‘Oy! I Haven’t Finished Shas Yet!’ Remembering Rabbi Dovid Wichnin

When Rabbi Chaim Dovid Wichnin, Rosh Yeshivah of Tiferes Bachurim in Morristown and Rov of Anash in Monsey, was notified that he had a deadly illness, his first concern was “Oy! But I haven’t finished Shas yet!”

By Anash.org staff

Rabbi Chaim Dovid Nota Wichnin AH was born in the chassidishe town of Bobruisk on the 28th of Menachem-Av 5698 (1938). His father, Rabbi Nachman Dov, was known in Lubavitch as Berel Schedriner, named after his hometown of Schedrin, the village built by the Tzemach Tzedek to help Jews support themselves by developing the land.

After WWII broke out, the family escaped to Samarkand where his mother and sister perished in 5702 (1941) due to the hunger and sicknesses that prevailed in the city. Rabbi Wichnin and his father left the Soviet Union along with hundreds of other Chassidim posing as Polish citizens wishing to return back home after the war. They lived in Hallein, Austria, and then moved on to France where he studied in the new Lubavitcher Yeshiva in Brunoy under Reb Nissen Nemanov.

They later moved to Montreal, Canada in 5711-1951. Rabbi Wichnin enrolled in the Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva where he excelled in his learning. He was also recalled by his peers at the Yeshiva for his stellar personality. The next year he first traveled to the Rebbe for Tishrei 5712. In 5723 (1962) Chaim Dovid married Mala Zebrovitch and moved to Brooklyn, NY. There, together, they started a lifelong journey of teaching and educating in many Yeshivos and schools.

In 5731/1971, the Wichnins moved to Boston, where he served as principal of the Lubavitch Yeshiva. There he developed a close relationship with the late Rav Yoshe Ber Soloveichik, with the latter serving as sandek to Rabbi Wichnin’s son, Rabbi Yisroel Noach Wichnin, currently living in Yerushalayim.

​In 5737 (1976), he was called upon to serve as the Rosh Yeshivah of Tiferes Bachurim in Morristown, NJ where he taught, inspired, and uplifted many hundreds of students and their families until his passing on the 26th or Tammuz 5755 (1995).

During this time, he also was the founding Rav of Congregation Tzemach Tzedek – Lubavitch in Monsey, NY, where often his former students in Morristown would move to, just to be close to him. It was said that neither talmid in Morristown nor congregant in Monsey knew about the other responsibilities that he had, so devoted was he to both of his shlichus.​ In Monsey, he was a beacon of light, being mekadesh shem Lubavitch among frum Jews.

Rabbi Wichnin also used his pen to share contemporary hashkafa, and he published numerous articles in the English section of Di Yiddishe Heim. A collection of his articles can be found here.

During Tishrei of 5753/1992, Rabbi Wichnin was diagnosed with yenne machla, which he battled fiercely for some two and a half years, until his passing on this day in 5755 (1995). His son R’ Nachman Dov shared that his reaction to hearing that unwelcome news from his doctor was, “Oy! I haven’t finished shas yet.”

Rabbi Wichnin is fondly remembered by his students and congregants for his wise advice, compassionate heart, and listening ear. His broad knowledge, coupled with his sense of humor, drew many to him. He guided and helped people, from all walks of life, spiritually, and materially. In his own unique style, he made a point of connecting to everyone at their level and as a Chassid-Par-Excellence he made a lasting impression on those who met him. Decades later, he is still sorely missed by those whom he influenced.