Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: A reader shared with me that he asked a business acquaintance why he has a large picture of the Rebbe hanging in his house. “Because I’m a big fan of his!” he answered proudly. But in that case, he asked, isn’t it wrong to hang it alongside that huge TV screen? “Eh, the Rebbe is so big; he doesn’t mind.”
‘Rebbe, I Don’t Come Because I’m Always Dirty…’
Article by Rabbi Zalman Vishedski: Approaching the Rebbe during dollars after a long absence, the Rebbe asked Nachum gently, “Vu bistu?” Where have you been? Nachum explained that he hadn’t come because he was always dirty from work. The Rebbe responded: “Kum vi du bist, ober kum,” come as you are, but come.
New Photo: The Rebbe in Warsaw
Following the write-up about the Rebbe in the news, we are pleased to bring you an unseen picture of the Rebbe accompanying the Frierdiker Rebbe on his journey from Vienna to Warsaw in 5695 (1935). Additional research confirms the exact date of the photo.
News Reports about the Rebbe in Riga and Vienna
In honor of Gimmel Tammuz, the latest installment of “From the Margins of Chabad History” presents two newspaper articles featuring the Rebbe, from the period before the nesius. One article describes the Tishrei with the Rebbe in Riga, 5690, and the second contains interviews with both the Rebbe and Frierdiker Rebbe.
He Loved Dikduk and Taught it to the Frierdiker Rebbe
A chazzan, baal keriah, and an expert in dikduk, R. Yitzchok Gershon Itson served as the Frierdiker Rebbe’s melamed for this subject. He knew the meaning of even the most obscure selichos and kinos, he could get animated about a piyyut like a lamdan discussing a long, complex Tosefos.
Crowds Gathered as He Taught Chassidus in the Marketplace
A chossid of the Mitteler Rebbe and a leader of the chassidim in Kremenchug, Reb Baruch Tamares was a flowing spring of Chassidus who would sit on a large rock or crate in the middle of the market and begin speaking Chassidus, as crowds of chassidim and ordinary people gathered around him.
The London Chabad Dayan Who Wrote Books in English and French
Who is the only Chabad chasid to have served on the London Beis Din? Who was the first Lubavitcher to write a book in English? Who was the first Lubavitcher to write a book in French? The answer to all of these questions is the same: Harav Moshe Avigdor Chaikin. Ahead of his 97th yahrtzeit, ‘From the Margins of Chabad History’ tells his story.
He Was Deep in Thought When the Wagon Drove Away
One of the Alter Rebbe’s great chassidim, Reb Binyomin Kletzker could become deeply engrossed in Chassidus and oblivious to what was happening around him. Once, while thinking Chassidus in the marketplace, the wagon he was leaning on drove off – and he only noticed when it was time for mincha.
The Chossid Whose Love for Another Yid Knew No Bounds
A devout oved, Reb Chanoch Hendel Kugel was known for his heartfelt ahavas Yisroel and midos tovos. When R’ Chonye Marozov was released from draft service, Reb Hendel could not contain his joy, and when a fire burned some homes in Lubavitch, Reb Hendel cried bitterly until he could not contain it anymore.
Converts in Chabad History: From Russian Villages to Tokyo, Japan
In honor of Shavuos, a Yom Tov associated with geirim, From the Margins of Chabad History explores fascinating stories of geirei tzedek with a Chabad connection, from isolated Russian villages to Tokyo, Japan.
They Sustained the Farbrengen and He Gave Them Children
Having learned in Lubavitch for eight years, R’ Pinye Schreiber “Rakshiker” became a shochet and mashpia, and was famous for his avodas Hashem. When two Lubavitcher women went out into the Russian night to buy mashke for a chassidishe farbrengen, he bentched them with children – and it was fulfilled.
The Rebbe Rashab Admired His Truth and Humility
A grandson of the Tzemach Tzedek and a son of R’ Yisrael Noach, R. Avraham Schneersohn settled in Kishinev and refused to become Rebbe. His daughter married the Frierdiker Rebbe, and the Rebbe Rashab held him in high esteem.
Rare Account of Chassidishe Life in Chabad Kopust
From the Margins of Chabad History: A native of Kopust gives us an intimate and vivid picture of the chatzer of the Kopuster Rebbe, describing the holy ceremony of a maamar chasidus and the conduct of the great chasidim. Presented in honor of the Kopuster Rebbe’s 125 yahrtzeit.
He Slept in His Clothing So He Could Quickly Greet Moshiach
A chossid of the Tzemach Tzedek and the Rebbe Rashab, R. Avraham Klatzkin was a famous rov and gaon. Having an incredible anticipation for Moshiach, he would sleep half-dressed in his clothing so that he would be able to quickly run to greet Moshiach.
Interview with Senior Chabad Editor on 2,000th Magazine
Exclusive Interview: Ahead of the 2,000th issue of Sichat HaShavua, the pioneering weekly publication of Chabad in Eretz Yisroel and the world’s largest Shabbos publication, Anash.org spoke to its master editor, Rabbi Menachem Brod, on Chabad journalism, horaos from the Rebbe, and how to address sensitive topics.
He Wouldn’t Call a Doctor When Someone Got Sick
A chossid of Tzemach Tzedek, Rebbe Maharash, and Rebbe Rashab, R. Abba Tshashniker served as a melamed in his hometown before settling in Lubavitch. When someone of his family fell ill, he would simply give tzedaka, and the Tzemach Tzedek approved of the practice – for him alone.
How Do You Carry?
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: For as long as we know, Yidden have always carried their tallis and tefillin under their arm, the way something precious, like a child, is carried. Sacks of food or other items get tossed over the shoulder. Only in recent years has it become popular to carry tallis and tefillin with a strap over the shoulder.
Rare Recording Discusses Girls Education, School on Sunday
Illustration photo
Illustration photo
In honor of the yahrzeit of Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Aizik Chodakov, Anash.org presents a rare and fascinating recording and transcript of a 5736 conversation in his office with a concerned father about the institution of Sunday classes in Beis Rivkah.
The Simple Builder’s Iluy Born with the Rebbe’s Bracha
From the Margins of Chabad History: The wondrous story of R. Moshe Ronin, the son of a simple builder who became a rosh yeshivah of Tomchei Temimim in Schedrin and an important rov.
The Excitable Kopuster Who Ended up in Lubavitch
Norn near Nevel to a family of Kopust Chabad chassidim, Reb Michoel Dvorkin traveled to Lubavitch and became a staunch mekushar to the Rebbe Rashab. The Frierdiker Rebbe said about him that he was really a “Kopuster” – emotional and excitable – who ended up in Lubavitch…