A newly discovered letter by Reb Shimon Beliner, grandson of the mashpia Reb Michoel der Alter and a senior tomim in Lubavitch, to Reb Shlomo Aharon Kazarnovsky, then a young bochur in the Tomchei Temimim branch of Schedrin, offers a glimpse into the world of temimim at the time.
By Anash.org writer
A fascinating new letter from 5674 (1914), recently published in the Ginzaya Journal, offers a glimpse into the world of temimim at the time.
The letter was written by Reb Shimon Beliner, an older bochur learning at Tomchei Temimim in Lubavitch, and was addressed to Reb Shlomo Aharon Kazarnovsky and his friend, both of whom were several years younger and learning in Tomchei Temimim of Schedrin. Rabbi Kazarnovsky copied the letter into one of his personal manuscript seforim, which is now housed in the library of Agudas Chassidei Chabad, where the letter was found.
The author of the letter, Reb Shimon Beliner, was born on 12 Sivan 5654 (1894) in the Chassidic town of Nevel. He was a grandson of the famed mashpia in Tomchei Temimim, Reb Michoel Beliner, also known as Reb Michoel der Alter or Reb Michoel Nevler. Reb Shimon studied in the Tomchei Temimim for several years before marrying and eventually settling in Moscow, and later in Riga, Latvia.
He served for many years as a mashpia and teacher, giving shiurim to bochurim and children, and was deeply involved in community matters. Notably, he was the orev kablon (guarantor) on the tenaim of the Frierdiker Rebbe’s daughter, Rebbetzin Sheina, and R’ Menachem Mendel Horenstein. Despite the Frierdiker Rebbe’s efforts to secure visas for Reb Shimon and his family to escape Europe, they were murdered along with the rest of the Jewish community of Riga.
The recipient of the letter, Reb Shlomo Aharon Kazarnovsky, was born in 5657 (1897) in Mogilev. After studying in Tomchei Temimim for several years, he married and eventually moved to America. There, he became one of the foremost Lubavitch askonim in those early years. He was instrumental in purchasing the building of 770, the Lubavitch section of the cemetery where the Ohel is located, and the Rebbe’s house on President Street. He later served as the director of the board of Agudas Chassidei Chabad.
The letter appears to be a response to a request by the two younger bochurim for guidance in avodas Hashem. Reb Shimon, then a senior bochur in Lubavitch, replied with a warm and detailed message, offering personal and practical advice on how to live as a chossid.
In his letter, he warns them against being swept up in the desire for new and exciting ideas. He encourages them to be focused on what they need to do and not to chase after image or status in avoda: “A young man feels in his pure heart a constant restlessness—he cannot be at ease, not even for a moment. He craves novelty and is unsatisfied with steady, prolonged work, especially when it brings him no immediate pleasure or personal delight.”
Instead of getting lost in spiritual fantasies, he advises anchoring oneself in steady kabolas ol: “Just do what’s expected of you. You’re not here to finish the job… Accustom yourselves to living with kabolas ol malchus Shomayim at all times — as you walk, as you lie down and rise (take this to heart), as you sit, and even while eating.”
On the topic of learning, he urged them not to waste even a few minutes: “Don’t give up fifteen minutes of learning just to schmooze about chassidishe inyonim. If you need time to talk, find a time for it.” He emphasized the importance of davening with sincerity, writing that it is “a holy time to pour out all the feelings of your heart to the Master of All.”
Toward the end of the letter, Reb Shimon adds a caring, personal touch: “Where are you eating? Where are you sleeping? What are you learning and when? Please write to me your full schedule from the moment you wake up until you go to sleep.” He then concludes, “And if you ever find yourself needing advice about any area of life, don’t hesitate to ask me. Don’t worry about being a burden. If it’s coming from the heart – ask.”
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Wonderful