After the Rebbe answered all the questions, R. Mendel Leib began to exit, but the Rebbe called him back, “This is all about ruchniyus; what about gashmiyus?”

“I don’t care about gashmiyus,” he said. The Rebbe smiled and said to him, “You don’t care, but it’s very important to me.” After that, his situation improved somewhat.