He Bridged Between Ger and Lubavitch

Photo credit: Mycroyance on flickr
Photo credit: Mycroyance on flickr

Originally from Warsaw, R’ Shilem Reich married Rivkah, daughter of R’ Boruch Sholom, the Tzemach Tzedek‘s son. He had a close relationship with the Chidushei Harim of Ger, who helped the couple get a bracha from the Tzemach Tzedek for children.

When the Frierdiker Rebbe Countered Fake News

From the Margins of Chabad History: After fake news was spread regarding the Rebbe Rashab’s words about anti-frum activists, the Frierdiker Rebbe wrote a letter to set the record straight. This previously unknown letter is presented here for the first time, with the full background of the event.

He Saw Him Correct Mishnayos and Zohar in His Sleep

When Reb Mordechai Liepler needed a miracle to evade arrest, the Alter Rebbe referred him to his mechutan, Reb Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev. Reb Mordechai hid in the room and watched an incredible scene as Reb Levi Yitzchok corrected Mishnayos and Zohar in his sleep.

For Half an Hour, the Rebbe Hugged Him in Silence

One of the most famous and greatest Chabad chassidim, Reb Aizik Homiler was a chossid of the first three Chabad Rebbeim. At his final encounter with the Tzemach Tzedek, the Rebbe placed his head on Reb Aizik’s shoulder and stood in this position for half an hour, until he sent him off.

He Stayed Alive Not to Hurt Someone’s Feelings

A chossid and a Latvian diplomat, Reb Mordechai Dubin was an outstanding baal chessed who gave all his possessions and time for helping others. When he was on the verge of dying after being released from Soviet prison, he fought to live so that another Yid won’t feel guilty.

The Rebbe’s Shabbos Food Did Him No Harm

The Rov of Kremenchuk and a successful businessman Reb Yitzchak Yoel Refoelovitch was a chossid of the Rebbe Maharash, Rebbe Rashab, and the Frierdiker Rebbe. When the Rebbe Rashab assured him that the Shabbos food would do no harm, he broke his strict diet, but then he tried it at home…

He Sent a Blank Paper and the Rebbe Read It

A giant chossid of the Alter Rebbe, Reb Michel Opotzker was an outstanding gaon who was said to have ruach hakodesh. When he sent his student Rashbatz to the Tzemach Tzedek, he gave him a PaN to deliver – but there was nothing written on it.

“Rebbe, I Will Listen! Rebbe, Save Me!”

R. Yekusiel Deitsch of Dokshitz, affectionately known as “Kushe Dokshitzer,” was an Alef Beis melamed who taught the Frierdiker Rebbe. At first, his father-in-law implored the Tzemach Tzedek to allow him to do business, but when a wagonload fell over him, he realized that he wasn’t doing what the Rebbe really wanted.

“I’m on My Way to Lubavitch!”

Reb Yosef, the son of R. Yissochor Ber the rov of Lubavitch, was married to the Tzemach Tzedek’s aunt, and was affectionately known as “Der Feter Yossele” (Uncle Yossele). When chassidim found him sitting in the snow deep in thought, his answer surprised them.

She Pulled His Sleeve Out of a Pail of Water

Reb Yisroel Hofshtein, the Kozhnitzer Maggid, was a talmid of the Mezritcher Maggid and Reb Elimelech of Lizensk, and a great admirer of the Alter Rebbe. When a husband ran away and left his wife an aguna, the Kozhnitzer Maggid reunited them through a series of wondrous miracles.

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