A chronicler of American Jewish history, a talmid muvhak of Rav Yoseph B. Soleveitchik and a teacher of thousands, Rabbi Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff, visited 770 today. Today he is a teacher at the YU Kollel in Yerushalayim.
He was accompanied by Rabbi Arye Lieberman and Rabbi Nochum Zajac.
Rabbi Rakeffet was welcomed inside by Rabbi Mendel Eisenbach. Once inside, Rabbi Chaim Boruch Halberstam showed him the Rebbe’s room, known as Gan Eden HaElyon, after which he a toured the WLCC broadcasting room, from where the Rebbe’s farbrengens would be broadcast to the world.
Rabbi Rakkefet is known for his encyclopedic knowledge of Jewish history, including Chabad history. He had the zechus of attending a Farbrengen of the Rebbe in the 1950’s, and his admiration for Chabad’s work around the globe is well known.
At the Agudas Chasidei Chabad Library, Rabbi Rakeffet had the opportunity to discuss halacha and Chabad history with Chief Librarian Rabbi Berel Levin, who presented him with his latest sefer תיקוני מקוואות, Rabbi Rakeffet presented the library with his latest sefer Rakafot Aharon vol 4 .
Rabbi Rakeffet also visited with the Rebbe’s Mazkir, Rabbi Leibel Groner. The two had much to discuss regarding minhogei Chabad, as well as Chabad history.
The visit concluded with Rabbi Rakeffet davening Mincha downstairs in 770.