כ״ט אדר ה׳תשפ״ו | March 18, 2026

Remembering Reb Moshe Rubin on His 30th Yahrtzeit

For over fifty years, Reb Moshe Rubin served faithfully as a dedicated Shochet and devoted Mashpia in Montreal. Above all, he was a man who loved to daven.

For over fifty years, Reb Moshe Rubin served faithfully as a dedicated Shochet and devoted Mashpia in Montreal. Above all, he was a man who loved to daven.

People in shul would observe him immersed in tefillah for long stretches of time. But his children experienced something even more intimate — his Birchos Hashachar in the quiet, early morning hours at home, day after day, throughout the year.

At times, we may have felt that we had already “graduated” beyond these “beginner” brochos — that they were somehow elementary compared to Pesukei D’Zimra, Shema, and Shemoneh Esrei.

But not for Reb Moshe.

He poured his entire heart and soul into these foundational blessings. To him, they were anything but simple.

While many quickly move through the opening pages of the siddur, Reb Moshe lingered. Each beracha was expressed with warmth, love, and clarity — every word articulated aloud with deep kavanah, reminiscent of the intensity of Neilahon Yom Kippur.

His voice would build with energy, rising toward a powerful crescendo at Birchos HaTorah, culminating in the majestic recitation of Eilu Devarim — the mitzvos whose fruits we enjoy in this world, while the principal remains for the World to Come.

Then, wrapped in his tallis, his voice would soften into the gentle, flowing melody of “Mah Yakar Chasdecha.”

Years later, as a grandfather, Zaidy Moshe would gather his grandchildren close, encouraging them to answer “Amen!” to each and every beracha — drawing them into the living rhythm of his avodah.

Reb Moshe embodied the words of Tehillim (39:4), engraved on his matzeivah Roshei Teivos Chabad
“חם לבי בקרבי, בהגיגי תבער אש, דברתי בלשוני”
“My heart burns within me; as I speak, a fire is kindled.”

His fiery tefillah was not merely heard — it was felt.

There is a beautiful story that captures this essence.

On one occasion, the Rebbe gave Reb Moshe Kos Shel Bracha — twice. The Rebbe explained: “Reb Moshe, ir zogt doch yeden vort tzvay mohl — you say every word in davening twice. I am giving you a blessing twice.”

This was Reb Moshe — never rushing, always absorbing, repeating, savoring each word of tefillah.

He would constantly seek to chap arain — to “catch” another opportunity: another Kedusha, another Amen, another Amen Yehei Shmei Rabba, moving from minyan to minyan with a deep thirst for connection.

Today’s Hayom Yom – 29 Adar fits Reb Moshe’s sensitive heart, helping others.

In responding to l’chayim there are two versions:

(a) L’chayim tovim u’leshalom — “for a good life and for peace.” The reason for this blessing is that the first time drinking wine is mentioned in the Torah, there were undesirable results — “Noach began…” Likewise, the Tree of Knowledge was a grapevine. Therefore, we extend the blessing that this wine should bring a good life.

(b) The Maggid of Mezritch would respond l’chayim u’livracha. Once, at a farbrengen, the Alter Rebbe also used this expression. Afterwards, chassidim discussed this phrase, which they had not heard before.

One chassid suggested: Since “when wine enters, secrets emerge,” which in avodah means that the emotions are revealed, we need a blessing for this revelation — that it be for good. Thus, l’chayim u’livracha can also be read as lev rach — a soft, sensitive heart.

The Tzemach Tzedek commented: Such an interpretation could only be offered by a chassid who has davened and labored in avodah for thirty years.

Reb Moshe Rubin, z”l — whose passionate Birchos HaTorah and heartfelt davening continue to reverberate — remains a living inspiration.

On his 30th yartzeit, 29 Adar, may his fiery avodah ignite within us a deeper appreciation for every word of tefillah, every beracha, every “Amen.”

And may his shining example and enduring legacy bring us ever closer to Moshiach.

The family of Reb Moshe Rubin gathered for a special Zoom farbrengen in honor of his 30th yartzeit, observed on 29 Adar, Erev Rosh Chodesh Nissan.

In connection with this meaningful milestone, we have compiled a selection of his vertlach for you to learn from and enjoy.

We would also deeply appreciate it if you could share any personal stories, memories, or encounters you may have had with Reb Moshe.

[email protected]

Chanowitz, Rubin, Yuzevitch, Zaklos families

Vertlach

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19WCV9B7KzBkHWF5hy3AiEKDpfJr6QFm1/view?usp=sharing

Nigunim